Live on BBC1: Sat 17.30: Christian Benteke to score at any time (3/1, bet365) is one of our three FA Cup final selections.
FA Cup final shocks have been conspicuous by their absence in recent years. Although Wigan deservedly overhauled Manchester City a couple of seasons ago, the last time there was a genuine upset was in 1988, when Wimbledon beat Liverpool 1-0.
Considering this history, it’s no surprise to see Arsenal installed as Skybet’s overwhelming 4/7 favourites to defeat Aston Villa in normal time to retain the trophy they scrambled to win last season. Yet perhaps that result offers a warning for the Gunners, who just about managed to shed their complacency to beat Hull City at Wembley twelve months ago; if Tim Sherwood’s men, offered at 6/1 by BetVictor to prevai inside 90 minutes, can be more defiant than the Tigers, a shock to match Wigan in 2013 and Wimbledon 27 years ago isn’t out of the question.
Bet365 meanwhile mark 31/10 against the contest requiring extra-time and punters wary of an inconclusive affair might wish to back one of the teams to pick up the treasured silverware by any means. The North London outfit are just 3/10 (Winner.com) to lift the famous pot for the second consecutive season and Stan James make the Villans 14/5 to do likewise.
A close encounter certainly seems statistically likely given that none of the last ten finals have produced more than a one-goal margin of victory and that in itself suggests the odds are a touch lop-sided. It also strengthens the case for a stalemate, as well as Ladbrokes’s 9/2 about a score draw and a 2-2 scoreline at 18/1 via bet365. Moreover, as there’s set to be little between the sides, Villa are the value pick at 9/2 in BetVictor’s ‘Draw No Bet’ market and betway give them a goal start in the handicaps at a generous 6/4.
The pair’s last 11 meetings (which includes one FA Cup tie) have yielded 38 goals, which adds plenty of appeal to both William Hill’s 10/11 for Saturday’s contest to produce more than 2.5 goals and Stan James’s identical 10/11 about both teams finding the net.
Subequently, correct score punters could do worse than opt for a speculative flutter on Sherwood’s charges, at 20/1 (BetVictor), to edge it 2-1 (the same scoreline in favour of Arsenal is a 15/2 chance at Stan James) and bet365 price the mouth watering showdown at 7/5 to be all square at the interval.
In attack finally, the Gunners’ French front man Olivier Giroud is bet365’s 9/2 jolly to break the Wembley deadlock but there’s understandably been money for Christian Benteke at the other end, he’s already been backed in to 15/2 at Paddy Power to notch first and the Belgian striker is 3/1 (bet365) to get on the scoresheet at any time.
Recommended Bets:
Both teams to score – 10/11 (Stan James)
Aston Villa to win ‘Draw No Bet’ – 9/2 (BetVictor)
Christian Benteke to score at any time – 3/1 (bet365)
Compare all FA Cup odds and bet at the best prices.
