It’s FA Cup weekend and there’s an unusual look to the draw. Only four Premier League teams remain in the competition and we’re guaranteed to have a Championship side in the semi-finals from tomorrow’s tie between Sheff Utd and Blackburn.
Today’s match see’s Manchester City legend Vincent Kompany return to the Etihad with his high-flying Burnley side who look nailed-on for a quick return to the top flight.
The Clarets have been super impressive in the ultra-competitive Championship but they hold a commanding 13 point lead and haven’t been beaten since early November. They’ve already knocked out Premier League opposition in the competition, disposing of Bournemouth away from home but they lost to Manchester United in the EFL Cup
City are still battling on three fronts and yesterday’s Champions League draw handed them a tough route to the final, with Bayern Munich then either Real Madrid or Chelsea standing in their way. The FA Cup now looks their best bet for silverware this season.
The semi-final line-up has four clear favourites; City, Brighton (v Grimsby), Man Utd (v Fulham) and Sheffield Utd and there will be worse bets this weekend than the four-fold which pays 21/10.
Going by the form book it’s hard to see why Brentford are even money to beat Leicester City in the Premier League today. The Bees are having a brilliant season and have an eye on bringing European football to west London next season. Thomas Frank’s side have beaten Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool as well as sharing the spoils with Spurs, Chelsea and league leaders Arsenal this season. They go in to this game having lost just one league match since October 23rd (14 games).
The Foxes on the other hand are still flirting with the relegation zone and are just two points off the bottom. They’ve lost their last five including an FA Cup exit to Blackburn and look unlikey to become just the second tema to win at the Brentford Community Stadium.
With Leicester yet to keep a clean sheet since the World Cup Ivan Toney and co. can capitalise and take the three points.
Chelsea look like they might’ve turned the corner under Graham Potter. Three wins, including qualification to the Champions League quarter-finals, has put a sunnier complexion on things at Stamford Bridge and a visit from Everton gives them the perfect opportunity to build upon their current momentum.
The Toffess record at the Bridge is the joint worst of any team away from home in the Premier League. It’s been 27 games since they last won there and with just one win on the road this season you’d struggle to make a case for them breaking that run this evening.
You get the feeling that when things click for the Blues someone might be on the end of a thumping, especially at home. A repeat of Chelsea’s three goals at Leicester last week won’t be too far away at 12/5 against an Everton side who have conceded at least two in six of their last seven on the road.
In Scotland Motherwell and Rangers get the day under way at Fir Park at lunchtime. The Steelemen look like a new team under Stuart Kettlewell, taking 10 points from the last 12, and are well rested after a week-off due to the Scottish Cup last weekend. But Rangers have barely skipped a beat under Michael Beale, only a draw and defeat to Celtic has stopped them in their tracks.
The Gers have a good record at Fir Park where they’ve scored 17 in their last five visits and although the hosts might cause them a problem or two there’s no reason to think the three points won’t be heading back to the southside of Glasgow.
Beale’s men have scored three or more in four of their last five Premiership matches and with a good scoring record in this fixture are fancied to do so again at 5/4.
Hibernian are the visitors to Celtic Park where the relentless Hoops will no doubt put them to the sword once again. Ange Postecoglou’s side have scored 10 in the last two meetings between the sides and such is their goalscoring prowess that they’re only 4/6 to score three or more today.
Celtic are usually quick out the traps. They’ve scored inside the first 15 minutes in 15 of their 28 Premiership matches and Bet365 go 5/6 on there being a goal in the game before the 22 minute mark today. A goal inside the first 10 minutes for either side pays 5/2 – that’s happened in Celtic’s last four league games.
Early corners could be profitable too. A Celtic corner in the first 10 mins pays 10/11, two or more also appeals at 9/2. Most appealing is over 3 first half corners for Celtic which is 20/21.
In League One there’s a very obvious-looking treble to be had. Both Clyde and Peterhead have struggled all season and they’re away from home today to Alloa and Airdrieonians respectively, both of whom have strong records on their own turf. Add in table toppers Dunfermline who won’t want to give Falkirk any encouragement in second, the Pars can take another step towards promotion with a win over FC Edinburgh. The treble pays around 9/5.
Super Singles
- Brentford 1/1 SBK
- Chelsea Over 2.5 Goals 12/5 Bet365
- Celtic Over 3.5 First half corners 10/11 Bet365
Scottish Treble
- Alloa, Airdrie & Dunfermline to win 9/5 Bet365
Bonkers Bet
- Motherwell 1 Rangers 4 18/1 Bet365
The Tipsters’ Tips
- EFL Tips: Leyton Orient vs Crawley, Millwall vs Huddersfield & Sunderland vs Luton
- Scottish Tips: Aberdeen vs Hearts, kilmarnock vs St Johnstone & QoS vs Falkirk
- European Tips: Standard Liège vs Waregem & Young Boys v Basel
- English Championship Tips: QPR vs Birmingham & Watford vs Wigan
- SlipsTips Tips: Watford vs Wigan
- European BTTS Tips: Goals in Germany, France & Spain
- Scott Allot’s Euro Tips: Hosts can set the Standard
- Saturday’s Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 11/2 Over 2.5 Goals & Total Team Goals Acca
Upcoming Match Previews & Tip
- Sat 12:30 Motherwell vs Rangers
- Sat 15:00 Celtic vs Hibernian
- Sat 15:00 Brentford vs Leicester City
- Sat 15:00 Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Leeds United
- Sat 15:00 Aston Villa vs AFC Bournemouth
- Sat 15:00 Southampton vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Sat 17:30 Chelsea vs Everton
- Sat 17:45 Manchester City vs Burnley
- Sat 19:45 Udinese vs AC Milan
- Sun 12:00 Sheffield United vs Blackburn Rovers
- Sun 14:00 Arsenal vs Crystal Palace
- Sun 14:15 Brighton and Hove Albion vs Grimsby Town
- Sun 16:30 Manchester United vs Fulham
Racing Tips
Cheltenham is now behind us, but racing carries on with the Midlands Grand National taking centre stage on Saturday. Rizzel has his only bet of the day in the Uttoxeter race priced up at 33/1.
As always, let us know your best betting tips and predictions for today in the comments section below and good luck with all your bets!
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