In the race for the FA Cup it’s no surprise that the top two teams in the Premiership, Chelsea and Man City are the favourites for the FA Cup. They are currently sitting with McLeans at 5/1.

It is hard to see past them all right but you wonder just how important the competition will be to them as the season progresses. There is no doubt the league title is the one they want to win. There is also the little side show of Europe although City could be out of that before they even know it.

Chelsea could make a decent fist of the Champions League if they put their mind to it but the recent defeat at Spurs shows that they are also a side who are vulnerable if you can open up and expose their back four. Then again what’s new with any side?

I never like to back the favourites for a Cup competition so that’s why I’m going down the pecking order and selecting Manchester United. United haven’t won the FA Cup in 11 years. In fact it’s 8 years since they even made the final. The majority of players now at Old Trafford have never tasted the atmosphere of Wembley on FA Cup final day.

In a recent interview United boss Louis Van Gaal described the FA Cup as the most ” famous domestic cup in the world”.

Even he knows the mystic surrounding the completion although much of the gloss has faded in recent seasons.

United are a better than average side but they won’t win the Premiership. They have too many weak links in defence and although that may be strengthened in the transfer window they are still chasing the likes of Chelsea or City.

Of course there is no Europe for United either so I just wonder if the Cup has risen in the pecking order at Old Trafford. It’s a chance for silverware and an entry card back into Europe which all Manchester United fans really want. It would also be a great start for the new boos if there was a trophy tour in Manchester at the end of it all.

For all those reasons I’m going to tip United to be the team to beat in the FA Cup.

They are currently 6/1 to win the trophy so why not go a punt now. They will be into the next round and who knows what odds they would be then if they got a decent draw.

I know there is a long way to go but for me they look to be the best value.

You take your chances.

FA Cup betting

This post was provided by BetMcLean.com