A lot had been made of Man United‘s failure to turn up away from home against the so-called Big Six this season.
But that was before they made the trip to the blue half of Manchester and ruined their rival’s title party celebrations by coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2.
Jose Mourinho has a great record of getting the job done in the Cup competitions, so it would be no surprise to see United win, but Spurs are rightly favourites to topple the Red Devils at their home for the season.
One concern is this match, which kicks off at 5.15pm on Saturday, turns into a chess game and isn’t the lively spectacle we’re all hoping for.
Team News
Jose Mourinho should restore Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic and Alexis Sanchez to the starting line-up after the trio were left out for United’s midweek win at Bournemouth.
But you never quite know what he’s going to do. He has confirmed he won’t name the same side that started in the win over the Cherries, when he made seven changes.
For Mauricio Pochettino‘s Spurs, Danny Rose (calf) and Kyle Walker-Peters (hamstring) are both doubts and midfielder Harry Winks will miss out with an ankle issue.
Kieran Trippier is expected to come in for Serge Aurier, who gave away a penalty in midweek, at right-back.
Betting Focus
I was all set to go for a Spurs win until I looked at the odds and at a shade over Evens I don’t think they represent much value.
It’s rare to see United at a price of 23/10 for a Wembley semi-final and it’s not like they’re playing Liverpool or Man City.
United have yet to concede a goal in this season’s competition, while Spurs rode their luck against the likes of lower league sides Newport and Rochdale, both of whom forced the Premier League side to replays.
On that basis, and Mourinho’s Cup record, I’m going to plump for United Draw No Bet in 90 minutes at 6/4. I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see them win and if it’s a stalemate we’ll at least get our money back.
Harry Kane is the most likely first goalscorer in this game but I’m going to play the prices and plump for United’s danger man Lukaku at an incredibly big 7/1 FGS.
I fancy him each-way at a third of the odds, giving us over 2/1 for him to net one of the first five goals in 90 mins.
For the third and final bet I like the look of 5/1 for the game to go to penalties. It could well be a tight affair and extra-time tends to be a fairly dull affair so 5s looks good to me.
Man United v Spurs Betting Tips
United Draw No Bet – 6/4 (Betfair – bet HERE)
Lukaku e/w FGS – 7/1 (Betfair – bet HERE)
Game to go to penalties – 5/1 (Bet365 – bet HERE)
Good luck and follow The Set Odds for more tips!
