Coventry City vs Man Utd tips and predictions: Sky Blues to make a game of FA Cup semi-final
- George Dempsey
- 19 April 2024
Manchester United are clear favourites to beat Coventry City at Wembley on Sunday (1630 BST) but we’re not expecting them to have the FA Cup semi-final all their own way.
Coventry City are sizeable underdogs in the FA Cup semi-final against Manchester United at Wembley on Sunday, but it would be foolish to write them off.
An occasion like this, played in the home of English football to a chorus of noise, particularly against a Premier League giant, would be enough to make some Championship teams wilt.
However, City look like they’re made of sterner stuff, and Erik ten Hag’s side is not one you’d confidently back to take advantage of this situation.
The Red Devils are winless in five because their defence has shipped 11 goals and found ways to throw games away.
Mason Mount’s 96th-minute goal was cancelled out by Kristoffer Ajer in the 99th minute against Brentford, but they weren’t done there.
Cole Palmer struck a 60-second brace to turn a 3-2 defeat into a 4-3 win in the 10th minute of added time at Stamford Bridge.
Even Newport County, 16th in League Two, roared back from 2-0 down to become one of 23 sides to score two or more goals against United this season.
Funnily enough, Cov pulled the same rabbit out of the hat when beating Wolves 3-2 to reach this stage of the competition, with Ellis Simms and Hadji Wright scoring in the 97th and 100th minute of the match.
Mark Robin’s side were adventurous in that game but they’re likely to take a backseat and pick their moments, as they did successfully against Leeds and Leicester recently.
There’s a defiant spirit about this side and although they struggle against lesser sides, they’ve passed the biggest tests put in front of them.
Team news
Tatsuhiro Sakamoto and Jamie Allen will miss out for the designated hosts.
Simms and Wright will start having combined for 45 goal contributions across all competitions.
Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Victor Lindelof, Raphael Varane and Anthony Martial have been ruled out.
Scott McTominay, Antony and Jonny Evans are also touch and go.
Key stats
- Ellis Simms has scored nine goals in eight matches
- Coventry won 2-0 at Old Trafford when the sides last met
- Coventry are the top scorers in the FA Cup with 19 goals
- There have been 28 first-half goals in Man Utd's last 16 matches
- Man Utd have progressed from 50 of 52 ties against lower-league opposition
- Man Utd have conceded two or more goals on 23 occasions
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