Tag: Sheffield United

Sheffield United chasing more Cup glory

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

There are some intriguing FA Cup replays on Tuesday night in a competition blown wide open by the shock departure of Chelsea and Man City.

The obvious beneficiaries are holders Arsenal and the resurgent Man United. The Red Devils are in action at home to Cambridge United who put up a plucky performance in a 0-0 draw to earn a replay. Bookmakers are giving the League two minnows little chance of joining Middlesbrough and Bradford as “giant-killers”. You can get 40-1 about the visitors and any value in this tie may be in going for United to rack up some goals.

They put three past Leicester in the first half at the weekend but did not add to their tally. Team selection is always difficult to anticipate for Cup ties but rumour has it that Wayne Rooney will lead the attack with Falcao and Van Persie on the bench. Whatever line-up Van Gaal opts for, United should be able to see off their rivals handsomely.

The best value bet of the day is arguably Sheffield United in their home replay against Preston. Nigel Clough’s side put up a brave fight in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup last week before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Tottenham. The Blades gave their supporters plenty to cheer about that night and have already accounted for Southampton and West Ham this season.

They also enjoyed a fine FA Cup run last season, beating Aston Villa and Fulham before losing to Hull in a pulsating semi-final. The prize on offer here is a possible home tie with Man United in the next round and that is an enticing prospect. Preston held their own in the reverse fixture but their league form is on the slide. The Blades look great value at around 6-4 to win in 90 minutes and could also be worth a flutter on the handicap market.

The final replay on Tuesday sees Gus Poyet’s Sunderland travel to Fulham. These two sides fought out a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, a result that was greeted with a chorus of boos from the home supporters. Poyet is focussed on keeping Sunderland in the Premiership and a 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday pulled them four points clear of the drop zone. There is still plenty of work to do but the fact that Jermain Defoe was on the score-sheet will have been a boost. His signing could prove pivotal to Sunderland’s survival prospects.

Fulham welcome back former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker who was absent for the first match but their in-form striker Ross McCormack is the danger man for Sunderland. He scored a hat-trick in the recent 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest and also scored in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last weekend. This looks a really tough one to call so I am siding with a draw at 90 minutes.

Sheffield United to beat Preston @29-20 BetVictor

Sheffield United (-1.0 handicap) @4-1 Paddy Power

Man United to win by 3 or more goals @4-5 Sky Bet

Fulham v Sunderland DRAW at 90 minutes @2-1 Bet365

Spurs set to return to Wembley

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Tottenham have won the League Cup on four previous occasions, most recently when beating Chelsea 2-1 back in 2008. They were only beaten on penalties by Manchester United the following year and will to return to Wembley if they get at least a draw against Sheffield United on Wednesday.

The competition, now in the guise of The Capital One Cup, is low on the list of priorities for the top Premiership sides but Spurs have every reason to chase silverware. Mauricio Pochettino is in his first season in charge and the club’s aim is to gain a Champions League spot. They are still in contention for a top four finish as well as battling way in the Europa League. Taking them to Wembley would certainly be a feather in Pochettino’s cap as he aims to stem the flow of managers from White Hart Lane in recent years.

Their prep for this match was not ideal, losing 2-1 at home to Leicester in the FA Cup. With the shock exit of Chelsea and Manchester City to opposition from lower leagues, few even noticed the eclipse of Tottenham at White Hart Lane. Just as Mourinho paid the price for making wholesale changes at Stamford Bridge, so did Pochettino. He made nine changes from the side which had performed moderately in the first leg against the Blades.

Tottenham will be back at full strength on Wednesday as they look to protect their slender 1-0 lead. Only a penalty from Andros Townsend spared their blushes last week but that could be enough. Nigel Clough’s team will not go through unless they attack and that will leave them vulnerable on the counter-attack.

Spurs were laboured in the first leg but will be looking to Harry Kane to make the most of any opportunities that come his way. Sheffield United are eighth in League One but Clough took a risk by resting key players for the trip to Preston in the FA Cup at the weekend. His makeshift side escaped with a draw so they are still alive in that competition.

Tottenham look good value at a shade of odds-on to win this match, although I expect it to be difficult in the first half. Harry Kane is bound to get an opportunity at some point while it may be worth taking a chance at a 3-1 score-line at long odds.

Harry Kane scores and Spurs win @9-5 Paddy Power

Tottenham to win @5-6 Bet365

Sheffield United 1 Tottenham 3 @16-1 Coral

Kane can book Cup Final ticket for Spurs

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Tottenham have not won a trophy since winning the League Cup in 2008 but are now just two matches away from a Wembley final.

Mauricio Pochettino’s side have not always been convincing in the first half of the season but they are still in three competitions and in sixth place in the Premiership. Pochettino’s target for the season will be a top four place and Champions League qualification but any trophy would be seen as a triumph.

North London rivals Arsenal finally ended their long wait for Cup success when beating Hull in the FA Cup last season. Tottenham have been handed a gilt-edged opportunity to follow them after being drawn against League 1 side Sheffield United in the semi-final. Liverpool and Chelsea will fight out the right to meet the winners at Wembley.

Pochettino has been able to rotate his squad in order to navigate the early rounds of the Europa League. That competition could yet come back to haunt him in the second half of the season and they also have to prepare for a clash with Leicester in the FA Cup on Saturday. Harry Kane was largely responsible for the 5-3 win over Premiership leaders Chelsea and he will be expected to provide the killer touch on Wednesday evening.

It is typical of Spurs that they lost to Crystal Palace soon after that Chelsea victory but they still have some momentum going into the semi-final. Kane has scored in all the previous rounds and looks a good bet at even money to score in another Spurs win here. Spurs will be hoping to get at least a two-goal cushion for the away leg so that they can approach that game in some comfort.

Sheffield United are no mugs when it comes to Cup ties. The Blades have already beaten Southampton and West Ham in this competition and reached the FA Cup semi-final last year before that dramatic 5-3 defeat against Hull. Nigel Clough will have his team well prepared to try to frustrate the home side but it is difficult to see them holding out for 90 minutes.

Tottenham could also be a good bet on the handicap to overcome a one-goal deficit and take a step closer to Wembley.

Harry Kane to score and Spurs win @2.0 Paddy Power

Tottenham (-1.0 handicap) to win @19-20 BetVictor