Live on ITV1: Sun: 13:30. Chris Hutcheon previews Sunday’s eagerly awaited FA Cup third round clash at Old Trafford where he expects Man Utd to cause more Liverpool heartache.
Historically, Manchester United and Liverpool are two of the FA Cup’s most successful teams having lifted the famous old trophy a total 18 times between them, so when the pair were plucked in turn from the velvet bag around a month ago, few could dispute the Old Trafford showdown’s status as tie of the round.
Today’s mouth watering match-up is odds-on at 4/6 with Totesport to go the way of the hosts, which is hardly surprising given the formidable, unbeaten home record of Sir Alex Ferguson’s men and the contrasting fortunes of the beleaguered visitors, Ladbrokes’ 9/2 outsiders.
United have also won six out of their last seven home matches against Liverpool and even though both teams could make a few changes, the superior squad of the hosts means they have to be fancied to progress at the first attempt.
Kenny Dalgleish’s men have managed just six away goals in the Premiership and although two of those came against this weekend’s opponents, it would be no surprise to see United’s mean defence hold firm on this occasion to ensure the hosts prevail ‘to nil’ (6/4, Partybets). Subsequently, a decent case can be made for a 2-0 home success at 13/2 with Paddy Power, while a tally of fewer than 2.5 goals is also worth considering at 1.91 (10/11) courtesy of Betdaq.
Wayne Rooney grabbed his first goal of the campaign from open play at West Brom last weekend and will be well backed at 4/1 with Coral to break the deadlock if he is declared fit but Javier Hernandez could be given a run out following his opener against Stoke on Tuesday and the diminutive Mexican marksman is a marginally more attractive first-scorer proposition at 19/4 ().
Recommended Bets:
Man Utd to beat Liverpool ‘to nil’ – 6/4 (Partybets)
