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FA Cup betting guide with Alexis Sanchez two good to ignore
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It’s a long time since the FA Cup was running over with romance but the teams left in as we reach the fourth round might be able to squeeze a little bit out of it.
Since Tottenham’s 1991 victory, that’s 28 finals ago, there’s only been four occasions when the famous old pot wasn’t held aloft by Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool or Chelsea.
So is it one more year for the big boys or will we have another Wigan celebrating under the Wembley arch in May.
Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City head the betting at 13/4 in front of United (9/2), Chelsea (11/2), Liverpool (6/1) and Spurs (13/2) with Leicester installed as the best of the rest and available at 25s.
Unless you’re a big hitter, there’s not much to be gained backing the big five to go through – all of them winning this weekend returns under 3/1 – but there’s plenty to get stuck into, starting on Friday night with United’s trip to Yeovil.
Jose Mourinho must decide whether to give Alexis Sanchez a run in the glamorous surroundings of Huish Park and the Chilean is 4/1 for the first goal (or take last scorer if he starts on the bench). You can get 9/2 he scores two or more while a 3-0 win for the visitors – Yeovil leak considerably more on the road than they do at home – is 6/1.
There’s three all-top-flight ties with Chelsea hosting Newcastle, Liverpool at home to West Brom with Watford, in Javier Gracia’s first game in charge, at Southampton.
Sunday’s early game at Stamford Bridge looks the pick of the bunch now that Antonio Conte’s three realistic chances of winning a trophy has become two, following the League Cup semi-final defeat by Arsenal.
If you fancy Chelsea to win the Champions League and FA Cup, Betway are offering 80/1 but, apart from battering Brighton a week ago, they don’t look much like winning two games, never mind a couple of trophies.
Luckily for them it’s the Magpies up next. If ever a team could do without a cup run it’s Newcastle. They haven’t been past this stage since 2006 and have bigger fish to fry in the shape of a battle to stay in the top tier. Chelsea are 1/2 but they’re 6/4 to win without conceding while Liverpool are 5/4 to beat West Brom without letting one in.
Manchester City (3/10) shouldn’t have many problems when they travel to Cardiff but backing them to win with both teams scoring (15/8) could be the way to go. Neil Warnock’s side have found their form again after a horrible run of four straight losses but City should stay on track for their four pieces of silverware - still 16/1 to scoop the lot.
Coventry looked very backable against Stoke in the last round before shocking the Premier League strugglers and the 1987 winners (still one of the best diving headers ever, by the way) could upset the odds again at MK Dons. The Sky Blues have lost just one of their last five – to fellow League Two high-flyers Exeter – while the Dons, two FA Cup ties aside, have won just once since early November. Coventry are 13/5 and as they don’t score or concede too many on their travels, have a look at the 10/1 on offer for them to win 1-0.
A few weeks ago Notts County may have fancied their chances of beating Swansea but Carlos Carvalhal has lost just one of six since taking over in Wales while the League Two side are now three without a win. Swansea are just under evens and although Carvalhal’s priority is the battle against relegation, he can negotiate this one.
Wigan look a better bet for a bit of cup magic at 9/5 at home to West Ham – a team who let us down last weekend.
The Latics are clear at the top of League One and eased past Bournemouth in last week’s replay – the same Bournemouth West Ham drew with after needing extra-time to see off Shrewsbury.
The Hammers are unbeaten in seven but they’ll face a stern test as Wigan have a habit of winning – only Manchester rivals United and City have won more competitive games this season than their 23.
Elsewhere, Middlesbrough against Brighton looks the best bet for a draw while Leicester are 13/20 at Peterborough or 31/20 to be winning half-time and full-time.
*Prices from oddschecker, correct at time of publication, subject to change
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