There are some intriguing FA Cup replays on Tuesday night in a competition blown wide open by the shock departure of Chelsea and Man City.
The obvious beneficiaries are holders Arsenal and the resurgent Man United. The Red Devils are in action at home to Cambridge United who put up a plucky performance in a 0-0 draw to earn a replay. Bookmakers are giving the League two minnows little chance of joining Middlesbrough and Bradford as “giant-killers”. You can get 40-1 about the visitors and any value in this tie may be in going for United to rack up some goals.
They put three past Leicester in the first half at the weekend but did not add to their tally. Team selection is always difficult to anticipate for Cup ties but rumour has it that Wayne Rooney will lead the attack with Falcao and Van Persie on the bench. Whatever line-up Van Gaal opts for, United should be able to see off their rivals handsomely.
The best value bet of the day is arguably Sheffield United in their home replay against Preston. Nigel Clough’s side put up a brave fight in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup last week before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Tottenham. The Blades gave their supporters plenty to cheer about that night and have already accounted for Southampton and West Ham this season.
They also enjoyed a fine FA Cup run last season, beating Aston Villa and Fulham before losing to Hull in a pulsating semi-final. The prize on offer here is a possible home tie with Man United in the next round and that is an enticing prospect. Preston held their own in the reverse fixture but their league form is on the slide. The Blades look great value at around 6-4 to win in 90 minutes and could also be worth a flutter on the handicap market.
The final replay on Tuesday sees Gus Poyet’s Sunderland travel to Fulham. These two sides fought out a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, a result that was greeted with a chorus of boos from the home supporters. Poyet is focussed on keeping Sunderland in the Premiership and a 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday pulled them four points clear of the drop zone. There is still plenty of work to do but the fact that Jermain Defoe was on the score-sheet will have been a boost. His signing could prove pivotal to Sunderland’s survival prospects.
Fulham welcome back former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker who was absent for the first match but their in-form striker Ross McCormack is the danger man for Sunderland. He scored a hat-trick in the recent 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest and also scored in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last weekend. This looks a really tough one to call so I am siding with a draw at 90 minutes.
Sheffield United to beat Preston @29-20 BetVictor
Sheffield United (-1.0 handicap) @4-1 Paddy Power
Man United to win by 3 or more goals @4-5 Sky Bet
Fulham v Sunderland DRAW at 90 minutes @2-1 Bet365
