Derby County vs Manchester United Prediction & Betting Tips - FA Cup

Prediction published on 02/03/2020, 20:57  by Daniel Ngulu | Modified on 02/03/2020 at 21:00 in FA Cup Predictions

Derby County will play host to Manchester United as the FC Cup continues in the fifth round this week and ahead of the game, the two sides will have mixed results to build on. While Derby returned to winning ways this past weekend, Manchester United were saved from defeat by the VAR. After going winless in four matches, Derby recovered with a 3-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday. Taking a 3-0 lead to half time, Derby were only denied a first clean sheet in five matches by Josh Windass’ goal in the 74th minute. Thomas Lawrence had set the pace well with a brace inside the opening 24 minutes and Jason Knight’s 30th minute goal assured the Rams of three points. Against United it is a completely different ball game; a tougher opponent and a knockout competition. They will definitely want to build on the weekend win and one person who will be key is Wayne Rooney, the former Manchester United forward, who has been key for Derby this season. Derby have one win in five matches but in all of these five, they have scored; three of them have ended in over 2.5 goals. After two straight away matches, they will be glad to play in front of their home fans again, this being the first of two straight home games. They have not lost at home in seven matches, and in the last 17 at home, they have suffered just one loss – against Millwall in the Championship. They have 10 wins in their last 15 home matches, though their rhythm has seen four draws and a loss. They have drawn in the last two home matches and have no clean sheet in the last three. They have already eliminated a Premier League team this season – Crystal Palace, but Derby had to go for a replay to see off Northampton Town in the last round, after drawing 0-0 away in the first match. They have no clean sheet in their last five home matches in the FA Cup, conceding at least two goals in the five matches, but they have scored in each of their last seven home games in the FA Cup.

On the other hand, Manchester United head here unbeaten in eight matches though they were very close to a first loss in their last match, against Everton. They needed the intervention of the VAR to secure a point and here they will need to do better. United head to this game with three clean sheets in the last five matches and a new signing that has really turned the tide in their favor – Bruno Fernandes. The Portuguese midfielder was once again instrumental against Everton, getting the leveler that earned United a point and he will be among the players to look out for. Just like Derby at home, United have drawn their last two away matches. They are unbeaten in their last five away matches, winning three. They also had to go the replay way to secure passage after their opening draw with Wolverhampton Wanderers, before beating them 1-0. In the fourth round they were impressive, hitting Tranmere Rovers 6-0 away. The last tiome these two sides faced off was in the League Cup in 2018, and Derby triumphed on post match penalties after a 2-2 draw. In the earlier four meetings (three being FA Cup duels), Manchester United had claimed straight wins.