Will it be a Cup of Cheer for Everton?
Cup matches dominate the fixtures in both England and Scotland this weekend and we’ve picked out what we think are the best bets from the matches being played.
FA CUP
Everton will be hoping that their good form this season is rewarded with a place in the final at Wembley. They are at home to Middlesbrough who suffered a heavy defeat in the league at Spurs during the week.
Middlesbrough have lost their last seven away league games and have only beaten Everton once in their last seven meetings. With Everton solid at home and Middlesbrough poor on their travels we have to select Everton to win at 7/10 (Partybets).
Don’t expect a lot of goals in this one and a bet on under 2.5 goals at 4/6 (Paddypower) is expected to pay off.
Our prediction is a 1-0 win for Everton 6/1 (Ladbrokes) Tim Cahill to get the goal at 9/2 (Partybets) could be worth backing.
Manchester United are still in with a chance of winning five trophies this season and after beating Fulham 3-0 at Old Trafford recently the bookmakers have them down as favourites at 9/10 (VCbet). We believe if United are to fail in their bid for a five timer then it could be in a game like this.
Fulham have an impressive home record this season suffering only two defeats. None of the top five apart from United have beaten them this season and although they have never beaten United at Craven Cottage in the Premier League we think they might just get a replay from this game.
Our Prediction is a draw 5/2 (Bet365) with a 1-1 correct score 5/1 (Partybets).
Coventry have done well to reach this stage but it would be a major shock if they were to beat Chelsea. Coventry are priced at 13/2 (Skybet) but we don’t think that’s a great price.
They did beat Premiership Blackburn in the last round, but Chelsea are a far better side than Blackburn and we can’t see a repeat.
Chelsea make far more appeal to us at 1/2 (bodog) and they look a banker bet .
Our prediction Chelsea to win 3-0 11/1 (VCbet).
Arsenal and Burnley meet in a fifth round tie with Hull awaiting the winners. Burnley have already beaten Arsenal 2-0 in the Carling Cup and with only one defeat in eight games they will be a danger to the Gunners.
We can’t see lightning striking twice however and even at odds of 7/1 for a Burnley win, we’ll be keeping our wallet firmly shut.
Our prediction is an Arsenal win 4/9 (Bet365).
Scottish Cup
St Mirren will be hoping there is no repeat of the 7-0 thrashing they received from Celtic at Parkhead last weekend. Unfortunately for the Paisley side we can see Celtic getting a few goals. Scott McDonald always seems to score against St Mirren and we’re selecting him to be first goalscorer at 4/1 (Paddypower).
Our prediction is a win for Celtic 2/5 (Ladbrokes) with a correct score of 3-0 21/2 (Betfair).
Rangers beat Hamilton 1-0 away from home last week but they did suffer a shock defeat to Inverness midweek and will be wary of slipping up again.
Hamilton have won three of their last four away games and at 11/1 (Partybets)we’re sure there will be a few punters having a flutter on them. We can’t see Rangers losing twice in a week at home and we’re going for the home win. Kris Boyd is 11/4 (Coral) to be first goalscorer and is always a decent bet.
Our prediction is a Rangers win 2/9 (Bet365). A bet on the 3-1 scoreline at 12/1 (Skybet) looks worth a little bet.
Since beating Celtic back in January Aberdeen have played seven matches and only won one. That win was in the cup against East Fife and only after the opponents goalkeeper was sent off early on the game. Opponents Dunfermline haven’t got the best of home records this season, but we think they will put up a good showing and could cause a surprise.
At 4/5 (Paddypower) Aberdeen don’t look a great price and we won’t be taking them.
Our prediction Dunfermline to win 4/1 (Skybet). Try a 1-0 correct score bet at 23/2 (Betfair).
Inverness should be buoyed by their shock win at Rangers midweek and against a Falkirk team who have the worst away record in the league we think a win for Inverness is more than likely.
Our prediction Inverness to win at 13/10 (Coral)