LUTON welcome Manchester United to Kenilworth Road on Tuesday night in the EFL Cup 3rd Round. Daniel McCulloch (@DMcCulloch1984) shares his favourite fancies.
Luton vs Manchester United | Tuesday 22nd September 2020, 20:15 | Sky Sports
League Cup ties are generally quite difficult to predict as virtually all top-flight clubs make wholesale changes for such matches, as do a large proportion of Championship clubs.
Manchester United’s loss to Crystal Palace did make me think that they could go with a strong side here but noises from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer suggest that there will be a fair bit of rotation and if the United midfield is as per the predictions I have seen – Matic, Pereira and Lingard – then I don’t see them creating a great deal of chances.
United’s recent record in this competition is not great. Last year they did reach the semi-finals but only managed to beat League Two Rochdale on penalties in their first game in the cup, while they were knocked out by Championship sides – Bristol City and Derby – in the two previous years.
I do not expect United to lose this game but certainly wouldn’t be backing them at 1/4 in the outright market. They face a Luton side who are seem a far stronger proposition under Nathan Jones than they were under his predecessor.
Since Jones returned to Kenilworth Road they have managed 19 points from 11 league games. This return was enough to see them secure Championship football this season, where they have started with a win and a loss.
The Bedfordshire side are hardly prolific, however, having managed just 13 goals from those 11 matches. They have conceded the same number – although five of them came in one match – so I don’t expect a goal glut here.
United’s bench may well be strong so I did consider simply backing the second half to see the most goals but I actually believe that a United win and Under 3.5 Goals represents better value. Boylesports go 21/20 on this occurring, which looks plenty big enough to me.
TOPICS EFL Cup Tips FootballBest Bets
Luton vs Manchester United – Manchester United to win and Under 3.5 Goals (21/20 BoyleSports)
