Wolves v Manchester United: FA Cup third-round tips, odds & prediction

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Wolves v Manchester United in the FA Cup third round at Molineux.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 5.31pm Saturday

Best bet

Wolves
1pt 7-5 bet365
Back this tip with bet365

Team news

Wolves
No fresh injuries are reported but Willy Boly (leg) is out long-term.

Manchester United
Paul Pogba (ankle) has joined Diogo Dalot (groin), Scott McTominay and Timothy Fosu-Mensah (both knee) on the sidelines. Anthony Martial and Jesse Lingard (both illness) missed training on Friday.

Match preview

Wolves have slipped out of the Premier League's top six after defeats at Liverpool and Watford but they can wrap up a hectic period on a positive note by knocking Manchester United out of the FA Cup.

Nuno Espirito Santo operates with one of the the smallest squads in the top flight and may need to take player fatigue into account because Wolves are preparing for a fourth game in nine days.

However, injuries permitting, he will want to field as strong a team as possible and should be able to hand recalls to first-team regulars Ruben Neves and Diogo Jota, who were named among the substitutes for the New Year's Day defeat at Vicarage Road.

Wolves finished strongly against the Hornets and even if they are carrying one or two tired legs, they should be lifted by the prospect of playing another big game under the lights at Molineux.

The fixture looks more of an inconvenience to United, who were short of energy and ideas when losing 2-0 at Arsenal on Wednesday.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would like to make amends for last season's 2-1 defeat at Wolves in the FA Cup quarter-finals.

But he is unlikely to select a full-strength side because the match takes place just three days before United's EFL Cup semi-final first leg at home to Manchester City.

Solskjaer's midfield options are limited with first-choice duo Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba injured.

And he may feel the need to hand a breather to Fred, who has been transformed from an expensive flop to a vital cog in the engine room.

United could find themselves outmanoeuvred in midfield – as was the case at the Emirates – and they may have to rely on the counter-attacking pace of Dan James, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood to get them out of trouble.

Wolves must try to avoid losing the ball in dangerous areas but, if they stay patient and focused, their attacking players should win them the game.

None of their first choice front three – Adama Traore, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota – has started all of the last three games and each should be ready to perform to a high standard.

Jimenez is having another impressive season (scoring eight goals in 21 league games) and is appreciating the improved service from Traore, who is finally starting to realise immense potential.

The jet-heeled winger produced a match-winning performance in the 3-2 victory at home to Manchester City – delivering one goal and one assist – and another livewire display could see off United, who have been defeated on four of their last seven road trips.