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FA Cup

FA Cup Fifth Round Replay: Middlesbrough v Sheffield Utd

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Middlesbrough a dead cert to sweep past Sheffield United and off they go to Wembley. Mike Norman is getting carried away with himself today. Fingers crossed Mike.

It's astonishing that after just two wins in the FA Cup this season (against Bristol City and Mansfield), Middlesbrough Football Club are staring down the barrel of a semi-final appearance at Wembley, and perhaps yet another major final - their sixth in a little over ten years if they were to get there.

An in-form Premiership team couldn't really ask for anything more than two home ties against lower league opposition, with the reward for winning them being a semi-final slot in the world's most famous and prestigious knockout competition........ but hang on a second, this is the FA Cup we're talking about...... and more importantly, this is Middlesbrough, probably the most unpredictable and inconsistent football club in the country.

So while the first paragraph was about an exuberant Boro fan getting way ahead of himself, the reality is that the club themselves should be looking no further forward than Wednesday night's 5th round replay against Sheffield United and producing a solid professional performance - if only it were that easy.

Anyone thinking that Boro have done the hard work by bringing Kevin Blackwell's men back to the Riverside needs to think again. Middlesbrough may have a great home record against the likes of Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United, but when it comes to winning games against lesser opposition they have an unconvincing profile. It was only last season that they were taken to penalties on home soil by Bristol City (a league one side at the time), while they also failed to see off Championship side West Brom in front of their own fans.

This should set the alarm bells ringing amongst those of you who think Middlesbrough will win the game in 90 minutes at odds of [1.65], but it will surely offer hope to followers of Sheffield United at odds of [7.2] or even the draw at [3.95]. Boro can be backed at a ridiculously short [1.32] just to qualify from the tie, while United are available at [3.7].

The big problem we have with the home team is trying to work out which Middlesbrough will turn up. Will it be the one that beat Premiership leaders Arsenal and has just lost it's first game in almost two months, or will it be the one that couldn't beat Wigan, Sunderland, Reading or Bolton earlier in the season? Honestly, to say Boro are a Jekyll & Hyde team is an understatement - it's like going on a blind date - you never know what you're going to get until the moment is upon you.

Perhaps we will see the two sides of Boro in one game, so having a little interest on 'Sheff Utd/Boro' at [30.0] and 'Boro/Sheff Utd' at a huge looking [80.0] in the 'Half-Time/Full-Time' market might be worthwhile.

Middlesbrough have a major headache in central defence, with David Wheater suspended for the game after accumulating five yellow cards. Chris Riggot and Mathew Bates are out injured so the club will be desperate for Robert Huth to be given the green light following a knock on his foot that prevented him from playing at Anfield. With Jeremie Aliadiere suspended, Alfonso Alves could make his full debut alongside either Mido or Tuncay Sanli.

Another worry I have for Middlesbrough is a half empty Riverside Stadium come kick-off time. I'm a great believer that a packed out stadium creating a wonderful atmosphere can be of huge benefit to the home team. But on the flip side, a lot of empty seats and a silent crowd can play right into the hands of the away team. Despite reduced ticket prices, Boro will struggle to attract a big crowd with the game being shown live on TV.

Overall there are a lot of positives for Sheffield United, none more so than a fit again James Beattie in attack. Despite drawing a lot of games recently they are unbeaten in seven games now and they will fancy their chances of a minor upset following their good show in the original game. From a value perspective, and as a neutral, I think the Blades are over-priced at [7.2] - but as a Boro fan, and having the knowledge that somehow we seem to get through these ties, I'm hopeful of a home win.

Because of their defensive problems, I'd definitely lay Boro to keep a clean sheet at odds of [2.22], while for a correct score I'd be interested in the [9.4] available about 2-1. For those of you, who like me, fear a nervy encounter, then backing the draw ([3.95]), or a scoreline of 1-1 ([8.2]) might be the best way to play it - I just hope it's Middlesbrough that come through the tie in the end, and I can start dreaming of walking my son down Wembley Way.