Take A Chance On Wild Rovers And White Hot Laners!
Those people who say anyone can win the FA Cup are, of course, correct
but history tends to point to the usual suspects.
The last 10 FA Cup Finals have all been won by either Man Utd (4/1 with bet365 for this year’s competition), Chelsea (3/1), Arsenal (11/2) or Liverpool (9/1). In the
1980’s there were 7 different winners, and 9 in the 70’s. This just
confirms the dominance of the ‘big 4’ and it’s no surprise to see all
four teams’ head this year’s betting.
It’s often hard to see past the favourites, but
Tottenham look a standout
bet at best-priced 14/1, considering their excellent league form. Spurs
have a comfortable looking tie at Leicester in the third round, (9/2
Leicester, 4/7 Spurs and 5/2 the draw – Live on BBC1), but have the
makings of an excellent cup team. They’re difficult to beat and will believe they
have a genuine opportunity of winning this trophy. Another team who look
overpriced are Blackburn at 50/1. Mark Hughes has quietly moved Rovers up
to eighth in the Premiership, and have a home tie against QPR (2/5
Blackburn, 6/1 QPR and 3/1 the draw). When you consider they’re double
the price of Middlesbrough (25/1 – 16th) and three times bigger than
Newcastle(14/1 – 11th), that has to be value, but be quick. The 50/1 is the
biggest price among all UK bookmakers so it may not last!
FA Cup Picks:Tottenham to win the FA Cup @
14/1Blackburn to win the FA Cup @
50/1Pool Of Talent Will Be Too Much For HattersWith every Premiership team taking on lower league opposition, there’s
bound to be a shock or two. The key is, of course, to
avoid those banana skins (Remember Exeter last year?). Man Utd take on non-league opposition again this year, but can’t really be backed at 1/14 nor can they realistically be opposed.
Liverpool (2/5) travel to Luton (6/1) for Saturday’s live game (17.30 BBC1) and should record an easy win. After
their good start to the season, Luton have nosedived, losing nine of
their last 13 games. Liverpool’s excellent form has been well-documented and an
early goal could see the Reds win at a canter. In games where they’ve led
at half time, Liverpool have won every time (7 out of 7) and they’re
10/11 to do it again.
Live Game Pick: Half-time/Full-time – Liverpool/Liverpool @ 10/11
Double Your ResultOn Sunday, Tottenham travel to Leicester (18.30 BBC1) and the
4/7 about
Spurs is giving money away. The Foxes are struggling in the Championship
and have suffered home defeats to the likes of Luton, Cardiff and Burnley
already this season. Leicester can be backed at 9/2 to win this game, but
Craig Levein will be more concerned with maintaining Leicester’s
Championship status than putting together a cup run in a competition
which ultimately they can’t win.
Live Game Pick: Double: Liverpool (2/5) & Tottenham (4/7)
Notoriously ToughFA Cup 3rd round weekend is notoriously tough. It is one of the most
difficult weekends to make money because there are more short-priced
teams than normal, and there’s always at least one team that hangs on for an
unlikely draw. Seven Premiership teams are 1/5 or shorter, and backing
all seven equates to about 8/11, so we’re going to have to look elsewhere for
value.
Everton (4/5) look a decent price to turn Millwall over. The Lions have the worst home record in the Championship and Everton’s record suggests they’re better away from home. Millwall may have won their last 2, but they were against lowly Derby and Brighton and prior to that, they’d won only one
of their previous 17. This game comes at a time when Everton are starting to
turn the corner, with influential midfielder Tim Cahill hitting form,
scoring 3 in his last 2 games.
Another standout bet is League One highfliers
Brentford to beat League
Two’s bottom club Stockport at 10/11. Stockport have won only twice all
season, and recent results include 6-0 defeats to Macclesfield and
Carlisle. Brentford have suffered only one defeat in their last nine, and
have been hovering near the top of League One all season. Stockport
managed the shock of round 1 by beating Swansea, but it’s very unlikely they
could manage a repeat against Martin Allen’s side.
Of course, there’s always a chance one of the minnows could cling on for
a draw and you’d do your cash. If you’re feeling cautious there’s always
our ‘draw no bet’ coupon, or even the Asian Handicap, which is becoming more
popular every week.
Why don't you try...FA Cup
Accumulator: Liverpool, Tottenham, Everton and Brentford pays
£188.94 (£25 Stake)
The FA Cup Accumulator pays £188.94 for £25, but you can always add on
the likes of Chelsea
(1/20), Man Utd (1/14) and Arsenal (1/10) to boost the
return, but be wary of Exeter’s incredible achievement at Old Trafford
last year. Surely that can’t happen again. Can it?
