Wolves host Man Utd in top-flight FA Cup clash

Wolverhampton vs Manchester United - 04/01/2020

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The FA Cup third round is famous for dishing up exciting games. This stage of the competition often sees some of the country’s top clubs drawn against lower-league opposition.

But on this occasion, Wolverhampton Wanderers host Manchester United on Saturday in one of only two all-Premier League ties of the round.

Just one point separates the two teams in the top-flight standings. Man Utd are fifth on 31 points, while Wolves sit seventh with 30 points.

It’s been a tricky festive period for Wolves and they come into this game on the back of a disappointing loss to Watford.

After beating Manchester City just after Christmas, Wolves have since suffered consecutive defeats – halting the team’s progress.

However, since Nuno Espirito Santo took over at Molineux, Wolves are unbeaten in their last four matches against the Red Devils.

Two wins and two draws have seen Wolves claim the bragging rights in this fixture in recent times, with a 1-1 league draw coming earlier in the season.

Prior to that draw, Wolves and Man Utd met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup last season. Santo’s men claimed a 2-1 win on that occasion, so the home side will be full of confidence heading into Saturday’s match.

Man Utd appeared to be heading in the right direction after convincing wins over Newcastle United and Burnley in December, but a 2-0 defeat to Arsenal in their previous game highlighted the team’s problems.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side haven’t had any real problems in attack, but their defensive frailties have let them down this season.

Still, the same can be said about Wolves. Both sides have been scoring freely, but they’ve both conceded too many goals in 2019/20.

Nuno Espirito Santo is likely to continue with his recent squad rotation, with Morgan Gibbs-White and Willy Boly the only two injury concerns for Wolves.

As for Man Utd, Scott McTominay, Marcos Rojo and Eric Bailly all remain sidelined, but star midfielder Paul Pogba is likely to return to the starting line-up.

Man United have only been eliminated in the FA Cup third round once in the last nine seasons, while Wolves have won their last three home games in this competition.

These trends suggest this game is likely to be a close encounter, so a draw looks like the most probable outcome this time around.

Forebet predicts that both teams will score. Still, this high-profile clash is likely to end on level terms.

Home team
Away team

Probability %

1X2

Pred

Correct score

Avg. goals

Weather conditions

Coef.

Score

Live
coef.

FA

Wolverhampton Manchester United 04/01/2020 18:31

333532

X

2 - 2

2.56

5°

3.30

2.70 3.30 2.70 1 -1 -1

FT

0 - 0(0 - 0)

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