The FA Cup quarter finals take place this weekend and @Olimp_SA have a preview including betting tips for Manchester City vs Newcastle and Manchester United vs Liverpool
The 2023/2024 FA Cup is down to just 8 teams and the semifinalists will be decided this weekend! Here`s what we`ve picked to get involved in!
Manchester City vs Newcastle United
Manchester City secured their FA Cup quarterfinal spot after breezing past Luton Town in a 6-2 win. They`ve kept a strong form going into the quarterfinal, beating Manchester United 3-1, Copenhagen 3-1, and just a 1-1 draw against Liverpool last weekend. Returning to the Etihad this weekend, Manchester City holds a home form any visiting opposition should be worried about – the Citizens are yet to lose a single Premier League, Champions League, or FA Cup game in front of the home fans this season. Furthermore, the Citizens have extended their unbeaten run to 21 games in all competitions in the Liverpool draw, and we can`t see this changing considering Man City has beaten Newcastle United in 15 of their last 16 games at the Etihad.
Sitting 10th in the Premier League, the FA Cup is the only hope for Newcastle United of touching any silverware this season. The Magpies have been up-and-down leading up to the quarterfinal, as they`ve lost 4-1 to Arsenal, but beat the likes of Blackburn and Wolves, although losing 3-2 to Chelsea before the Man City clash. Doing little to boost their odds in their away form this season – the Newcastle side won just 3 of their 14 away games in the Premier League and have failed to win a single away game in the Champions League, although they have won 3 of their away games in the FA Cup. However, as previously mentioned, the Magpies have had little luck at the Etihad in recent years, with their last victory on the blue side of Manchester dating back to 2014. Their last meetings with Chelsea ended 3-2, and considering their recent form the Magpies can maybe find the back of the net on Saturday. Ultimately, however, it is hard to see them overpowering a confident City side. Therefore, we anticipate both teams to score, over 2.5 goals, and Manchester City to win.
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Manchester United secured their spot in the quarterfinal after a narrow 1-0 victory in Nottingham. They went on to stumble in the Manchester Derby in a 3-1 defeat but bounced back with a 2-0 victory over Everton last weekend. The win against the Toffees would`ve given them the morale boost they need as they return to Old Trafford where they`ve beaten Liverpool in their last meeting at the Theatre of Dreams. Their home form in the Premier League has been decent, as they've lost just 1 of their last 5 Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, and with the likes of Rasmus Hojlund returning from injury for the Liverpool clash, we expect them to give Liverpool a challenge in front of the home fans. The 2 sides have already met in the Premier League this season, where they settled for a 0-0 draw, and if United show up on the day, considering the stakes, we can expect a close contest.
Liverpool breezed past Southampton in the FA Cup and have enjoyed a strong run of form ever since – going 4 games unbeaten in all competitions, winning 3 against Forest, twice against Sparta Prague, and taking a 1-1 draw against City. The Reds go into the game full of confidence following a whooping 11-2 aggregate win against Sparta Prague in the Europa League – displaying an attacking force a lacking United outfit will be concerned about. Klopp`s final season is currently setting up for a possible quadruple, having won the Carabao Cup, and still contesting for the Premier League, FA Cup, and the Europa League. Although Liverpool is a considerably better side than Manchester United on paper, the Red Devils tend to show up in important games where they are the underdogs. As mentioned, the 2 sides already played a 0-0 draw this season, and Liverpool lost 2-1 in their last visit to Old Trafford, although they`ve won the 2 before that.
Ultimately, it is difficult to pick a winner, but this fixture has proven to bring us goals, with 4 of their last 5 competitive meetings ending in over 2.5 goals. Therefore, we expect both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in this game.
Bet on all FA Cup fixtures here!
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing, but are subject to change.
