FA CUP Betting Selections
Only twice since 1991 has the FA Cup been won by a team not coming from the big four of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool… Will this year be any different?
We’re going to take a look at the top contenders and lively outsiders.
The FA Cup is probably Liverpool’s best chance to save what has been a pretty disastrous season. At 13/2 (Bet365) Liverpool could be worth considering, but given their inconsistent form this season they would have to be a double figure price before we would consider betting on Liverpool.
Chelsea are favourites to land the trophy at 4/1 (Ladbrokes) but they may well concentrate their efforts on the Champions league and Premiership. Having made three finals in the last 10 years they cannot be discounted.
This is a competition Manchester United have always done well in the cup, even if they field under strength teams in the earlier rounds these days. Second favourites at 9/2 (Coral) United will have a solid chance.
Three times winners this decade already Arsenal can’t be overlooked as possible winners. They do appear to treat the competition quite lightly these days and we’re not too sure they provide great value at 6/1 (Skybet).
Four of the last six finals have produced unexpected finalists and we think teams to look out for this season include Aston Villa who are going well in the league. They could do well at 20/1 (Paddypower) and with bookmakers paying half the odds for a team to reach the final they look a pretty decent each/way bet. We think the same can be said for Sunderland 25/1 (Coral), Fulham 40/1 (Skybet) and last years beaten finalists Everton at 22/1 (Bet365).
Tottenham 10/1 (Coral) have enjoyed good Carling Cup runs recently but they are a bit too skinny a price for us to get excited about their chances. Burnley have done well in cup competitions over the last couple of seasons and with a bit of luck from the draw could be an each/way bet to consider at 100/1 (Paddypower).
Cardiff and Millwall have both been Championship teams who have reached the final in recent years. If we had to pick Championship teams who might have good cup run then Newcastle 100/1 (Skybet), West Brom 100/1 (Ladbrokes) and Nottingham Forest 200/1 (Paddypower) are all teams that we feel could be worth a small each/way bet.
It won’t pay to look beyond the Premier League or Championship for a winner or runner up so don’t pick a team fro any of the lower divisions.
We are going to pick three against the field and we’re going with Manchester United to win, Aston Villa each/way and at a big price Fulham each /way. If a team from outside the Premier League is going to reach the final then Nottingham Forest would be our pick with a small stake on them each/way.