ManUtd/Wolves

A very interesting match tonight and I'm predicting that they'll be some unusual names at the top of the Big Game tree by the end of the night. That's for two reasons, the line-ups and the possibility of extra-time.

According to the BBC five of the last six League Cup matches involving Wolves have gone to extra time. If it does then subs will be more important than ever as Big Game points are accrued during extra-time too. If one of your players goes off in the 80th minute then it's not normally too much of a problem, if they've already racked up a decent score. But if there's still 40 minutes to go then you could see a whole load of Picklive plodders go past you.

The starting line-ups are the other big factor tonight. The Beeb are reporting that Man Utd are set to name a second string and Mick McCarthy has indicated that he'll send out a strong side. How weak the Utd. side is and how strong the Wolves side is should ultimately decide who your Big Game 5 are. Wolves played well against Chelsea at the weekend and, in my opinion, are a better side than their league position indicates.

I tipped Jones, Foley and Henry last time out for Wolves and I'm standing by that again, even if Henry did get sent off last time! But I'll add Hahnemann to that list as he's been in the top 3 points scorers for Wolves for the last 3 Picklive matches. It may well be that Wayne Hennessey gets the nod in goal tonight but the whoever the Wolves keeper is he'll be worth considering. I'm going to stick my neck out and suggest picking two Wolves player - which is a lot considering they're playing at Old Trafford.

Ferguson put out a largely second string in the Picklive game away to Scunthorpe recently. If you strip out the goals & assists from that game then you get Kuszczak, Anderson, Brown and Ferdinand as the top scorers. But it depends if any of those four will actually play tonight. Ferguson has indicated that Fabio, Gibson, Kiko, Obertan, Bebe, Evans and Smalling will all be involved. Gibson has had some great scores on Picklive in the past and will be in my 5. While Smalling and Fabio have had decent scores in the past Evans has the better long term record and so will also make my 5 (unless Ferdinand starts that is).

So, the tips: 3 from Man Utd. including Gibson and possibly Evans. And 2 from Wolves including Jones and Hennessy or Hahnemann if you're feeling brave.

BensBulls
(Ben Wraith)