A few weeks ago the FA Cup looked very unlikely to take place, but the quarter-finals are played over a Saturday and Sunday this weekend and we take a look at all 4 games and suggest a bet in each.
NORWICH V MANCHESTER UNITED – Click Here to bet
Norwich have reached the quarter-finals despite playing all 3 of their games so far away from home. In the Round of 16 they beat Tottenham 2-1 on penalties and previously had seen off Burnley and Preston. Things continued to look very bleak for Norwich in the League and they sit bottom of the table, 6 points adrift of the second last team.
Manchester United beat Derby 3-0 away in their last 16 match and prior to that they trounced Tranmere 6-0 and beat Wolves 1-0 at home in a replay after the first leg finished in a goalless draw.
Betting
Norwich 23/4
Draw 7/2
Manchester United 9/20
Suggested Bet: Manchester United clean sheet, YES, at 11/10
United have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season and I am backing that run to continue.
SHEFFIELD UNITED V ARSENAL – Click Here to bet
Sheffield United required extra time to beat Reading 2-1 away in their last 16 match, prior to that they had beaten Millwall on the road and AFC Fylde 2-1 at home. They haven't looked that good in the English Premier League since returning to action and have lost 2 in a row.
Arsenal beat Portsmouth 2-0 away in the last round, prior to that they saw off Bournemouth on the road and beat Leeds 1-0 at home. The are coming off a win away to Southampton on Thursday night in the EPL.
Betting
Sheffield United 41/20
Draw 9/4
Arsenal 14/10
Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals 15/20
Both of these sides are struggling for form and I can see quite a cagey encounter with a few tired legs after a busy run of League matches.
LEICESTER V CHELSEA – Click Here to bet
Leicester saw off Birmingham 1-0 at home in the last 16 and in the Round of 32 they beat Brentford 1-0 on the road having seen off Wigan 2-0 at home in the 3rd Round.
Chelsea had a tough last 16 Round against Liverpool, but came through 2-0 victors, they had previously beaten Hull on the road and Nottingham at home. On Thursday night they beat Manchester City 2-0 at home in the league.
Betting
Leicester 37/20
Draw 12/5
Chelsea 29/20
Suggested Bet: The draw at 12/5
There is generally not much between these sides and they have drawn 3 out of their last 4 League matches against each other and in fact, 4 of the last 5 matches in all competitions. At the FA Cup encounter in 2018 they finished level after 90 minutes with Chelsea going on to win in extra time.
NEWCASTLE V MANCHESTER CITY– Click Here to bet
Newcastle have taken the long route to the quarter-finals requiring replay victories over Rochdale first up, where they won 4-1 at home to book their place against Oxford United who they then beat in extra time on the road (another replay) which took them into the last 16 where they overcame West Brom 3-2 away from home. They have taken a win and a draw from their 2 matches in the Premier League since the COVID-19 break ended.
Manchester City were given some cheek in the last 16 beating Sheffield Wednesday 1-0 away from home, but they had few problems in seeing off Fulham and Port Vale in the previous rounds, 4-0 and 4-1 respectively. With the title race now officially over all eyes will be on the FA Cup.
Betting
Newcastle 13/1
Draw 25/4
Manchester City 2/11
Suggested Bet: Newcastle +2 at 14/10
Newcastle have a decent home record against Manchester City and they would have had that little bit of extra rest before this fixture. I can’t see them beating a City side which will be focused on their FA Cup, but for this bet to arrive we need them to not lose by more than a goal.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
