Live on ESPN: Sat 17.30: Man City are 2/13 (BetVictor) to see off Barnsley in the FA Cup and the 2011 winners should prevail comfortably.
On paper, Manchester City were the team given the kindest draw for the FA Cup quarter finals, handed as they were, a home assignment against Championship strugglers Barnsley.
Subsequently, with their route to the last four seemingly pretty straightforward, Roberto Mancini’s men became favourites to lift the trophy at 15/8 via Coral.
So can the Tykes defy the odds and cause a huge upset? Odds of 22/1 are available via Betfred for those that think they can but realistically City, BetVictor’s 2/13 favourites, hold all of the aces at the Etihad Stadium.
Twice Mancini’s charges have brushed aside stronger second tier opposition than David Flitcroft’s troops and they can also boast the scalp of Stoke in addition to those two results in the FA Cup this term.
In fact, the hosts have yet to concede a goal in the competition so a victory ‘to nil’ at 5/6 (Paddy Power) looks a pretty safe bet and the same firm chalk an enticing even money against the 2011 cup winners in the handicaps, where they start two goals in arrears.
Meanwhile, with a winning margin of more than two likely, along with a clean sheet, more ambitious punters might fancy BetVictor’s 7/1 for Mancini’s team to notch three times without reply and bet365 quote 3/1 for Carlos Tevez to break the deadlock, following his opener at Aston Villa on Monday.
Recommended Bets:
Man City (-2) to beat Barnsley – evens (Paddy Power)
Man City to beat Barnsley 3-0 – 7/1 (BetVictor)
Compare all FA Cup odds and bet at the best price.