Coventry vs Man United Prediction: Goals galore in Wembley showdown

My beloved Coventry City are going to Wembley to play in an FA Cup semi-final, so forgive my excitement, but I’ll try and make this preview as balanced as possible. The Sky Blues’ second FA Cup semi-final in their 140-year history sees them take on Erik ten Hag’s Manchester United for a place in the final on Sunday (15:30, ITV1).

The Championship side have gone off the boil in the league of late, with half an eye on this massive semi-final, and now it looks like their aspirations of reaching the top six are over. After the penalty heartbreak of the play-off final last season, there will be some Wembley ghosts Mark Robins will want to banish. Below you can find my Coventry vs Man United prediction, featuring team news and match odds. 

Team News

Coventry will (completely unfairly, might I add), be without the suspended Kasey Palmer for this one. He has picked up two yellow cards over the course of the competition, so is forced to serve a ban, while Amad Diallo is allowed to play despite being sent off against Liverpool in the last round. Madness. Tatsuhiro Sakamoto remains out for the rest of the season, while Jamie Allen and Matty Godden may both be fit enough for the bench after spells on the sidelines. 

Manchester United can welcome back Antony, Scott McTominay and Harry Maguire after the latter two missed training earlier in the week. Marcus Rashford also trained on Friday so should feature in this one, while Willy Kambwala is expected to continue at centre-back alongside Maguire. 

Match Odds

Coventry are the obvious underdogs here, priced at 9/2 to win in 90 minutes, while Man United are available at 4/9. That gives the Red Devils a win probability of 69% at Wembley, while a draw is backable at odds of 100/30. We could see an open encounter in the capital, BTTS is 4/7 while over 2.5 goals is 4/9. 

Man United to win and BTTS @ 13/8

Goals are almost guaranteed on Sunday afternoon. Manchester United are so open in the way that they play, that it isn’t out of the question for the Sky Blues to find the net - while the Championship outfit often see goals at both ends. 

BTTS has been a winner in the last five United games in all competitions, with their 4-3 FA Cup win over Liverpool a particular highlight. With a disregard for defending, Ten Hag’s side concede a massive number of shots in every game they play, and the likes of Ellis Simms and Haji Wright will be keen to take advantage. 

I’m hoping for a moment at Wembley. Just one. A goal against Manchester United would mean the world and I truly think we can get one. However, having conceded three to lowly Birmingham City last time out, defending is not Cov’s forte. Marcus Rashford, Bruno Fernandes, Alejandro Garnacho and Ramsus Hojlund might have a whale of a time against the Sky Blues. I’m predicting a 3/4-1 loss on Sunday, so this bet covers both of those selections.

Garnacho, Rashford and Simms to score @ 20/1

Goals goal goals. Having watched every Coventry game so far this season, I’ve got a decent grip on what the team are good at, and what they struggle to defend. I’m seriously concerned about both Rashford and Garnacho in this clash as I think Cov really struggle against pace on the wings. 

Those direct runs could cause Joel Latibeaudiere all sorts of issues as he fills in at right-back, while Jake Bidwell has great experience, but also isn’t the quickest on the opposite flank. With pace in transitions, United are going to create plenty of chances, and I feel these two are the two biggest dangers for the Sky Blues to try and deal with. 

Coventry have a couple of dangermen of their own however, and I’m backing Simms to get on the scoresheet as well. He’s been in fine form of late, and this has been a great competition for him this term. He’s scored five goals in his last two FA Cup appearances, and was on top form against Premier League outfit Wolves in the quarter-finals, bagging a brace. 

His physicality could cause problems for the Man United defence and the number nine would love to bag at Wembley. 20/1 feels like a great price for this trio of goalscorers.

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