Saturday, March 9, 2013

Odds against Chelsea in FA Cup - Sportal.com.au


Manchester United may have crashed out of the Champions League in controversial circumstances in mid-week but the Red Devils can take a giant step towards pulling off yet another domestic double by knocking holders Chelsea out of the FA Cup on Sunday.


The quarter-final showdown between the record 11-time winners and the team that has won the FA Cup in four of the past six years in Chelsea is the highlight of 'Super Sunday' in England on a day when high-flying Tottenham also visit Liverpool in the English Premier League.


United are all but assured of winning an incredible 13th EPL title in the past 21 years - under Sir Alex Ferguson - given they lead second-placed Manchester City by 12 points with just 10 matches remaining.



But amazingly United - who have won the famed EPL title/FA Cup double on three occasions in 1994, 1996 and 1999 (when they produced an historic treble by also winning the Champions League) - have not tasted FA Cup success since 2004.


That is a life time for a club with United's resources and winning tradition and with the Champions League campaign now over - following Real Madrid's two late goals at Old Trafford on Tuesday night after the harsh red card shown to Nani - Ferguson can now attack the FA Cup with renewed vigour.


United look good value at $1.67 at Eskander's Betstar, $1.74 at Centrebet and best odds of $1.81 with Betfair to beat Chelsea on Sunday - with the Blues paying $4.80, $4.50 and $4.90 respectively.


Chelsea's FA Cup record is simply incredible in recent seasons but the Blues are a distant fourth in the EPL this season - some 19 points behind United - and have had two days less to prepare for this game after travelling to Romania for a Europa League tie on Thursday night.


That game ended in a humiliating 1-0 loss to Steaua Bucharest as Chelsea's inconsistent form under unpopular interim manager Rafael Benitez continues.


The other FA Cup quarter-final on Sunday however is much tougher to predict between Championship rivals Millwall and Blackburn.


Blackburn are just one point and two places better off in the league in England's second tier competition but neither side are setting the world on fire, with Rovers in 13th place and the Lions in 15th.


Millwall were runners-up to United the last time the Red Devils won the FA Cup in 2004 and while Blackburn have not played in an FA Cup final since 1960 or lifted the trophy since 1928 - Rovers have won the League Cup as recently as 2002 and of course the EPL title in 1995.


And with neither side in great form - Millwall have lost three of their past four games while Rovers are winless in their past six in the Championship - we will go for a draw in this one at odds of $3.45 at Betfair, where Millwall are favourites at $2.50 with Rovers at $3.20.


There are also two EPL clashes on Sunday, with the big one at Anfield where seventh-placed Liverpool host third-placed Spurs.


And given that Spurs have lost just two of their past 24 matches in all competitions and have their superstar Gareth Bale in peerless form - 10 goals in his past eight games in all competitions, including goals in each of his past five EPL appearances - they look great value to win this one at $4.10 at Betfair.


However Spurs' record at Anfield in terrible with their 2-0 win two seasons ago, their first at the ground in the EPL for nearly two decades.


With that in mind and given they have won their past two EPL fixtures by 5-0 against Swansea and 4-0 against Wigan, Liverpool are the favourites at $1.97 at Betfair but Spurs - fresh from thrashing Inter Milan 3-0 in the Europa League on Thursday night - head to Liverpool with their confidence sky high.


And finally in the other EPL game on Sunday, Newcastle should ease their slight relegation worries and continue their recent improved form by winning at home against out-of-form Stoke (one win in nine in the EPL) at odds of $1.88 at Betfair while the visitors are paying $4.90 and the draw $3.70.


*Note prices subject to change


Bet of the day: Back United and Newcastle to win


Value bet of the day: Spurs are great value against Liverpool while the draw looks tempting in the Millwall-Blackburn FA Cup quarter-final.



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