FA CUP Matches 2/3 January
The FA Cup is always good for throwing up a surprise or two and we have looked at all the matches and think we have come up with some matches that could bring surprise results and others where we think there is decent value.
Saturday
Blackburn have only managed one point from a possible 15 in their last five visits to Villa. At odds of 8/13 (Paddypower) Villa look a decent price to get a win and we think they will win by 1-0 6/1 (Coral). James Milner is our pick to get the goal at odds of 9/1 (Skybet).
Huddersfield Town have a pretty formidable home record this season and are unbeaten in 12 home league games. Opponents West Brom are second in the Championship and haven’t lost away in their last six matches. This should be an open game and the over 2.5 goals 4/5 (Coral) looks worth a bet. Our prediction in this match is a home win 11/5 (Bet365) with a 2-1 scoreline 10/1 (Ladbrokes).
At only 4/9 (Skybet) we think Liverpool look like a banker bet against Reading. The Cup looks like Liverpool’s only real chance of silverware this season and against a team with no wins in their last five matches they have to be backed.
We’re taking Liverpool to win and think a 3-0 correct score bet 9/1 (Paddypower) could be a winner.
There’s nothing on current form that would suggest Middlesbrough would cause an upset against Manchester City, but we think they just might. Boro’ have had a good home record against City over the years and they will be fired up for this cup tie. We’re predicting the shock of the round with Middlesbrough getting a home win 9/2 (Ladbrokes) and think the 2-1 scoreline 18/1 (Skybet) is worth considering.
Burnley 11/10 (Bet365), Derby 7/4 (Skybet) and Doncaster 5/4 (Coral) all look as if they can get wins at decent odds.
Sunday
Leeds United are on a long unbeaten run and they won’t be a pushover for Manchester United at Old Trafford. At 1/4 (Bet365) United are warm favourites to win the match, but we’re sticking our necks out a bit here and selecting a draw 9/2 (Coral) to be the outcome. Manchester United will probably rest a few players and we can see Leeds scraping a 1-1 result 11/1 (Ladbrokes). Jermaine Beckford 9/1 (Skybet) could be worth a small bet to be first goalscorer.
Arsenal had to settle for a 2-2 draw in the league at West Ham, but they are in better form now and we don’t think they will lose this match. We’re predicting a win for Arsenal at 8/13 (Paddypower) and think a little flutter on a 2-0 correct score 13/2 (Paddypower) might get the New Year off to a winning start. Our pick t be first goalscorer in this game is Theo Walcott 8/1 (Skybet).