We often hear talk about the FA Cup not being the Tournament it was, but when you consider the quality on display in this week’s semi-finals it appears to be in a very healthy state. We take a look at both semi-finals and suggest a bet in each match.
First though a look at the Outright Betting where Manchester City are 6/10 favourites ahead of United 37/10, Chelsea 19/4 and Arsenal the underdogs at 23/2. Click here to bet
ARSENAL v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Both semi-finals will take place at Wembley and none of the sides will have home ground advantage.
Arsenal are coming off an excellent 2-1 come from behind win over Liverpool in the League on Wednesday night and the FA Cup run has been relatively untroubled opening with a home win against Leeds and following that up with away wins over Bournemouth, Portsmouth and Sheffield United in the quarter-finals.
City had to work hard for their victory over Bournemouth on Wednesday and like Arsenal they have been untroubled as they have marched through to the last 4 of this Tournament with comfortable home wins over Port Vale and Fulham followed by away wins over Sheffield Wednesday and Newcastle in the quarters.
Manchester City did the double over Arsenal in the League this season winning both fixtures 3-0 and City have won their last 7 matches against Arsenal in all competitions.
These sides last met in the FA Cup in the semi-final back in 2017 with Arsenal winning in extra time.
Betting
Arsenal 31/4
Draw 9/2
Manchester City 3/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Arsenal (+2) at 9/10
I am not surprised to see City are favourites here, but I think Arsenal have been a bit under-estimated by the bookmakers, I reckon they have the ability to push this to a replay or perhaps lose by 1 goal only.
MANCHESTER UNITED v CHELSEA – Click here to bet
United required extra time to beat Norwich away in the quarter-final and they also needed a replay to beat Wolves back in January when they started with their campaign. In between that they had comfortable wins over Tranmere and Derby on the road. They have been in good form in the League although were disappointed to draw 2-2 at home to Southampton last time out.
Chelsea have had a smoother run to the semi-finals, beating Nottingham at home, Hull away, Liverpool at home and then Leicester 1-0 on the road in the quarter-finals.
Chelsea and United are in a battle for a Top 4 finish in the League and Chelsea got a shaky but invaluable 1-0 win over Norwich last time out.
Manchester United did the Premier League double over Chelsea, winning 2-0 on the road and 4-0 at home this season and these sides last met in the FA Cup back in 2019 when Manchester United won 2-0 away.
Betting
Manchester United 27/20
Draw 47/20
Chelsea 41/20
Suggested Bet: Manchester United win at 27/20
I feel United are playing the better of the two sides at the moment and can book their spot in the final in regulation time.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
