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FA Cup replay; Reading v Man Utd with the bookmakers making Man Utd their 8/11 favourites
Added: (Mon Feb 26 2007)
The fixtures are coming thick and fast, especially for those teams in Europe, but it’s the unsettled FA Cup fifth round ties that are the focus this midweek.
Man Utd face a tricky trip to Reading after drawing 1-1 at Old Trafford ten days ago and the way Reading have improved this term Alex Ferguson’s side will have to dig deep if they want to keep their 22/1 treble-winning dreams alive.
The victors here will be rewarded with an away tie with either WBA or Boro, who play on Tuesday too, but for me whoever wins this live game will strongly fancy themselves of making the semis.
Man Utd are BestPrice 10/3 in the FA Cup outright market with Reading 33/1 and it goes without saying that those odds will plummet after we know who’s in the Qtr-finals and to me the price on United at this stage looks great value, so it’s time to get on!
The original tie at Old Trafford saw Michael Carrick’s strike cancelled out by Gunnasson in the second half to record the third 1-1 draw in their last six clashes. That same scoreline can be backed at around 6/1 and is worth a small interest in a bet that should at least give you a run for your money.
In all the sides have met a huge eleven times in this competition with United winning five, drawing five and only losing the one, while this season’s Premiership encounters ended 1-1 at Reading and 3-2 at Old Trafford.
The match betting suggests nothing but a win for the Manchester side at around 4/6 with the draw 5/2 and Reading 9/2, but I think at those prices United might just be worth taking on with this game possibly needing extra-time or pens. Reading have looked one of the most entertaining teams in the top-flight this season and have proved many critics wrong with their results. They are pushing for a European slot in sixth place and United will know that it’s mainly their home form that’s got them there – P 14 W9 D1 L4.
They do however come here off the back of a 2-1 away defeat at Boro last Saturday, but if they continue their home form and treat this as a ‘Nothing to Lose’ game then the pressure could mount on their visitors.
United are now seven games unbeaten in all competitions, winning six, but it was Reading who are the only team they didn’t beat in that run.
So, overall the draw at around 5/2 looks by far the safest option, and although I expect United’s class to see them through overall, I think Reading can frustrate the eleven-time winners on their home turf.
In the scoring markets backing Ronaldo, who is having the season of his life with 16 goals, at around 9/4 to score looks a cracking bet, especially after the winger has netting three against Reading this season already.
Recommended Bets
3pts Draw
3pts Man Utd to win FA Cup
1pt 1-1 Correct Score
Ronaldo to score at anytime
* All prices correct at time of writing.
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