Coventry vs Man Utd betting preview: Best odds and predictions for FA Cup semi-final clash
MANCHESTER United will still hope to salvage something from a disappointing season when they face Coventry City in this weekend’s second FA Cup semi-final.
Coventry City boss Mark Robins is widely regarded as the man who saved Alex Ferguson’s job back in 1990. He can now play a large part in getting one of Fergie’s successors sacked if his Sky Blues team can shock the Red Devils at Wembley on Sunday.
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Quick betting tips for Coventry City vs Manchester United
- Coventry/Man Utd in HT/FT – 16/1 with Spreadex
- Ellis Simms to have over 2.5 shots – 5/4 with bet365
- Andre Onana 5+ saves – 4/1 with bet365
Coventry City vs Manchester United odds
Here are the latest match odds for Coventry City vs Manchester United from our favourite football betting sites. Odds are subject to change.
Coventry City vs Manchester United betting preview
We’re not sure whether this is an insult to Manchester United or Chelsea, or a complement to Manchester or Coventry City – but some bookies have Coventry at the same odds to win their FA Cup semi-final as they do Chelsea to beat Pep’s team.
And when you look at Manchester United’s recent form, you can see why.
United are four matches without a win. In the Premier League fixtures against Bournemouth (20), Liverpool (28), Chelsea (28) and Brentford (31), they have conceded 107 attempts on goal.
It’s true, United does have a defensive injury crisis. But even so, the amount of chances the Red Devils are giving their opponents is alarming.
Such poor form is reason for Coventry City to be optimistic they can become the first non-Premier League club since Cardiff City in 2008 to reach an FA Cup final.
But Mark Robins’ team have run into some poor form themselves lately.
The 1987 FA Cup winners have seen their playoff chances disintegrate in recent weeks with disappointing defeats away to Southampton and Birmingham City.
And after coming so close to a Premier League return in last year’s playoff final against Luton, beating Manchester United on Sunday is now Coventry’s best chance of returning to Wembley in May this season.
It will be tough for the Sky Blues. History is against them.
But if they can get past the Red Devils, history will be on their side, as the last time they beat United in the FA Cup, they went on to win the trophy.
Coventry City vs Manchester United key stats
- Coventry City sit eighth in the Championship. They have 63 points from 42 games in the English second flight.
- The Sky Blues pulled off an unlikely 3-2 win over Premier League Wolves at Molineux to reach the semi-finals.
- Since then, the Sky Blues have won two and lost three in the Championship.
- Manchester United are seventh in the Premier League table with 50 points from 32 matches.
- United beat Liverpool 4-3 after extra-time in the quarter-final to make it to Wembley.
- Since the win over their northwest rivals, United have drawn three and lost one in the Premier League.
- In the head-to-head, Manchester United leads the way with 43 wins. Coventry has won 23, and there have been 17 draws.
- The last time the teams met was in a 2007 League Cup tie. The Sky Blues won 2-0 at Old Trafford against a largely reserve United team.
- United have won the previous six Premier League matches between the two.
Coventry City vs Manchester United best bets
Find our best bets for Coventry City vs Man Utd below. All our odds for the bets are from the best football betting sportsbooks, as per our expert reviews. Odds in our football betting tips are also subject to change.
Coventry half-time Man Utd full-time (Spreadex)
In the recent quarter-finals, Coventry were 1-0 up away at Wolves at half-time and 2-1 down as the clock ticked over into added time. On another day, Wolves would win that match.
In the first half of matches in recent weeks, Manchester United have gone 2-0 behind to Liverpool in the FA Cup. In the Premier League, they’ve also gone 1-0 down to Klopp’s team, 2-0 down to Chelsea, and 1-0 and 2-1 down to Bournemouth.
The only one of those matches United have won was in the FA Cup match against Liverpool. But in the other three games, they’ve either come back to take the lead (against Chelsea) or get draws.
In short, United are going behind quite a lot, but fighting back.
Back Coventry to lead at half-time and Man Utd to lead at full-time at 16/1 with Spreadex
Ellis Simms over 2.5 shots (bet365)
Former Everton striker Ellis Simms has been in great form for Coventry in recent weeks, especially in the FA Cup.
In the 5th Round 5-0 win over Maidstone, Simms bagged himself a hat-trick, and he followed that up with a brace and assist in the 3-2 win over Wolves in the quarter-final.
Simms has evoked memories of Keith Houchen in 1987 for Sky Blues fans. What chance of him scoring with a full-length diving header?
We will play safe and just back him to have three shots or more.
Back Ellis Simms to have over 2.5 shots at 5/4 with bet365
Andre Onana 5+ saves (bet365)
Even though Coventry City are in a lower league than Manchester United, we still expect them to test the United keeper.
In the quarter-final against Wolves, Coventry had 24 attempts on goal, of which 12 were on target.
They will know how many chances United have allowed their opponents in recent weeks. And if the Sky Blues take the game to United, Onana may have a busy afternoon.
For Onana to make 4+ saves, the odds are 15/8. Let’s go for 5+ at the far better odds of 4/1.
Back Andre Onana to make 5+ saves at 4/1 with bet365
How to watch Coventry City vs Manchester United
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London, England
- Time: 15:30 BST on Sunday, April 21st
- Where to watch: ITV1 and ITVX
About the author
Dean Etheridge
Dean is a freelance sports betting writer and website owner who specialises in football and cricket. With many years of experience writing for his own publications and others, Dean can turn his hand to a wide variety of sports, using his extensive knowledge and sense of humour to provide expert content with a totally different perspective. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge) and Twitter (@etheridge_dean).
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