Live on BBC1: Sat 17.20: We have two picks in this week’s FA Cup semi-finals including a 7/2 first goal flutter (Betfred).
Two FA Cup semi-finals and Chelsea’s Premier League showdown against Manchester United share top billing this weekend but for punters it’s arguably Liverpool’s clash with Aston Villa, of the three mouth watering contests, that provides the best value betting opportunities.
Paddy Power have installed the Reds as 8/13 favourites to book a place in the final in normal time while Tim Sherwood’s troops, full of confidence following a surprise victory at Spurs that saw them move closer to top flight safety, are as high as 11/2 at BetVictor to prevail in 90 minutes and bet365 quote the tie at 3/1 to go to extra-time.
Punters expecting Villa’s improvement under Sherwood to continue can tackle BetVictor’s 19/4 for them to hold Liverpool to a score draw and a 1-1 scoreline can be backed at 13/2 via Stan James. Nevertheless, forgivable defeats to high-flying Manchester United and Arsenal aside, Liverpool have been in decent form and they should ultimately have too much for their opponents, albeit in what looks set to be a tight encounter.
Those in agreement can tackle bet365’s 13/5 about the Reds shading it by a one-goal margin, they’re 6/1 courtesy of Winner.com to prevail 1-0, just as they did in the quarter-final replay against Blackburn last week and bet365’s 15/2 for Liverpool to register a 2-1 triumph is set to appeal to punters expecting both teams to find the net (5/6, Stan James).
In the other last four contest, Arsenal are inevitably well fancied at 2/7 via Skybet as they come up against Championship Reading and the Gunners’ likely dominance is reflected by the fact that the Royals are 12/1 (BetVictor) to cause a huge upset.
Punters slightly put off by Arsenal’s skinny odds can back them at 8/11 in bet365’s handicaps, where they start a goal behind and BetVictor go 6/1 about Arsene Wenger’s men notching twice without reply. Olivier Giroud meanwhile, is the stand out selection in the first scorer betting at odds of 10/3 with William Hill.
Recommended Bets:
Liverpool to beat Aston Villa by one – 13/5 (bet365)
Olivier Giroud to score first – 7/2 (Betfred)
Compare all FA Cup odds and bet at the best prices.
