Verdict: Over 2.5 Goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmakers: Bet 365
Chief providers of League Cup magic this season Bristol City welcome Premier League giants Manchester United to the Ashton Gate Stadium for a quarter-final clash in Carabao Cup. The Robins have been sensational thus far in the cup, beating three Premier League teams already and scoring 14 times in four games. Manchester United meanwhile have breezed to this point, and have been in stunning form in the Premier League. This could be the toughest test that Bristol City will face all season, but their great form will give them every chance to pull off a giant killing here.
Bristol City
The Robins are having a great season in the Championship, and currently sit third in the table, four points off the second automatic promotion place. With only three defeats this season, Lee Johnson’s side have been difficult to beat, and they have been scoring goals with ease during this campaign. 36 goals in 22 games makes them the second highest scorers inside the top seven, but it is in defence where they have fallen down, resulting in seven league draws. Clean sheets have been relatively scarce for the Robins in the league, but they have been utterly imperious in the cup.
On their way to the quarter-finals City have already beaten three Premier League sides, though they started with a 5-0 dismantling of Plymouth Argyle. Subsequent victories over Watford, Stoke and Crystal Palace, giving them a total of 14 goals throughout the competition so far, have established the Robins as real contenders to progress, and they certainly shouldn’t be consider minnows. Their ability to find the back of the net consistently should allow them to give United a tremendous game, and their tradition of high scoring affairs in the cup should continue.
Team News
Callum O’Dowda will face a late fitness test in order to be ready for this game. Milan Djuric however will miss out for over a month following his recent surgery
Manchester United
Jesse Lingard said this week that Manchester United would be top of the Premier League in any other season. As wildly irrelevant as that statement is, the winger does have a point. United’s eternal rivals Manchester City have been sensational this season, but Jose Mourinho’s men have been far from bad themselves. With 39 goals scored in 18 games, and only three league defeats during this campaign, United have established themselves as the front-runners for second spot. They currently have a three point lead over third place Chelsea, and their imperious defensive ability has allowed them to grind out results even when they haven’t played well.
The Red Devils have also made their run to the League Cup quarter-finals look easy with a 4-1 win over Burton Albion, followed by a 0-2 away defeat of Swansea. Mourinho is a manager who famously takes cup competitions incredibly seriously, and United will look to defend their crown with vigour. The prospect of being knockout out by lower league opposition is also something that will fire up the players, and it is difficult to see the Premier League giants being defeated in this game.
Team News
Marcos Rojo made a return from a head injury last weekend, but he will likely miss out in this fixture. Antonio Valencia looked to have picked up a hamstring injury, but that appears not to be the case and he should feature in this game.
Michael Carrick, Marouane Fellaini and Eric Bailly are all out with long-term injuries.
Key Factors to Consider
- Manchester United have scored six goals in their two League Cup games so far.
- The Red Devils have also conceded just once across the two games.
- Bristol City have scored 14 times in their four League Cup games.
- The Robins have conceded three times across the four games.
- Bristol City have beaten three Premier League teams on their way to the quarter-final.
Conclusion
This game presents an intriguing prospect. Bristol City have been scoring goals for fun in the Carabao Cup, and have already beaten three Premier League sides on their way to this point. Manchester United meanwhile will likely give a number of fringe players a chance in this game, but when those fringe players are the likes of Zlatan Ibrahimovic it is likely that they will still bag a few goals. Mourinho takes cup competitions seriously, and this could be a high scoring game as a result.
Verdict: Over 2.5 Goals
Best Odds: 3/5
Bookmakers: Bet 365
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