Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
Manchester United and Wolves face off at Molineux with a place in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake.
Wolves
Starting with the hosts, while Wolves may have suffered some late heartbreak last weekend thanks to Eden Hazard’s last-gasp equalizer at Stamford Bridge, the Oranges are still enjoying a very successful return to the Premier League. Now sat seventh in the table and firmly dreaming of bringing European football to Molineux, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side have lost just one of their last 11-matches across all competitions. The FA Cup has also been the stage for arguably Wolves’ most notable victory of the season. On route to booking their spot in the quarter-finals for the first time since 2003, Wolves picked up a very eye-catching 2-1 win over Liverpool in the fourth round. One man who has continued to shine for Saturday’s hosts is leading goalscorer Raul Jimenez. Finding the net against Chelsea last weekend, the 27-year-old has 16 goals for the season and has also now scored three in his last four against top-flight opposition.
Team News
Wolves centre-back Ryan Bennett is available, despite currently serving a two-match Premier League ban, and could replace Romain Saiss.
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo has no fresh injury concerns.
Manchester United
As for the visitors, after suffering their first domestic defeat under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates last weekend, many are interested to see how Manchester United respond on Saturday. Still firmly believing that they can secure a top-four finish in the Premier League this season, the mood in the Reds’ camp should also be boosted by their dramatic 3-1 win away at PSG that saw them book their spot in the quarter-finals of this year’s Champions League. Despite failing to find the net against Arsenal last time out, the first time they had done that in 22 away games, United’s impressive form away from Old Trafford has played a huge part in their resurge. Prior to last weekends defeat in the capital, Solskjaer’s side had won their previous nine away matches, a run that also saw them defeat the likes of PSG, Tottenham, and Chelsea.
Team News
Manchester United’s in-form forward Romelu Lukaku is a doubt because of a sore foot.
Ashley Young is suspended but Phil Jones is fit after illness, while Jesse Lingard and Ander Herrera have returned to training and could be involved.
Key Factors to Consider
- This is the 100th meeting between the sides in all competitions. United, then known as Newton Heath, won the first game 10-1 in a home league game in October 1892.
- United have won four of the eight previous FA Cup meetings, with Wolves winning twice.
- Matt Doherty has been involved in five FA Cup goals this season (three goals and two assists), more than any other player among the teams left in the competition.
- Manchester United have won the FA Cup 12 times, just one fewer than record holders Arsenal.
- United are appearing in their fifth successive FA Cup quarter-final. However, they are looking to reach consecutive semi-finals for the first time since 2003-04 and 2004-05.
Conclusion
While both sides do play a very eye-catching style of attacking play, Wolves and United have struggled to record a clean sheet over the past few weeks. With their last eight combined matches seeing either side record just a single clean sheet, we’re expecting chances at both ends on Saturday night. Backing both teams to score at Molineux seems like the smartest bet here.
Verdict: Both teams to score
Best Odds: 3/4
Bookmaker: Bet365
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