West Ham v Man United Prediction 5th January 2013

West Ham v Man United Betting Preview
There is always something really appealing about a Manchester United visit to West Ham. You always expect a passionate game from the home side. The Hammers have only failed to score once at home this season and with the massive offensive threat that the Red Devils carry, there should be goals in this game. With United just grabbing a 1-0 win at Old Trafford against the Hammers in the Premier League at the end of November, could there be any whiff of an upset?

West Ham v Man United Betting Odds at online bookmaker Paddy Power
Man United 4/6, Draw 14/5, West Ham 4/1

West Ham v Man United Recommended Bet:
A really enticing tie which could be one of those great, gutsy FA Cup matches. The Hammers actually lead the FA Cup head to head against Man United 4-3 so this will be interesting. Last season the Hammers sounded out a fantastic 4-0 home win in the League Cup against United and with the Red Devils probably mixing up their starting line up, the happy Hammers will be up for this challenge. You would expect nothing less from a Sam Allardyce side. West Ham aren’t in the greatest form at the moment though, having won just one of their last five in the Premier League. That did come at the start of the year, a good 2-1 win over Norwich City. They haven’t got a bad scoring rate at Upton Park this season, clicking along at rate of 1.7 goals per game in the league where 64% of all matches have gone over 2.5 goals. West Ham have also won eight of their last thirteen home matches in the FA Cup but they will be wary of the threat that the Red Devils will bring, because the last time they met in the FA Cup (back in 2003) Man United romped to a 6-0 win. Their performance at Old Trafford earlier in the season could be enough to see them rally to a great physical effort against their high flying opponents. They are heavy underdogs, you can see that in the odds being offered but they will go hard.

United have won four of the last six matches in the FA Cup away to Premier League sides, so they aren’t obviously going to be an easy opponent for the Hammers. Once again the Red Devils proved to be experts at picking up points in the month of December and the goals just keep flying in, even with Wayne Rooney on the sidelines. The Red Devils have scored ten goals in their last three Premier League matches and have taken 25 points from the last 27 available. Robin van Persie is the main man now at Old Trafford, but with a game coming up against Liverpool in the Premier League next weekend, Sir Alex Ferguson may send out something of an under strength side. They will be strong favourites just because they can outscore anyone who comes their way. United have also won eight of their eleven matches on the road in the Premier League this season, a tremendous form. United aren’t that defensively sound so there is a high probability that both teams will get on the scoresheet (which is offered at 4/6 with Paddy Power). There should be a bit of value in taking a Man United -1 Asian Handicap for a price of 11/10 at online bookmaker Paddy Power, because United have averaged 2.5 goals per game this season and no reason why that should slow up.

Form
West Ham WLDLLW, Man United WWDWWW

Stat Attack
Man City are the only side to have prevented West Ham from scoring at Upton Park this season
West Ham lead the FA Cup head to head against Man United 4-3
Man United won 6-0 in the most recent FA Cup clash between the two sides
United have four of their last six FA Cup ties away against Premier League opposition

Online bookmaker Promotion
Some great coverage on one of the highest profile FA Cup 3rd Round matches this weekend. If either team are leading at half time but fail to win the match, then online bookmaker Paddy Power will refund all losing First Goalscorer, Last Goalscorer, Correct Score and Scorecast single bets placed on the match. Great coverage from the popular bookie who offer up to a free £50 bet for new customers registering an account with them, as they will match the value of your first stake.