Back to the...... Cup !

On Wednesday the two final F.A cup replays take place, in what again should be two entertaining and most importantly quality football matches.  When these teams played each other in the league the results were quite surprising.

First Arsenal host Swansea in what should be a game for the football purists, in the first match this game was very close until the first goal was scored in the second half.  Suddenly the game sprung to life with four goals scored in thirty minutes.  These type of matches often require a goal to open the match up and once a goal is scored you can be nearly certain of plenty more goals to follow.  In the league meeting between these teams Swansea used a tactic they have had success with recently.  In away matches the swans have kept games very tight and attempted to control the tempo and poccession of the match.  This has been succesful with a win at the Arsenal, Chelsea and a draw against Everton.  Arsenal come into this match off a defeat by Manchester City and with several injury concerns and absences.  The hosts will undoubtly fielded a very strong team with the cup being their most realistic chance of silverware.  Swansea as well will field a full strength team and will in my opinion try and keep this game tight and look to grab a goal through Michu.  They have only conceded two goals in their last six away matches and also have scored in six of their last ten away matches.  Arsenal have conceded in seven of their last ten home matches and in six of those seven matches they have conceded two or more goals.  In the two previous matches at the Emirates there has been two or fewer goals so I won't be advising to back goals in this match.  I believe Arsenal will have just enough to get a result to get into the next round but I must admit the price of Swansea +1 in the asian handicap at just over evens is attractive.

The second match sees Manchester United host West Ham United, in the first game I believed United would struggle to get a win and would struggle against West Hams aerial strength and set pieces.  This proved corrected with West Ham scoring both goals from crosses from the left hand side.  United have been weak against this all season but sadly I can't see West Ham having enough possession in the right areas to trouble the hosts at Old Trafford.  West Ham have suffered a real dip in form recently and I can't see beyond a comfortable win for United in this match.  Manchester United have one thirteen of their last fifteen matches at home and in all but two of the thirteen wins they have scored two or more goals.  Only two things are of a slight concern for me, one being Manchester United will rotate their squad and in the league match recently they could only manage one goal against a stubborn West Ham.  The visitors have failed to score in six of their last ten away matches and also have lost six of these ten matches.  History is also against the visitors with them not scoring in four of their last five trips to Old Trafford.  Overall I would be backing goals and a comfortable home win in this match, and one more fact is that of Manchester Uniteds last ten matches all have seen at least one goal in the first half.  Maybe for interest over 1.5 goals at just over evens could be worth a little flutter.


Thanks for reading and good luck to everyone !!