SATURDAY FA CUP: The Striker previews Saturday’s first FA Cup semi-final between MANCHESTER CITY v SHEFFIELD UNITED with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
MANCHESTER CITY V SHEFFIELD UNITED
4.45pm It’s FA Cup Semi-Final weekend at Wembley on BETDAQ Betting Exchange! We kick off the weekend with Manchester City taking on Sheffield United, and if you believe the betting odds we already know the winner! Manchester City are trading as short as 1.16 at the time of writing which must surely be the shortest price in an FA Cup Semi-Final for many years, maybe even since betting exchanges.
It’s hard to argue with the market here; Man City have been on fire lately. They broke their winning run with a 1-1 draw away to Bayern Munich in the second leg of the Champions League Quarter-Final on Wednesday night, but they only had to get through that 90 minutes without drama as they hammered Bayern 3-0 in the first leg. Their six results in all competitions before the 1-1 draw were; 7-0, 6-0, 4-1, 4-1, 3-0 and 3-1. This definitely might be a game Sheffield United fans want to hide behind the couch for!
That being said, football is a funny old game. Maybe we will see some “magic of the cup” here and a complete shock. Sheffield United are going well in the Championship this season, they currently sit in second and although they had no chance of catching Burnley who will lift the Championship title, their sole aim was getting automatic promotion to the Premier League – they have a six point gap over Middlesbrough and they have played the same number of games. They were outclassed recently away to Burnley, but other than that they have been winning – they’ve won five of their last six.
Obviously there is a massive gulf in class between the sides here, but Sheffield United do have good stats in the Championship. Their average xG created is 1.7 and they only concede an average of 1.0. Manchester City create an average of 2.4 in the Premier League and only concede the same as Sheffield United at 1.0. Perhaps Sheffield United would have a chance here if City haven’t been on fire lately, but they have been finishing the season like a train. They have all Arsenal fans worried at the moment no doubt, and all roads lead to that massive game between City and Arsenal next week.
You’d have to consider Guardiola maybe opting to rest some players here with the Arsenal game coming up. Obviously this is a big Semi-Final at Wembley, but City could easily rest three or four players and still be too strong. What’s more likely is maybe Guardiola names a strong XI and then opts to make subs at half-time or early in the second half when the game is won. I can’t see past a comfortable City win here, but I do feel Sheffield United can keep the score line respectable. I like a lay of Any Other Home Win (Man City to score four or more and win) in the Correct Score market at around 2.45. Sheffield United have been solid at the back this season, and I can’t see City chasing goals deep into the game with more important games coming up. They will cruise to a 2-0 or 3-0 win in my opinion.
The Striker Says:
Two points lay (liability) Any Other Home Win Correct Score at 2.45 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/MciShe
