Big Game Focus: Manchester United v Wolves

A 0-0 draw at Molineux last Saturday leaves Manchester United and Wolves facing a replay for a place in the FA Cup fourth round. You can find odds on this game here.

This will be the sixth time that these sides have met in the last two seasons, with Wolves unbeaten in the last five encounters. However, four of those meetings have come at Molineux, and Manchester United have had far better luck on home turf in recent years.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side ended their winless start to 2020 with a comfortable 4-0 win over Norwich on Saturday, with all three of their strikers on target. Given their heavy defeat by neighbours City in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final last week, the FA Cup represents their only realistic chance of domestic silverware this season.

Since their remarkable comeback against Manchester City last month, Wolves have failed to win any of their last four games in all competitions. This will be their 38th game of the season and Nuno Espirito Santo will have to make changes to a line-up that is already suffering from fatigue.

Betting tips

United have won seven of their last ten games at Old Trafford. They have also won each of the last five FA Cup matches to take place there. Wolves have only won one of their last five games on the road. Back a Home Win at odds of 1.85.

Four of the Red Devils’ last six games have featured more goals in the first half, including each of the past three at Old Trafford. Likewise, there have been more goals scored before the break in five of their last seven FA Cup matches. There’s value in backing First Half With Most Goals at odds of 3.15.

Marcus Rashford is United’s leading scorer for the season with 19 goals in all competitions, and only Raheem Sterling has scored more for a Premier League side in 2019/20. He marked his 200th United appearance with a brace against Norwich on Saturday, meaning he has scored nine times in his last ten starts. The England forward is priced at odds of 2.05 to be on the scoresheet in 90 minutes tonight.

Team news

Solskjaer is likely to hand Sergio Romero his usual place as United’s goalkeeper in cup competitions, while club captain Ashley Young could return in defence. Tahith Chong, who started the game at Molineux, could also be given another chance to impress.

Morgan Gibbs-White was among the substitutes in Wolves’ draw with Newcastle and could make his long-awaited return from injury. Regular starters Jonny and Raul Jiminez are likely to be rested once again.

Possible line-ups

Man United: Romero, Young, Lindelof, Maguire, Williams, Chong, Matic, James, Greenwood, Rashford, Martial

Wolves: Ruddy, Dendoncker, Coady, Bennett, Doherty, Gibbs-White, Moutinho, Vinagre, Traore, Benson-Seal, Neto