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The Capital One Cup is pretty much the only chance for United to earn a trophy this season (aside from the Community shield which they won against Wigan). Out of the FA Cup, 14 points behind Arsenal in the Premier League and with slim chances in the Champions League, Moyes` side has mate the Capital One cup their main priority. However, United will have to come back from behind after the 1-2 result in the first leg against Sunderland.
United`s season has been disastrous so far overall and the question s are mounting over David Moyes’ capability to lead this club. Manchester lost 4 ouf their last 5 matches, most recently a loopsided 1-3 defeat against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge after previously getting a breath of fresh air with a 2-0 home win against Swansea. Despite the overall results and the hard criticism, United did have some moments of glory this year, most notably a 5-0 win in Germany against Leverkusen in late November and a 6 match winning streak in December. The winning streak came to an abrupt end with the above mentioned 4 losses in 5 games, mainly due to a really bad injury situation, which included Rooney and van Persie being sidelined.
Sunderland started the season absolutely horrible, but after Di Canio`s departure the team slowly recovered and is actually playing some solid football at the moment, you could argue that they are a top 10 side the way they are playing. Di Canio`s legacy still holds the Black cats in the relegation zone (19th place), but Sunderland lost just once in the last 10 games and in the last 4 matches they won 3 and drawn 1.
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Team news & lineups
United will continue to miss Van Persie alongside Vidic, Nani and Fellaini, while Evra and Ferdinand are questionable. Rooney could return, which would be a huge boost. Sunderland is close to a clean bill of health, with Westwood and Cuellar the only absentees. The two teams met twice this season, both meetings hosted by Sunderland, each team winning once with the same scoreline: 2-1.
Manchester United: De Gea – Rafael, Smalling, Evans, Evra – Carrick, Cleverley, Januzaj, Hernandez, Valencia – Welbeck
Sunderland: Mannone – Bardsley, Alonso, Brown, O’Shea – Cattermole, Larsson, Ki, Johnson – Borini, Altidore
I rate Sunderland very highly the way they are playing right now and by no means am I underestimating them, but I do think Manchester will win this and will do it with a result that will qualify them in the final. I think some of the criticism United faced this season was harsh, considering they did have some great moments and they were (and are) plagued by injuries. Without Rooney and Van Persie for some time now, the Devils should be able to have improved chemistry up front, while the defense and the midfield are more than competitive. Wayne could also play in the second half. Moyes stated that the team will do everything in their power to qualify, he will not rest any players and I think this United side will win by handicap today. Old Trafford is still a very tough place to play in, Sunderland lacks experience for these kind of matches and surely escaping relegation is their main concern at the moment. Look for United to keep it tight at the back and put some goals over the visitors. If Sunderland goes behind, they will open up and provide the hosts with more space to work with.
I am backing sheer quality, experience and motivation to be decisive here. My pick is United to cover the 1 goal handicap and I can see a result similar to the one in United’s last home game (vs. Swansea). Manchester United – Sunderland 2-0.
Pick: Manchester United (-1,5)
Odds: 2.05 @ Bet365
Stake: 8
Possible profit: 8.40
Event date: 22 January
Editor Facts
- Rostick won 8 tips and lost 6 tips with 1 void in January
