Betting Tips and Previews: FA Cup

Berbatov will want to inspire Fulham to an FA Cup win over Manchester United

Berbatov (centre) will be hoping his much-criticised style of play comes back to haunt Sir Alex at Old Trafford

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United to march into fifth round over Fulham



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Manchester United Vs Fulham: Saturday 26th January, 5:30pm

After Bradford City shocked the denizens of the Holte End on Tuesday night to reach the final of the Capital One Cup, you would be hard pressed to find anyone who is not feeling a bit nostalgic for the glory days of cup competitions; giant-killings, David and Goliath-esque spectacles, unlikely heroes emerging forged from the fires of lower-league football.

While the Capital One Cup has offered us a tantalising glimpse of what may come to be regarded as a footballing fairy-tale – shrewdness over spending, and heart over history – the FA Cup this season (sponsored by Budweiser, lest we forget the gluttonous need for sponsorship the Beautiful Game has developed) may not throw up quite as many upsets; BetVictor are in fact offering 20/1 that any club from outside the Premier League lifts the trophy in May.

It is one of the two all-Premier League clashes that may prove to be the most interesting of the weekend’s games, in Fulham’s long trip up north to Old Trafford. Taking into account both teams’ form, it may also be a long trip back down to West London as well for the Cottagers. After a promising start to the season, which included a narrow 3-2 loss against United at Old Trafford, the sales of Moussa Dembélé and Clint Dempsey have destabilised Fulham to the point where they sit just six points off the relegation zone in the Premier League.

At the other end of the table, sitting comfortably at the top of the league, are their opponents for the game on Saturday. United have looked like champions elect at times this season, and it has become a fool’s game writing them off when they go a goal down. The shock acquisition of Robin van Persie at the start of the season has been a masterstroke, as his goals (22 in all competitions this season) have been instrumental in Sir Alex Ferguson’s quest for a second treble.

It is for these reasons United are favourites to continue their quest for silverware on Saturday. The Red Devils are 5/1 to win the cup with Coral, sharing the status of ‘favourite’ with Manchester City and Chelsea. Fulham seem to be in a state of free-fall at the minute, and the early promise their squad showed during August and September has all but disappeared. It is simply too much to ask that they will regain their feet against United and they remain long with many bookmakers, with Bet365 offering them at 11/1. A United win can be widely found for 2/7, but it isBetVictor and Paddy Power who offer the best options, placing the Reds at 3/10 on. The Handicap market may prove to be more fruitful in plumping for a home win, and with Bet365 offering United -1.5 at 31/40, it may just prove a winner if the Sir Alex Ferguson’s men put in the dominating performance they are capable of.

The Total Goals market may be tempting to many; three out of the last five fixtures between these two sides have yielded four or more goals. United have looked far from convincing at the back so far this season, and although the first-choice pairing of NemanjaVidic and Rio Ferdinand are back in action, Clint Dempsey’s late equaliser for Spurs on Sunday has done little to convince that the two are the plug to shore up a leaky ship. Combined with United’s explosive strike-force, we could beset for a flood of goals, making Sporting Bet’s offer of 5/4 on there being four or more goals in the game look extremely appealing. Meanwhile, Boylesports, Coral, and William Hill are backing both teams to score at 10/11. Fulham may be lacking in certain areas at the minute, but with the quality of Bryan Ruiz and DimitarBerbatov up front, don’t bet against them nabbing a goal.

Obviously, for Anytime Goalscorer you need look no further than Robin van Persie. As mentioned before, he is on a remarkable run of form at the moment, and if he plays, is the biggest goal threat that either team possess. Ladbrokes have the Dutchman at 4/6, which are fantastic odds for a player who just can’t seem to stop scoring. While the Dutchman is flying, it would be risky to take a chance on him being First Goalscorer; different scorers have been weighing in aplenty for United this season, including the notoriously goal-shy Patrice Evra. Elsewhere, don’t be surprised if DimitarBerbatov breaks into a sweat against his old team; the Bulgarian is due a goal and is Fulham’s main attacking threat and creative fulcrum. His goal-scoring prowess should not be in doubt, as he was the Premiership’s top scorer in 2010-2011 along with Carlos Tévez. William Hill, Coral, and Sky Bet place Berbatov at 4/1 to score anytime and considering he may have a point to prove at Old Trafford, this might be worth keeping an eye on.

A left-field bet that may just prove a winner could be NemanjaVidic for Anytime Goalscorer. Before last weekend, Fulham had conceded 11 goals from set-pieces, while United had scored 18 from them. The Cottagers will undoubtedly have a problem containing the powerful centre-back if Ferguson selects him, and with Vidic being placed at 8/1 with William Hill, it may just pay dividends to stick something on the big man.

Finally, for very good odds you can find United to win both halves at 7/4 with Coral. This seems a very good price for a result which does not seem outlandish in the slightest. Certainly, if Ferguson is as optimisticas he says he is of capturing another treble, he will be sending out a team that will not just win, but win the United way; with style, and by scoring a glut of goals in the process.

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Sam publishes regular feature and tips pieces for Howtobet4free. He has a blog, crackingjabulanis.blogspot.co.uk, and can be found on Twitter by following @Gaytski.

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Howtobet4free's Top Tips

Man United vs.
Fulham
Win a Half:
  Man United to Win Both Halves
(7/4)
Coral
Man United vs.
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Total Goals:
  4 Goals or More
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Man United vs.
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Anytime Goalscorer(s):
  Nemanja Vidic
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