Prediction: Huddersfield vs Manchester United

Verdict: Manchester United to Win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmakers: Bet 365

It’s an all Premier League affair as Huddersfield host Manchester United in the fifth round of the FA Cup. The Terriers have scraped through to this stage, needing a narrow win over Bolton and a replay against Birmingham City to book their place in the fifth round. United meanwhile have comfortably dispatched Derby County and Yeovil Town in the historic competition, and are the clear favourites heading into this clash.

Huddersfield

The Terriers are finding life in the Premier League fairly tricky, and are currently teetering on the edge of the relegation zone, with just one point separating them and the drop. Their issues have largely come as a result of their inability to defend, and they have conceded a whopping 47 league goals this season, which is the second highest tally.

David Wagner’s men haven’t fared much better at the other end of the pitch, with just 23 goals scored in 27 games, even after their crucial 4-1 demolition of Bournemouth at the weekend. That resulted ended a run of five consecutive league defeats, which had seen them sliding down the table at an alarming rate.

In the FA Cup Huddersfield have fared slightly better, but have needed a bit of luck to make it this far. A narrow 1-2 win away at Bolton and a 1-4 win in the fourth round replay against Birmingham have got them to this stage, but with Manchester United’s defensive record, coupled with the Terrier’s own dire record at the back, it is difficult to see them progressing any further.

Team News

The Terriers are facing somewhat of an injury crisis in defence, with Chris Lowe out with a groin issue, Tommy Smith recovering from a concussion and Jon Gorenc Stankovic still side-lined.

Elsewhere Elias Kachunga’s knee injury means he will miss this game, while Aaron Mooy and Laurent Depoitre are doubts with knee and foot issues respectively.

Manchester United 

There are two very different ways of examining Manchester United this season, with one seeing a huge number of positives and the other highlighting the negatives. Given that their last result was a 1-0 away defeat to Newcastle United, the negatives are perhaps more prevalent at present, and random spells of inconsistency have hampered the Red Devils during this campaign.

Over their last four games Jose Mourinho’s side have recorded two wins and clean sheets, as well as two losses without scoring a goal. In December they crashed out of the League Cup, losing 2-1 to Bristol City, and followed that up with three consecutive draws in the Premier League. Away from these spells they have been highly impressive, but their inability to stamp out results such as these has seen Manchester City run away with the league title.

On the other hand Mourinho’s men have the best defensive record in the top flight, having conceded just 19 times this season. Add to that their current league position of second, and the fact that they have reached the last 16 of the Champions League, with a chance to progress further, and it looks like a decent season. They have also reached this point in the FA Cup without conceding a goal, having seen off Derby 2-0 and Yeovil 0-4. For much of the season then they have been a formidable side, and should defeat Huddersfield fairly comfortably here.

Team News

Eric Bailly remains out for the long term with an ankle issue, while Daley Blind picked up a knock that could keep him out of this clash. Marouane Fellaini and Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s knee injuries will also side-line them for this game.

Ander Herrera will face a late fitness test as a result of a muscle problem, and Marcus Rashford is also in that boat.

Key Factors to Consider

• Huddersfield have won just one of their last nine games against Premier League opposition.
• The Terriers have also conceded seven goals in their last four games across all competitions.
• Manchester United are yet to conceded a goal in the FA Cup this season.
• The Red Devils have conceded just 19 goals in 27 games against top flight opposition this season.
• United won the meeting between these two teams 2-0 at the beginning of this month.

Conclusion

These two teams met not long ago in the Premier League and Manchester United ran out as comfortable 2-0 winners. It is difficult to see a different result here, despite the Red Devils’ latest defeat, especially given the fact that Huddersfield have just one win in their last nine games against top flight opposition.

Verdict: Manchester United to Win

Best Odds: 4/9

Bookmakers: Bet 365