Two pundits disagree on Coventry City vs Manchester United predictions

Chris Sutton and Harry Redknapp are expecting a close contest when Manchester United and Coventry City face off in the FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.

Erik ten Hag's side face the Championship promotion hopefuls at Wembley on Sunday afternoon in what is United's last chance of achieving silverware this season after premature exits in both the League Cup and Champions League.

The Sky Blues though, fresh from a dramatic late turnaround against Wolverhampton Wanderers in last month's quarter-final, will have their sights set on a first FA Cup final appearance since 1987 and have genuine hopes of dumping United out of the cup after a string of below-par performances at Old Trafford in recent weeks.

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Sutton believes Mark Robins will get one over his former side at Wembley this weekend. In his BBC Sport predictions column, he wrote: "Coventry are not in the greatest form in the Championship, with three defeats in their past four games, but I am a romantic at heart and I believe in fairytales too. It is written in the stars that Sky Blues boss Mark Robins wins this tie, against his former club.

"My old Norwich team-mate famously scored an FA Cup third-round winner for Manchester United in 1990 that saved Sir Alex Ferguson's job, but now I think he will push Erik ten Hag closer to the exit door.

"Some United fans get very angry on social media whenever I predict they will lose, like last week when I thought Bournemouth would beat them.

"But, while I did not get the result right on that occasion, another weak United performance in their 2-2 draw validated everything I said about them. United should be beating Coventry comfortably but they have lacked consistency all season and I don't have faith in them to suddenly find it now.

"So, let me dream a little here. I've got great memories of the 1987 final, when Keith Houchen's diving header helped Coventry upset Tottenham and lift the FA Cup, and what a day it would be for them if they win. Coventry City 2-1 Manchester United. "

Redknapp, on the other hand, is expecting Ten Hag's side to book their place in next month's final with victory on Sunday afternoon but insists it will be anything but straightforward for the Reds.

Previewing the game for BetVictor, he wrote: "I’m looking forward to this one, it’s great to see Coventry back at Wembley in a big game. I still remember that final against Tottenham in 1987, what a game that was!

"They’ve had a good season, but it looks like they’ll just miss out on the play-offs. Mark Robins has done a fantastic job here down the years though and obviously has some history with Manchester United!

"United’s season all boils down to this – it’s massive for them and for Erik ten Hag. They’ve been really poor in recent weeks and the pressure will be on them here, most people expect them to get the job done.

"Don’t underestimate Coventry in this one, they are a decent side and it’s the FA Cup at Wembley, strange things can happen! I think this could be a closer that some people think, but United will probably just have too much for the Championship side.

"Bruno Fernandes divides opinion but he’s probably been United’s best player over the last month. You can’t question his energy and desire, he’s always trying to make things happen."