Derby County is only a few years removed from playing in the Premier League. Part of the reason why the Rams had such a short stay in the top flight in 2007-08 is because it never stood a shot against the big boy teams like Manchester United. Now though, there's a legitimate chance for Derby to put itself in the limelight when it takes on the Red Devils in what might be the last 90 minutes for Louis van Gaal at Old Trafford if things don't go according to plan.
Soccer Odds at BookMaker.eu
Derby County +325
Manchester United +100
Draw +225
Over/Under 2.5 (under -125)
ODDS ANALYSIS
To think that the Red Devils are only even money favorites to win this match against a consummate Championship side on the road is a bit absurd. For all that Manchester United hasn't done well lately in the Premier League, it's still a Top 5 team at the moment and should be favored against a team which is a solid 20 places lower than it is in England's pecking order.
Still, Derby is in fine form at home, going 7-5-2 this year at Pride Park Stadium, and Manchester United might not ultimately be immune to the lower division team in significantly better form.
Man U's struggles offensively are highlighted as well in this total of just 2.5 and -125 vig on the under.
HOW THEY GOT HERE
Man U has only had one match here in the FA Cup, that coming at home against Sheffield United. The Blades put up a heck of a fight at Old Trafford, but the Red Devils finally came through with the goal in stoppage time on a Wayne Rooney penalty to advance. It wasn't the most convincing match in the world though, and that's part of the reason why the Red Devils are only modest favorites against Derby County.
Derby County had a nice draw in the third round proper, as it ended up with Hartlepool at home. The Rams did fall behind on the hour to the League Two side, but Darren Bent and Jacob Butterfield erased that deficit and put Derby ahead for good with late shows.
ANALYSIS AND ODDS PREDICTION
Bent, in particular, could be a huge motivator in this game for the Rams. He's got all sorts of Premier League experience and knows what it's like to have the shoe on the other foot against a lower division team.
It's a little concerning that Derby hasn't won a match in the Championship in four tries, but we think getting bumped at home by Birmingham last week 3-0 might be just what gets it going again for this one.
Take away the oddball 3-3 match against Newcastle, and what's left for Manchester United is a ton of games with virtually no offense. The team was dreadful at home in a 1-0 loss over the weekend to Southampton, and that followed a rather fortunate 1-0 win against Liverpool. In fact, there have been four matches out of six in which Man U has played to a total of one goal or fewer.
It's tough to see how this one is going to be any different. Derby's defense at home had allowed just a total of nine goals in 13 matches before the catastrophe against Birmingham, and we think there's a real chance that this one is going to end up being forced back to Old Trafford for a replay after a scoreless draw.
Derby County 0, Manchester United 0
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Don’t miss out on getting paid because you couldn’t bet. Click here and deposit at BookMaker now! The fixture between Derby County and Manchester United is scheduled for Friday, January 29, 2016 at 2:55 p.m. ET at Pride Park Stadium. The match will be televised live on FOX Sports 1.
