Fa Cup

Everton V Aston Villa

At first glance I though this might be a good time for Everton to put Villa out of the cup. Surely with Villa desperate for the top 4 and a champions league spot the FA cup will be second choice. Not with a manager like Martin O Neill in charge though. Villa have looked excellent at times this year and on the road have a remarkable 10 – 0 – 3 record in the premiership. Agbonlahor and Ashley Young are having great seasons and will provide the brunt of the attacking threat. Gareth Barry is out which puts me off backing them as they need his leadership if the going gets tough.
The reason I though Everton could win was because of their new found strike man Jo. That was until I realised he was cup tied and with Saha out injured (surprise surprise) James Vaughan and Yakubu are also out which leaves Everton very bare up front for attacking options. Everton are 11 points behind the visitors today but both are having good seasons and both will be playing in Europe next season. David Moyes has done a wonderful job with such limited funds and has proved that you don’t need the best players as long as you get the work rate and tactics right. On that level Martin O Neill has also done a great job at Villa and a champions league spot would cement his popularity at Villa Park

Verdict
Both are missing some influential players and it’s hard to see where Everton goals will come from. On saying that Villa’s greatest strength is their attacking style but Everton can be tough to break down.
I can’t see past the draw here.

PICK
Draw (3.3 @ betfred) 4 points

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Derby V Manchester United

Not many teams have defeated Man Utd this season but Derby are one of the few who have managed that feat winning 1 – 0 in the carling cup some few weeks ago. It will be a big ask to see lightening strike twice though especially considering United’s recent run of form and defensive displays.
In the return leg of that carling cup tie Derby again made a nuisance of themselves before eventually going down 4 – 2. With those type of gritty, fighting displays there is no chance that Alex Ferguson will be taking them lightly today. Nigel Clough has pulled them out of the relegation places though the season is far from over they have looked much better in recent weeks.
Fergie is still on for an ambitious quadruple of titles this year and with them already in the carling cup and within touching distance of the premiership trophy it would be brave to bet against them doing so.
Van Der Sar has been keeping clean sheets by the bucketload although it could be said that United have been grinding out results as opposed to great attacking play.

Verdict
There will be no complacency from United today and even if Fergie mixes youth with experience they should still be good enough. Lessons have been learnt from the previous games and there will be no slip-ups today. United to win 2 or 3 nil.

PICK
Man United – 1.25 (1.91 @ pinnacle) 5 points