Live on ESPN & ITV: Sat 12.30 & 17.15: In the last 32 of the FA Cup, Chelsea, powered by Didier Drogba, are 21/20 (888sport) to beat Everton.
Last week, in the wake of Everton’s derby day revival against Liverpool, William Hill’s 11/4 for the Toffees to book their place in the FA Cup fifth round at the expense of Chelsea would have looked relatively attractive. However, since then, David Moyes’ men toiled to a home draw against struggling West Ham while the cup holders smashed four past Bolton on Monday evening to signal an ominous return to form.
Subsequently, most punters will probably fancy Carlo Ancelotti’s troops at 21/20 with 888Sport to come out on top at Goodison Park, although as Everton are the Premiership’s stalemate specialists and have lost just one match in their last nine league and cup outings, the draw at 12/5 (Paddy Power), is a significant threat to wagers on an away win.
One positive for David Moyes’ charges is that they have now started to find the net with a little more regularity but the fact that they haven’t kept a clean sheet in seven at the other end suggests that both teams will score (4/5, Totesport).
A repeat of the pair’s 1-1 draw at Stamford Bridge in December is priced by Partybets at 11/2 and that could lure some but with the match outcome a touch uncertain, the best value on Merseyside surrounds Didier Drogba. The Chelsea striker has a tremendous record against Everton having scored eight times in eleven meetings with the Toffees and he’s a tasty 13/10 courtesy of bet365 to notch again.
Another all-Premiership affair sees Fulham entertain Tottenham and it’s the latter, at 5/4 with Stan James, that can sneak it at Craven Cottage, where victory for Harry Redknapp’s side by a one-goal margin is an enticing 16/5 (Stan James). Spurs’ neighbours Arsenal should also be in the hat for the fifth round draw, they’re priced by Betdaq at 1.18 (2/11) to eliminate Huddersfield at the first attempt and evens with Paddy Power to beat the Terriers ‘to nil’ at the Emirates Stadium.
Manchester United make a tricky trip to Southampton but should have too much for the hosts, rating an away win at 4/11 and Paddy Power posting 13/10 against the Premiership leaders combining victory with a clean sheet while United’s rivals Manchester City are 2/5 (Betfred) to do what Sunderland couldn’t and beat Notts County.
Quoted by Stan James at 10/11, Aston Villa can utilise home advantage to get the better of Blackburn, similarly Bolton are 8/11 with Ladbrokes to defeat Wigan at the Reebok Stadium and home wins should be on the cards for Burnley (2/5, William Hill) and Birmingham (8/13, Coral) as they entertain Burton Albion and Coventry respectively.
Elsewhere, the tie between Wolves and Stoke is 23/10 courtesy of Paddy Power to require a replay and West Ham and Nottingham Forest are 3.5 (5/2) with Betdaq to also need a second meeting. Meanwhile, in terms of potential shocks, post a tasty 12/5 against Stevenage upsetting Reading, the same firm make Crawley 5/2 to emerge triumphant at Torquay and Brighton (7/2, Totesport) shouldn’t be discounted at Watford.
Recommended Bets:
Didier Drogba to score at any time for Chelsea v Everton – 13/10 (bet365)
Tottenham to beat Fulham by one goal – 16/5 (Stan James)
Manchester United to beat Southampton ‘to nil’ – 13/10 (Paddy Power)
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