Sometimes in the FA Cup, you just get a lucky draw to keep you going in the tournament. Blackburn Rovers have had just that to get to the fifth round proper, but all of that comes to an end on Sunday against Manchester United. If the Rovers are going to get into the quarterfinals, they're definitely going to be earning their way there.
Don't miss the FA Cup action from Ewood Park at 11:15 a.m. ET on Sunday, February 19, 2017. Catch every moment of the match live on FOX Sports 1.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Blackburn +800
Manchester United -260
Draw +380
Over/Under 2.5
Odds Analysis
The oddsmakers have a lot of faith right now in the Red Devils. They're set at -260 on the moneyline and are favored by a goal and a half on the Asian Handicap. But as we've seen time and time again, these lesser teams from the lesser leagues creep up on the big boys in the FA Cup all the time, so nothing is a given, even for a team like Man U.
The listed total of 2.5 is a bit deceiving. The vig is set at -141 on the over, and that essentially makes the total a flat 3.
How They Got Here
Blackburn kicked off the FA Cup with an away victory against QPR. The draw in the fourth round couldn't have been much better for the Rovers, as they took care of fourth division Blackpool 2-0 to get to this point.
Manchester United hasn't had to leave home for the FA Cup until now, but it wouldn't have mattered where it played those two fixtures against Reading and Wigan Athletic. Both would have been easy wins even if those games were played on the moon. Both victories were of the matching 4-0 variety. Better for the Red Devils? The eight goals have been scored by seven different players.
Recent Form
Blackburn is in a heck of a lot of trouble right now in the Championship. The team sits No. 23 on the table and will need to pick up two points on Burton Albion and pass Wigan if it wants to stay up in the second division for another year and avoid relegation. The Rovers though, are better here at home than you'd think at 5-5-6, including a 1-0 upset of Newcastle, giving them points in four of their last five matches played here at Ewood Park across all competitions.
The Red Devils are still fighting for a return to the Champions League after this year's Europa League run. They're currently on the wrong side of the cut line in sixth place, but the margin between them and second place Manchester City is just four points. The Red Devils were 2-0 winners over Watford over the weekend, giving them three wins and a draw in their last four matches. Better yet is the fact that they haven't allowed a goal in four straight fixtures.
Free Soccer Betting Pick
Weird things happen in the FA Cup from time to time, but we don't see it happening here. Manchester United knows that this is a really important tournament to assure European play next year regardless of what happens the rest of the way in the EPL.
Ewood Park is a tough place to play, and though it wouldn't be all that shocking to see this one end in a scoreless replay, we still think that the rash of goals for the Red Devils in this competition will serve them well against a lesser team. We'd be too chicken to lay the goal and a half, but Man U on the moneyline feels like a safe bet.
FA Cup Odds: Manchester United 1, Blackburn 0
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