Seeley’s Selections – Preston v Man Utd

MAN UTD make the short 32 mile trip across Lancashire for the final game in this years FA Cup fifth round when they take on League One Preston on Monday night.

Incredibly these two footballing giants haven’t met since 1972 and for lovers of history and stats United won that FA Cup clash 2-0 and the last time Preston beat their neighbours was way back in 1959.

United arrive at this one is some great form, with just one loss in their last 18 matches, but despite that decent run they have been anything but convincing for me.

The BoyleSports clients love Man Utd and they are backed at whatever price the football boys put up, but at 1/2 they really can’t be touched at that price.

They’ve already let odds-on backers down in the previous round against Cambridge and against at those prices my advice is to avoid the temptation.

The jury is still out whether this United team is any good, but I will give you my verdict.. They aren’t; they are distinctly average, and I can’t see them making the top four in the Premier League this season so Louis van Gaal will be taking this one very, very seriously.

Even though in my opinion this is one of the worst United sides for 30 years, I think they will just scrape through, but there are much better bets available with BoyleSports rather than the odds-on on them just to win the match.

Preston’s confidence is sky high ahead of the biggest match for the club for 50 years and many of their supporters will be dreaming of a 13/2 upset with BoyleSports and in a tournament which has been a bookmakers benefit fund, I expect normal service to resume on Monday night.

Preston had a huge boost in League One at the weekend with defeats for their three main title challengers and if you asked Simon Grayson what the priority is, it’s all about promotion to the Championship this season and that’s the main reason why I will be avoiding them here.
One thing that I really do fancy the home team to do is score.

United still look good going forward and whoever Van Gaal starts with they will be a goalscoring threat, but at the back they are far from reliable; against one of the top scoring teams in League One and a side that have only lost once in their last eight, I fully expect them to concede on Monday night.

I do like the 10/11 with BoyleSports on both teams scoring with and if as expected Preston do score the man most likely to find the net is striker Joe Garner.

Garner, is probably the best player I have seen in League One and this is a perfect stage for him to showcase his talents.

The 26 year-old has already netted 13 time this season and with 31 goals in his 69 appearance the 4/1 on him to net in this one with BoyleSports is far to big.

I can see this being another very nervy night for Van Gaal and they haven’t impressed me in any of their last half dozen matches, but they are just getting away with it and I think they will again in this one and just scrape a 2-1 victory which looks tempting at 7/1 with BoyleSports and get their name in the hat for another FA Cup quarter-final draw.

Probably the best way to play for United backers is to back United to win and both teams scoring at 9/4, but fasten your seatbelts is it’s going to be a bumpy ride.

Seeley’s Selections
Both Teams To Score – Yes @ 10/11
Joe Garner Anytime Scorer @ 4/1
Both Teams To Score & Man Utd Win @ 9/4

B Lucky