"Moyes Out" to find glimmer of light

It’s pretty easy to get caught up in all the anti-Man U banter, “Moyes Out” etc flying around at the moment and there are plenty of people taking a lot of pleasure from the fall from grace.

Swansea’s late winner was undoubtedly a body blow for Moyes but, as punters, we need to take one match at a time and look at it on merit rather than get too carried away. Nice result for the column yesterday as we sold Man U superiority with Star Spreads for a 2 point profit.

Just 72 hours since their dramatic FA Cup exit Man U are involved in another cup game on Tuesday – the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup against Sunderland at the Stadium Of Light. Suddenly, this match has taken on a much bigger significance than it would have done if Man U had breezed past Swansea.

The last 10 meetings have all been in the Premier League and Sunderland have failed to win any but drawn two:

Oct 2013 Premier Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd
Mar 2013 Premier Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd
Dec 2012 Premier Man Utd 3-1 Sunderland
May 2012 Premier Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd
Nov 2011 Premier Man Utd 1-0 Sunderland
Dec 2010 Premier Man Utd 2-0 Sunderland
Oct 2010 Premier Sunderland 0-0 Man Utd
May 2010 Premier Sunderland 0-1 Man Utd
Oct 2009 Premier Man Utd 2-2 Sunderland
Apr 2009 Premier Sunderland 1-2 Man Utd

It’s a two-legged affair so Sunderland will be keen to get something out of this – especially with the injury list stacking up for the underfire Man U boss.

There are doubts over Rio Ferdinand’s fitness after he limped off with a knee problem against Swansea and recent absentees Phil Jones, Robin Van Persie and Wayne Rooney are also uncertain of a return.

Even allowing for Man U’s turbulent season there’s still a massive gulf of 20 points between these two sides with Sunderland propping up the table with just 14 points from 20 games.

Sunderland have done much better in this tournament though – reaching the final four after a stunning comeback against Chelsea in the quarter finals.

They will never have a better time of facing Man U than now and can keep things level before the return trip to Old Trafford. And the way things are going at Old Trafford recently, Sunderland will take that scenario 10 times out of 10. Same bet as Sunday – selling Man U with Star Spreads on the superiority market.

RECOMMENDED BET (1-10 points)

SELL MAN U / SUNDERLAND for 5 points at around 0.65 with Star Spreads

RUNNING RETURN (JANUARY): -1.40 POINTS

• Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
• Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.