IT’S FA Cup weekend and there’s only one show in town.
Big game is Chelsea v Man United but that’s not until Monday so I’m focusing on the other team in Manchester who could take two three steps to a quadruple this week.
Today City aim for an FA Cup quarter-final spot at giantkilling minnows Newport, on Wednesday visit Schalke in the Champions League and on Sunday tackle Chelsea at Wembley in the EFL Cup Final.
So it’s a massive, possibly season-defining, nine days for Pep Guardiola’s men and you can be sure some top stars will be rested at Rodney Parade.
The venue and playing surface will be a culture shock to City’s pampered superstars but they should be professional enough to get the job done.
Despite rotating City have won their last four cup ties by an aggregate of 22-0 including 9-0 at home to Burton and 5-0 against Burnley.
Last weekend they thrashed Chelsea 6-0 in the Premier League so Newport’s aim should be to escapewith their pride still intact.
That means losing 3-0 or 4-0 and my best bet is City -2 at 4-6 with Paddy Power while -3 returns 13-8 with the Irish firm.
The Welsh side are as big as 34-1 at Marathonbet and 6-5 just to score but even the latter would be a triumph.
Sergio Aguero won’t be risked here but Gabriel Jesus will start and he has hit six goals in four cup appearances this season and is 31-10 at Unibet to break the deadlock.
First up today it’s Brighton at home to Frank Lampard’s Derby and this could be a cracker.
Derby beat Southampton on penalties in the last round and won’t fear another trip to the south coast.
If Lamps takes this more seriously than his counterpart Derby could qualify at 2-1 with Ladbrokes.
Today’s other tie sees Wimbledon, who beat West Ham, face Millwall who knocked out Everton. The Lions should roar here and the away pays evens at BetVictor.
If there’s a shock it could come tomorrow at the Keepmoat Stadium where Doncaster entertain Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace.
Rovers are in the fifth round for the first time since 1956 and are 5-1 at Paddy Power to win in 90 minutes.
The League One men are going well while Palace boss Roy Hodgson will rotate with his side just three clear of the drop zone.
There are no replays remember so it’s extra time and penalties if needed and Donny are 3-1 with Paddy Power to qualify.
No Premier League games so let’s look at a Championship card that threw up loads of shocks in midweek.
One of those saw Norwich knocked off the top with a 3-1 defeat at Preston – and another was Bolton’s win at Birmingham.
Two sides face off today and I’m backing the Canaries to bounce back although I would have liked a little bigger than 8-11 at BetVictor.
Teemu Pukki hit his side’s consolation at Deepdale for his 22nd league goal of the season and is turning out to be the player Celtic thought he would be. The Finn is 21-20 with McBookie to score.
Another hot striker is Sheffield United’s Billy Sharp with six in six games and his side have won seven out of eight. Back the Blades at 1-2 with McBookie at home to Reading and take Sharp to give them the cutting edge with a goal at 21-20 at McBookie.
Luton have reacted superbly to the loss of boss Nathan Jones by winning five in a row to storm eight clear at the top of League One. I’m on them again today at 6-5 with Coral at Fleetwood.
Second-placed Barnsley, unbeaten in 11, will be on plenty of accas at 1-2 at home to Wycombe.
In League Two I like Grimsby, who have won seven of nine at home, at a big price of 13-10 with Unibet at home to lowly Cheltenham. Cambridge and Lincoln also look solid homes.
Recommended Bets
- Jesus (Man City) to score first (31-10, Unibet)
- Pukki (Norwich) to score (21-20, McBookie)
- Sharp (Sheffield Utd) to score (21-20, BetVictor)
- Luton (6-5, Coral)
- Grimsby (13-10, Unibet)
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