WE'VE joined forced with renowned punter James Cantrill (@JimmyThePunt) to set-up and share our Colossus Premier League Predictor selections ahead of Sunday's FA Cup highlight between Leicester and Man Utd.
Leicester vs Manchester United | Sunday 21st March 2021, 17:00 | BBC
What will the Correct Score be?
In terms of domestic head-to-heads, Manchester United have had the better of the recent exchanges having won four and drawn two of these sides' last six bouts. These fixtures have seen 14 goals in total with BTTS landing in half, and interestingly a third have finished 2-2.
However, this is not a Premier League fixture. Last campaign the eight quarter-finalists were all EPL sides, those fixtures averaged 2.25 goals with BTTS landing in two. In the 18/19 season we saw BTTS landing in all of the quarter-final games with an average of 3.75 goals, and the 17/18 season saw BTTS in 25% as the games averaged 2.25 goals.
The hosts have reached this stage twice in the last three seasons and were bested by Chelsea (1-2 and 0-1) on both occasions. The Red Devils have made it to the final eight in all of the last four seasons winning two and losing two.
Given the gung-ho nature of these clashes they can be a bit of a minefield so I am going to cover two score lines here.
Selection: 1-2, Other Draw
Will a player be sent off?
Craig Pawson is the man with the whistle for this one. In the 37 FA Cup games he has taken charge of, he has brandished six red cards. This campaign he has averaged 0.24 per game.
Manchester United have only received two all season – neither have come in the FA Cup- and the hosts are yet to get one this campaign.
Selection: No
Will a penalty be taken?
Pawson has averaged 0.33 penalties per game – in all competitions – this season. He has not given any penalties to date in the two FA Cup games he has taken charge of this season and over the course of his career he has averaged 0.16 per game in this competition.
However, when Manchester United are involved you would be a fool to rule out a penalty, especially given the nature of the tie. Therefore, I am going to cover both outcomes here.
Selection: Yes, No
Will a goal be scored in the 1st half?
This season Manchester United’s three FA Cup games have seen seven goals, 43% came in the first half. However, it is worth noting that their most recent bout – versus West Ham – did not see the net ripple within the 90 minutes.
In the EPL this season, the Red Devils have played five similar games to Sunday’s bout against West Ham, Everton and the Foxes. These fixtures have seen an average of 3.8 goals per game with 42% coming in the first half.
The hosts three FA Cup clashes have seen a first half goal in two. Their eight top flight games against the Big Six’have yielded 27 goals, 12 of which have come in the first half as the net has bulged before the interval in 75% of these games.
All things considered, I think we will see a first half goal here.
Selection: Yes
How many corners will be taken by the home team?
Leicester's three FA Cup games have seen them average six corners per game, their EPL average drops to 3.5 in their games against the Big Six as they have accumulated exactly three in 50% of those fixtures.
The hosts have only hit more than six in their two FA Cup games against Brentford and Brighton in games they were pushing for a winner in. In the 11 similar fixtures this season – FA Cup games and games vs the Big Six – they have hit between three and six in 73% which is what I am going to cover here.
Selections: 3-4, 5-6
How many corners will be taken by the away team?
In Manchester United’s three FA Cup games this campaign against Watford, Liverpool and West Ham, they have accumulated 14 corners. Away in the EPL – against Everton, West Ham and the Foxes – they have averaged just two per game and they did not even get one in their last trip to the King Power. In their two home games – against West Ham and Everton – they tallied a total of 11.
So far in similar fixtures they have hit anywhere from zero to six corners, however, six of these eight games have seen between four and six.
Selection: 3-4,5-6
How many cards will be shown to the home team?
Leicester may not have seen a red card so far this season but they have accumulated half a century of yellows in the EPL which is the third best total. Their 2-2 drawn with Man Utd on boxing day saw Maddison and Ndidi booked and they have received one or two bookings in nine of their 11 games in the FA Cup and versus the big boys in the EPL.
The only two anomalies were the five they received at The Emirates and when they didn’t get any in their 4-0 rout vs Stoke.
Selection: 1,2
How many cards will be shown to the away team?
So far this season, Man Utd have racked up 77 yellows and two reds in all competitions, which includes the four they have picked up in this competition. In their similar fixtures to this one, their card totals have been a little more sporadic as they have hit anywhere from zero to four.
However, once again the most common totals are one or two which is what I am going to cover here.
Selection: 1,2
Join our Colossus syndicate for Sunday's showdown
James has shared his views on all the major markets ahead of Sunday's highly-anticipated showdown from The Etihad and you can join our WLB-own syndicate with our friends at Colossus here for as little as £2.
Should the above syndicate pay-out on Saturday, contributors will share a terrific £10,000 prize pool.
New to Colossus? By entering our exclusive refer-a-friend code welovebettinguk you'll also be given a FreePlay after depositing and playing your first £10 into Colossus pools.
