Jose Mourinho works on the sound principle that if his team scores a goal they will win a match if they don’t concede. He is particularly fond of this adage in fixtures on the road and it could apply to Manchester United’s EFL Cup quarter-final tie at Bristol City tonight. His mentality may not endear him to neutrals but it often ends with his teams running around a stadium with a trophy. Its all about the end result with Mourinho and his record justifies this approach. United won the Europa League and League Cup in his first season as manager at the club.
Mourinho targets trophies and knows the value of picking up silverware. Love or hate him he respects the so-called minor competitions and lower ranked clubs by picking a side for the occasion and not prioritising more important upcoming matches. The key to the outcome of tonight’s tie in Bristol is the quality of United’s starting 11. However, even the first string have won the last three matches by just one goal. Mourinho’s sides are masters at winning matches without playing well. The logical conclusion is to back MANCHESTER UNITED and under 2.5 goals at 16/5 with Ladbrokes.
In the other tie there is evidence to suggest Bournemouth can eliminate Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The home side are now well off the pace in the title race so the Champions League takes on greater importance. It’s questionable if Antonio Conte sees the value of the League Cup even though the winners qualify for the Europa League. Bournemouth are facing a struggle against relegation and were pretty dire in losing 4-0 to Liverpool at home on Sunday. Motivation is key and BOUNEMOUTH can qualify for the semi-finals and that option is 13/2 with Betfair.
Ludlow stages a jumps fixture today which offers £100,000 in prize money which is a fine achievement for a small rural track staging a midweek meeting. Prize money at the two All Weather fixtures at Lingfield and Kempton today is just £76,000 in total which is derisory for 16 races. The richest race at Ludlow is a handicap chase at 1.20pm. COLIN’S BROTHER won this race last tear so is proven over course and distance and is worth backing to win it again at 5/2 with William Hill.
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