Daily Dynamo Selections – Manchester United v Sunderland
David Moyes' rather unsuccessful beginning to his Manchester United career could reach new depths when his charges play host to Sunderland in this League Cup semi-final. Alternatively, if things go according to plan then he could be celebrating taking his Manchester United side into their first cup final with him at the helm. Such is the brutal demarcation between success and failure which characterises top-class sport.
United tasted some of this brutality already in the first-leg when they were beaten 2-1 at the Stadium of Light. This was just the latest in a long line of disappointing performances this season from the defending Premier League champions, which continued at the weekend as they were brushed aside by a below-par Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
Thus, where United would once have been unbackable favourites to win this tie, it's harder to be emphatic about their chances in this critical game than it would have been during the Sir Alex Ferguson era. Unquestionably despite the first-leg deficit United are still favourites to win and progress, but they have been turned over numerous times on their home turf already this term, and no-one knows quite what to expect from them at the moment.
Sunderland's form has taken an upturn recently as well, so their poor record away from home in the EPL might be somewhat misleading. Adam Johnson is currently in a rich vein of form, and their 4-1 win at Fulham in their last away day in the EPL showed that they're playing with more confidence.
Nonetheless ,United have the better team, more experience, the big game mentality, and home advantage, and I think they'll sneak through.
Selections: Safe bet – Under 2.5 goals (23/20 with BetVictor), Value bet – Manchester United 2 – 0 Sunderland (13/2 with Ladbrokes)
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