The FA Cup is back and we have a massive Quarter Final tie between two of the top 7 Premier League clubs as Wolves host Manchester United for a place to Wembley!
Wolves this season have established themselves as the best team outside the big 6 in England sitting 7th in the Premier League and making a good FA Cup run making this game one of their biggest games as a club in years!
Man Utd of course under Solskjaer have had a complete revitalisation winning most of their games and playing some of the best football overall in 2019 across all leagues in the world.
Wolves made the Quarters by knocking out Liverpool, Shrewsbury and Bristol City. Although the latter two are lower league, Wolves have already made sure that one of the big boys are out in Liverpool when they beat them 2-1 at home.
Man Utd have had probably the toughest run in the competition from the remaining teams. They beat Reading 2-0, but then went on to win 1-3 away to Arsenal and 0-2 away at Chelsea knocking out two of the big 6 teams already.
Wolves are showing some tremendous form entering this game having lost just 1 of their last 11 games (6W 4D). Wolves are coming off a 1-1 draw away at Chelsea last week as they were denied a win by a late Eden Hazard strike in what was overall a very impressive defensive performance at a big away ground where they nearly snatched all 3 points.
Man Utd as mentioned under Solskjaer are playing exceptional football. Despite losing last week to Arsenal 2-0, United have 15 wins from 19 games under their current manager and that loss was more likely just a blip more than anything else and Man Utd are expected to return back to normal again.
Wolves have massively improved their home form. After being sluggish at home early in the season, they’ve now won 5 of their last 6 at Mollineux (1 Draw) and have scored 15 goals in the run.
Man Utd have been playing unbelievable on their travels under Solskjaer. Despite losing at the Emirates last week, United have a 9W 0D 1L away record under Ole, it was a defeat that snapped a 9 game win streak away from home for them. United will seek to start a new win streak on their travels at Mollineux this weekend.
Wolves this season have been extremely impressive in big games. They’ve beaten Chelsea, Liverpool, Tottenham and have picked up draws against Man Utd, Arsenal, Man City and also Chelsea in the other meeting against them. Wolves record against the big 6 this season in the league and cup is 3W 4D 2L. 2 losses from 9 sums up their toughness against the big boys.
The player to watch from Wolves has to be Raul Jimenez. 14 goals this season overall, currently in fantastic form having scored 7 in his last 10 games and he scored at Chelsea last week. Jimenez has been good in big games too, he’s scored twice against Chelsea, twice against Spurs and has a goal against Liverpool.
Paul Pogba is the man to watch for Man Utd. The man has been on an absolute tear ever since Ole took over and although he had an off game last week, expect a bounce back. Lukaku is another danger man in form (6 goals in last 4 apps), but he’s doubtful to play.
Man Utd and Wolves met once this season which was at Old Trafford and Wolves held their own in a 1-1 draw early in the season. Both teams have definitely made massive strides improvement wise since that meeting.
This is the first meeting between these sides at Mollineux since 2012, the year where Wolves were horrendous in the Premier League. Man Utd smashed them 0-5 that time.
Man Utd are favoured to win at 2.34 while Wolves are offered at 3.35 with draw priced at 3.35 by bookies. Man Utd are tipped at 1.68, Wolves 2.25 to reach the next round. Odds are quite similar since Wolves are at home to no surprise. Odds based on Unibet.
Team News
Wolves: Ryan Bennett is available despite his suspension in the league. Wolves don’t have any serious injury concerns and Nuno is expected to field the strongest team he can.
Manchester United: Romelu Lukaku is doubtful to play while Ashley Young is suspended. Lingard and Herrera could return and Phil Jones is likely to be available after an illness.
Betting Stats
*Stats will be based off Premier League to make it as accurate as possible.
Wolves have covered 33.3% of their total goal overs at home (5-10).
Wolves have covered 33.3% of their total 1st half goal overs at home (5-4-6).
Wolves average 1.93 bookings per game at home (29 bookings in 15 games).
Raul Jimenez is Wolves top scorer at home with 8 home goals this season.
Wolves have covered 53.3% of their Handicaps at home this season (8-1-6).
Wolves have only covered 26.7% of their 1st half Handicaps at home however (4-2-9). Better 2nd half team.
Man Utd have covered 68.8% of their total goal overs away from home (11-5).
Man Utd have covered 56.2% of their total 1st half goal overs away from home (9-3-4)
Man Utd average 2.63 bookings per game away from home in the BPL this season (42 bookings in 16 games).
Lukaku is Man Utd’s top scorer away from home with 8 away goals. Martial and Rashford have 6 each.
Man Utd have covered 62.5% of their Handicaps away from home this season (10-6).
Man Utd have covered 50% of their 1st half Handicaps away from home this season (8-8).
KICK OFF – 16th March 2019 – 7:55pm UK Time
.png?v=1.014689135)
