Live on ITV & BTSport 1: Sat 17.00: We have four selections as Arsenal face Hull in the FA Cup final, including a 6/1 shot at Ladbrokes. Compare odds.
Bookies are anticipating a relatively one-sided affair in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley, writing off Hull’s chances and declaring Arsenal strong favourites to land their first piece of silverware for nine years.
The Gunners are just 1/2 at Paddy Power to emerge triumphant in normal time while the Tigers are as high as 7/1 at BetVictor to lift the trophy by coming out on top after 90 minutes.
However, Steve Bruce’s underdogs will take inspiration from last season’s Wembley winners Wigan, who defied heftier odds of 19/2 to dramatically defeat Manchester City, a result that ably demonstrates that there are no foregone conclusions, even if league positions suggest it’s Arsenal’s to lose.
Bet365 price the final at 7/2 to require extra time, as the final so nearly did a year ago, Stan James quote a 1-1 scoreline at 13/2 and it’s 11/2 (BetVictor) to be level at the end of each period.
Neverthless, the formbook certainly points to Arsene Wenger’s men, who won their last five Premier League outings, in stark contrast to City who took just a point from theirs and indeed the Gunners also managed a league double over Hull.
The Tigers failed to score in both of those encounters so plenty of punters will be keen to back an Arsenal success ‘to nil’ at 5/4 via Winner.com or alternatively, Ladbrokes post 6/1 against the North Londoners netting twice without reply and Stan James rate them at 13/10 in the handicaps, starting a goal in arrears.
Those prices may be considered more attractive in light of the fact that City strike duo Shane Long and Nikica Jelavic are cup-tied and their absence could mean a match tally of fewer than three goals (17/20, betway), with the Gunners just 2/5 at Skybet to grab the first.
Bet365 chalk Olivier Giroud up at 15/4 to fire that opener, Aaron Ramsey, who has bagged two in his last three, is a 7/1 chance at BetVictor to break the deadlock and the Gunners midfielder stands out at 12/5 with betway to net at any stage.
Finally, with a cagey start to proceedings likely, Stan James’s evens about the first strike arriving after the 27th minute undoubtedly catches the eye.
Recommended Bets:
Arsenal to beat Hull ‘to nil’ – 23/20 (William Hill)
First goal after 27th minute – evens (Stan James)
Aaron Ramsey to score at any time – 12/5 (betway)
Arsenal to beat Hull 2-0 – 6/1 (Ladbrokes)
Compare all FA Cup odds and bet at the best price.
