- Date: Monday January 7, 20:15 GMT
- Location: DW Stadium, Wigan, England
- Teams: Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United.
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North West rivals clash in Cup
The FA Cup has thrown up a potential giant killing with a North West slant as 12-time winners Manchester United travel to League 1 Wigan Athletic. Wigan, despite being relegated from the Premier League won the FA Cup in 2013. Those days, however, seem a long time ago as they sit in midtable in League 1. At the time of writing, partly due to the difficulty of the draw for other teams, Man United are joint second favourites for the FA Cup, priced at 9/1 with bet356.
Wigan Athletic
Wigan, FA Cup winners in 2013, sit in 17th positionn in League 1, four points above the relegation zone. In their last match they came from behind to draw 1-1 with Barnsley at Oakwell, with Jonny Smith coming off the bench to grab a spectacular 87th minute equaliser. To reach this stage of the cup, the Latics have negotiated away ties at Exeter City and York City.
Tom Pearce and Jason Kerr are set to miss the contest through injury. Stephen Humphrys and Scott Smith also have injury concerns and are extremly doubtful. James Balagizi will not be avaialble after his loan spell from Liverpool ended.
Josh Magennis, who has five goals this season is set to lead the line, while the experienced Callum McManaman looks set to be involved.
Manchester United
Erik ten Hag’s side go into the tie determined to avoid an upset, knowing that the FA Cup is their last realistic chance of silverware this season. Last season’s EFL Cup winners also made the FA Cup final but were beaten by treble winners Manchester City. Ten Hag’s side have won a lot of games in the league this season, but the problem is that they have also lost a lot. They remain in contention for the European places but supporters have been extremly disappointed with the manner many of their performances. The festive programme of fixtures has epitimised this with a defeat away to West Ham United, a 3-2 home win over high-flying Aston Villa and a deserved loss at Nottingham Forest.
Goalkeeper Andre Onana will not join up with Cameroon for the AFCON until the last moment, therefore he should be available against Wigan and for the Premier League match against Spurs. However, Sofyan Amrabat has already joined up with the Morocco squad and will not be involved. Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia, Lisandro Martinez, Mason Mount, Victor Lindelof, Harry Maguire, Casemiro and Anthony Martial are all expected to return in the near future, however, the Tottenham clash at the weekend in perhaps a more realistic target for the majority. Rasmus Hojlund is fit agains anfter illness and is available for selection. Given that the FA Cup is the only realistic chance of a trophy for Ten Hag’s side this season, the Dutchman is tipped to name a strong team.
Head to head record
Out of nineteen meetings, Manchester United have won 18 and with Wigan winning one. There is yet to be a draw between the two sides.
| Wigan Athletic | Manchester United | Draws |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18 | 0 |
Prediction
The FA Cup represents the Red Devils’ last realistic chance of silverware this season. After exiting Europe and the EFL Cup and failing to find consistency in the Premier League, the last thing they need is an early FA Cup loss, especially to a lower division side. Wigan are in the bottom half of League 1 and will see the match as something of a free hit. A replay would be a great financial result for the Latics. While the FA Cup is a competition synonomous with giant killing I don’t think we will get one here. Away win.
However, punters looking for value could do worse than putting a speculative punt on Wigan getting a result. The bet is unlikely to come in but, if it does, it will be most rewarding.
DW Stadium, Wigan
Odds correct as of 08/01/24 at 09:00. Odds subject to change.
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