We have reached the business end of the FA Cup with eight Premier League clubs left to slug it out for the prestigious prize.
Photo Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Unsurprisingly, current holders of the trophy, Manchester City, are priced as 8/10 favourites to win outright, the Citizens’ 6-0 win over Watford in last season’s final was the biggest margin in the history of the competition.
The headline match of this round is Frank Lampard’s Chelsea taking on the Foxes of Leicester City. Billy Gilmour was 18-years old at the time and was the name on everyone’s lips after a stellar performance inspired the Blues to a 2-0 victory over Liverpool in the fifth round. Brendan Rodgers is almost at the finish line to clinch UEFA Champions League qualification and would surely love to cap off their brilliant season with the FA Cup in Jamie Vardy’s hands.
Manchester United will be eyeing this trophy as a somewhat realistic chance of lifting silverware. If the Red Devils are victorious, they will be level on 13 FA Cups with the most decorated club in the history of the competition, Arsenal. The Gunners, on the other hand, will need to secure this trophy to guarantee entry into next season’s UEFA Europa League as they take aim at Chris Wilder’s Sheffield United.
Saturday 27 June
Norwich City 9/2
Draw 3/1
Manchester United 11/20
(18:30)
Norwich City look certain for the drop from the Premier League back into the Championship. The Canaries will try to put their league standings to the side for this clash in a competition that is usually very prominent for giant-killings. However, Grant Hanley, Christoph Zimmermann and Sam Byram have all been ruled out for the rest of the season with hamstring injuries. Manchester United fans expect their team to lift trophies every season and anything less is considered failure. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s troops have quite favourable fixtures left in the league compared to the other contenders for UEFA Champions League qualification and plenty of depth in the squad to win this game convincingly. United beat Norwich 3-1 and 4-0 in the Premier League, select the (-1) Handicap at 29/20.
Sunday 28 June
Sheffield United 37/20
Draw 22/10
Arsenal 29/20
(14:00)
Goalkeeper Dean Henderson will return for the Blades after missing the league clash against his parent-club Manchester United. Sheffield United have exceeded all expectations this season and will want to finish strongly in order to earn a spot to the UEFA Europa League. Manager Wilder will be sweating on the fitness of defender Jack O’Connell for this match, while Arsenal will be without their influential goalkeeper Bernd Leno who suffered a knee injury against Brighton. There has been a complete raft of injuries since the return of football but the absence of Leno compounds issues as Mikel Arteta aims to steady the ship. These sides met twice in the league with Sheffield picking up four points from a 1-1 draw at the Emirates and 1-0 win at Bramall Lane. Utilize the Draw No Bet market and back at Arsenal at 15/20.
Leicester City 17/10
Draw 47/20
Chelsea 29/20
(17:00)
Leicester have had an easy run in the tournament, beating Wigan Athletic, Brentford and Birmingham City to reach this point. Rodgers will be without injured Portuguese right-back Ricardo Pereira, who is an integral part of his team and to the way the Foxes play, but all eyes will be on Chelsea’s transfer target Ben Chilwell. Lampard has started recruiting world class players with promising futures to add to his ranks of young players and Chilwell might join them soon. The last three meetings between these sides have ended in draws, but the visitors are tipped to edge this encounter. Chelsea have a superior squad and are expected to flex their muscles, go for the win at 29/20.
Newcastle United 25/2
Draw 6/1
Manchester City 2/11
(19:30)
Spirits are high at Newcastle with speculation of a billionaire Saudi Arabian prince to take over from current owner Mike Ashley and players like Allan Saint-Maximin in red-hot form. The Magpies have a rich history in English football and have won this cup six times. Manager Steve Bruce will be aiming to upset the apple cart and pull off a massive upset. Manchester City have set their sights on the FA Cup and UEFA Champions League as their chance in the league has long passed them by. The last two times these sides met at St. James’ Park, Newcastle won 2-1 and drew 2-2. Six of the last seven encounters have seen both teams score. Take Over 2.5 Goals in the Totals market at 4/10.
QUAD @ 14/1
Manchester United (-1) Handicap 29/20
Arsenal – Draw No Bet 15/20
Chelsea Win 29/20
Newcastle vs Man City – Over 2.5 Goals 4/10
Written by Bryan Naicker
