Reading vs Manchester United Betting Tips

Manchester United are bidding to win the FA Cup for a record 12th time this season but, as Reading proved when grabbing a late equaliser to force this replay at Old Trafford 10 days ago, Steve Coppell's charges are nothing if not tenacious and they'll make the Red Devils dig deep when they visit the Madejski Stadium on Tuesday evening. In their 136-year history, the Royals have only reached the last eight of this competition once, during the 1926-27 campaign, and, coincidentally, it was during that run that they recorded their sole FA Cup victory over Man Utd. Going into this match on the back of their nine-game unbeaten run being ended at the Riverside against Boro at the weekend isn't an ideal scenario. However, the Berkshire outfit have won their last five in their own backyard and, even though Coppell will rest some of his key players, the home side will give this a good go, that's for sure. January signings Michael Duberry and Greg Halford are cup-tied but on the plus side defender Andre Bikey returns from suspension and leading striker Kevin Doyle is fit again. Sir Alex is expected to rest Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Edwin van der Sar and Henrik Larsson, while Alan Smith is thought ready to return to the fray and is set to at least be named in the squad, if not in the starting XI. In any case, United will boast strength in depth and, having seen Chelsea lift the Carling Cup on Sunday, Fergie's desire to secure this trophy will no doubt have been enhanced. The Red Devils have suffered a couple of reverses on their travels since mid-December but they are generally just as effective on their travels as they are at the Theatre Of Dreams. And it is their ability to excel on rival turf that has set them apart from the competition this term, which makes Reading's task all the stiffer, as home advantage won't count as greatly against United as it would against some sides. Then again, the Royals have absolutely nothing to lose. Steve Coppell has made it clear that achieving as high a position in the Premiership pecking order as possible is his clear priority, therefore any further progress in the FA Cup will simply be a bonus. This very approach - almost nonchalant in a sense - could well work to Reading's advantage. Ultimately the weight of expectation rests on United's shoulders. With this in mind, I reckon that Reading will be able to frustrate United and ensure that this game goes the distance and beyond. Indeed, I do not find it at all hard to envisage this replay going to extra-time - maybe even penalties. Beyond 90 minutes, the waters could get choppy for a Reading side that will probably spend much of normal time on the back foot against an attack-minded United, however. When it comes to the crunch, I feel that United's class will tell, so my advice is to take a look at the 'When Will Game Be Won' market, which Blue Square have devised with, in my opinion, a degree of generosity. For the 7/1 and 12/1 about Man Utd winning in extra-time or on penalties respectively makes for pretty good value to my mind. The suggestion is to split stakes and just hope that, as I suspect, Reading can grind a draw out of the first 90 minutes of play. Verdict: 1pt Man Utd to win in extra-time - 7/1 Blue Square1pt Man Utd to win on penalties - 12/1 Blue Square