MAN UTD host Watford in an FA Cup 3rd Round showdown on Saturday night. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies.
Manchester United vs Watford | Saturday 9th January 2021, 20:00 | BT Sport
Once again television offer us a cup game that is in the interest of Manchester United fans but not the wider football fan/gambling association.
I would love to be able to find the upset angle but I don’t believe either side will try to make that possible. From United’s end I think they will do just enough to ensure that they are not embarrassed and from a Watford perspective, they will ensure that they are competitive but the reality is that they will face an XI who are more talented than they can offer, regardless of the volume of changes United will make.
United will face a Watford side who have been quite a dull watch this term. Xisco Munez replaced Vladimir Ivic just before Christmas so clearly it is too early to discuss the performance of the new manager, the fact that there have been just 42 goals in 22 Watford league games this season suggests that any game involving the Hertfordshire side will be tight.
Manchester United games this season have generally been goal-fests, with 57 goals in 16 goals this term. However, I expect them to make wholesale changes for this game and also believe that they are a reactive rather than proactive side and don’t expect they will have much to react to.
In nine home league games this season, Manchester United have scored 12 goals but half of those came in one match against Leeds. Their other three home league wins have seen three goals or fewer and given that we expect them to make wholesale changes tomorrow it is unlikely that they will be a fluent attacking force.
With XIs so uncertain I will keep it simple and go for Manchester United to win and under 3.5 goals to be scored, which is available at 23/20 with Boylesports. I don’t expect an exciting game here and will limits my own bets to this and a 2-0 correct score.
Best Bets
Manchester United vs Watford- Manchester to win and Under 3.5 Goals (23/20 Boylesports)
