FOOTBALL BETTING:
Betrescue’s Chief Sports Writer Chris Hutcheon takes his weekly look at all the major Fourth Round FA Cup action in England.
The FA Cup fourth round takes centre stage this weekend with holders Chelsea Bet365‘s 3/1 favourites to retain the trophy. Arsenal are a best price 11/2 at Betfred and Ladbrokes
With Liverpool and Manchester United making shock exits in the last round, 888sport make it 1/2 that this year’s winner will come from a team other than the these four for only the second time in 15 years. Manchester City, who last won the Cup back in 1969, come next in the betting at 6/1 at Betfred, followed by Spurs (13/2 Coral), and Aston Villa who can be backed at 9/1 with Victor Chandler. You then start hitting the big numbers with Everton a 16/1 shot (totesport), Fulham (22/1 Stan James) and Birmingham at 33/1 with William Hill. Compare Odds on the outright winner of the FA Cup
Onto the ties and there are some cracking looking matches for punters to get stuck into.
Leeds United’s reward for their stunning win at Old Trafford in the third round of the cup is another trip to high-flying Premiership opponents, this time in the shape of Spurs.
Again the League One outfit will kick off as huge underdogs, at 9/1 with 888Sport and they are 20/1 (Totesport) to once more grab the game’s only goal, but despite their heroics at Old Trafford, it’s hard to see them upsetting the odds again at the expense of Harry Redknapp’s side.
Paddy Power’s 3/10 for Tottenham to book their place in the fifth round at the first time of asking therefore looks a safe bet, although Simon Grayson’s troops can nevertheless ensure that Spurs are given a difficult evening at White Hart Lane, where Stan James offer 11/2 for the hosts to notch twice without reply; a wager that might be worth insuring with a modest flutter on Redknapp’s men to prevail by a one-goal margin.
In terms of goal, it’s shaping up to be a battle between Jermain and Jermaine as Messrs Defoe and Beckford shoot it out, but it’s the former that can come out on top, he’s 7/2 (William Hill) to notch first and 5/6 with Stan James to strike at any time while the Leeds man, scorer of the only goal against Manchester United is 9/4 at bet365 to find the net and 7/1 (Betfred) to break the deadlock once more.
Like Tottenham, cup holders Chelsea are 3/10 (Jaxx.com) to emerge triumphant, as they head to Preston and they too should ensure safe passage to round five at Deepdale, where a 2-0 triumph for Carlo Ancelotti’s charges is a generous 11/2 courtesy of 888Sport and a Nicolas Anelka opener is chalked up by bet365 at 10/3.
At the Britannia Stadium on Sunday, Arsenal are 4/5 with Betdaq to get the better of Stoke (4/1, Ladbrokes) and an away is also on the cards at Glanford Park as Manchester City, at 2/5 with Jaxx.com, lock horns with Scunthorpe.
Reading accounted for Liverpool in round three and they are 9/4 (Partybets) to earn a replay as they host Burnley but a host of other weekend ties look set to result in home wins.
Victor Chandler for example, make Aston Villa 1/5 to beat Brighton, Paddy Power post 4/5 against a Bolton victory against Sheffield United, Everton are 10/11 with Betdaq to edge out Birmingham and Portsmouth appear overpriced at 6/4 (Stan James) as they prepare to take on off-colour Sunderland at Fratton Park.
Online firm bet365 meanwhile, quote Southampton at 13/8 to cause a mini-upset against Ipswich, West Brom are 11/8 with 888Sport to send Newcastle packing and Wolves (5/6, Victor Chandler) should sneak past Crystal Palace.
To compare all the weekend’s match odds, click here or to claim over £2500 in free bets, click here.
