Saturday 17th February 2018
Huddersfield v Manchester United 17:30
After a hectic period in the Premier League some of the teams can take a break as the focus switches back to the FA Cup this weekend, as we move into the Fifth round of matches.
At this stage we’ve 16 sides in with a chance of making the Wembley Final in May, of which 10 of those are top-flight sides teams – with Man City, Man Utd, Chelsea and Spurs the main players remaining.
Man City top the FA Cup outright betting at 3.00, with Man Utd 5.00, while Chelsea and Spurs are both priced at around 5.50 – with the other 12 sides 13.00 or bigger, this tells it’s own story and it will be a huge shock if one of this quartet isn’t lifting the Cup in 3 months time.
The main four sides have also managed to avoid each other in this round so there is a strong chance we’ll see them all progress into the Quarter-finals – they are all odds-on to win their this weekend’s clashes. Therefore, if they do all get through – it will be almost impossible for some of them to meet in the Qtr-finals. That said, this is the FA Cup and as we know the normal form book can easily go out of the window!
We’ve only two all-Premier League matches with West Brom hosting Southampton, while the other top-flight clash sees Huddersfield welcome Manchester United to the John Smith’s Stadium on Saturday.
The teams come into the match off the back of mixed league results as Huddersfield thrashed Bournemouth 4-1 at home last Sunday, while United were shocked by a 1-0 away defeat at the hands of struggling Newcastle. Which goes to show that when teams are desperate and fighting for their Premier League survival then shocks happen.
Okay, both sides will also have one eye on the league with Huddersfield’s sole aim this season being to avoid relegation, while Man Utd are very much in the race for a lucrative top four place.
However, with the FA Cup holders Arsenal already out of this season’s competition then Mourhino’s United will know that if they go all the way they will join level with the Gunners as the all-time winning FA Cup winners. The Gunners currently have 13 FA Cup victories, with Man Utd on 12. Spurs are back in third with 8 wins, while Chelsea, Liverpool and Villa are on 7.
How are the bookmakers pricing this one up? Despite having home advantage Huddersfield can be backed as big as 7.50 in the 90 mins match betting, with the draw 5.00 and Man Utd the strong favourites at 1.36.
Plus, the odds on Man Utd are even shorter in the ‘to qualify’ betting market with the Mourhino’s men at 1.12 and Huddersfield 6.00.
So – What do the stats say?
The teams have already played in the league this season at Old Trafford with the Red Devils winning that one 2-0. However, they’ve also met here at the John Smith’s Stadium and Huddersfield actually won that one 2-1!! Therefore, the Terriers certainly won’t be fazed by United’s star names rolling into town again and a repeat of that correct score can be backed at around 21.00.
In terms of the FA Cup, they last met in this competition back in 1963, with United winning that one easily 5-0, while their paths have crossed three times in the FA Cup – Huddersfield 1, Draw 0, Man Utd 2.
United have actually only lost one of their last 13 matches against Huddersfield.
Will there be goals? This is a tricky one to predict and the 2.5 Overs/Unders market backs this up with Over 2.5 goals 1.80 and Unders 2.00.
6 of the last 10 meetings have produced 3+ goals, while the last three head-to-heads at the John Smith’s Stadium also saw Over 2.5 goals to perhaps indicate 3+ goals just gets the nod.
Both teams ‘Failed’ to score in 3 of the last 4 clashes so at 1.66 this is another of the goal markets that might appeal, while United have won 3 of their last 4 games against Huddersfield ‘to nil’. You can support a United clean sheet at 1.83.
Romelu Lukaku has netted 12 league goals for the Red Devils this season so is their main scoring man at present, while Huddersfield’s Depoitre and Mounie lead the way for the Terriers with 5 league goals each.
With Mounie scoring last weekend in Huddersfield’s 4-1 win over Bournemouth, plus having 2 FA Cup goals already this season then he looks the home sides best chance of finding the back of the net.
Lukaku (2) and Lingard (2) lead the way for United in this competition this season.
It’s a match that team news will play a big part. Both teams have a lot to play for in the league still, but, having said that, an FA Cup Fifth round match at home to Man Utd is not to be over looked so we can expect Huddersfield to rise to the occasion and reward their home fans with a decent showing.
Huddersfield’s confidence will be on a high after last Sunday’s 4-1 league win, plus – don’t forget – they’ve already beaten United at home in the league this season.
Yes, United’s superior class should in the end see them through, but at 1.36 in the match betting and being away from home then there is certainly no value in wading in at that price, or even the 1.12 on them just qualifying. We’ll be looking for other options here.
6 of Huddersfield’s last 9 games went OVER 2.5 GOALS, including 3 of their last 4 at home. They’ve also scored 8 goals in their last two games so have clearly found their scoring form.
Therefore, it will be a shock if they are not on the score sheet here, especially with home advantage. Add in the firepower that United bring to the table then Over 2.5 goals at around 1.80 looks fair value to us.
BEST BET: OVER 2.5 GOALS @1.80
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Saturday 17th February 2018
Huddersfield Town v Manchester United 17:30
- Last met Premier League, Man Utd 2-0 Huddersfield
- Met in the league this season at John Smith’s Stadium, Huddersfield 2-1 Man Utd
- Played in the FA Cup 3 times, Huddersfield 1, Draw 0, Man Utd 2
- Last met in the FA Cup in 1963, Man Utd 5-0 Huddersfield
- Man Utd have lost just 1 of their last 13 games vs Huddersfield
- Both teams DIDN’T score in 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads
- Man Utd have won 3 of the last 4 head-to-heads ‘to nil’
- 6 of the last 10 head-to-heads went OVER 2.5 GOALS
- The last 3 head-to-heads at the John Smith’s Stadium went OVER 2.5 GOALS
- Lukaku (Man Utd) is their top league scorer this season (12 goals)
- Depoitre & Mounie (Huddersfield) is their top league scorers this season (5 goals)