fa cup

How much will the transfer day deadline deals influence FA Cup Betting? Chelsea splashed out big on Fernando Torres and David Luiz to bolster their challenges on the domestic and European fronts, while other front runners Manchester United, Arsenal and Manchester City all kept things quite. That perhaps is more of a sign of their squads being settled than anything. Chelsea needed a change and they made big one. Expensive ones. There’s no doubt that Torres will make Chelsea a more potent threat. The Blues still need to get past Everton though, with a replay to come at Stamford Bridge, following the draw at Goodison Park last weekend. The winner of that will be graced with a home fixture against Championship side Reading. The big news of the fifth round draw though, was non league side Crawley Town, who landed the plum draw of Premier League leaders Manchester United at Old Trafford. This is the reward for Crawley’s heroics over Derby and Torquay so far in the tournament, and should be a wonderful experience for them. By manager Steve Evans’ words though, Crawley (who are 2500/1 FA Cup outsiders at Boylesports) aren’t turning up just to make up the numbers, reminding the press that “Miracles do happen,” and they are the only non-league team capable of beating Manchester United. Enough said. There’s an interesting draw between Aston Villa who will await the winners of the Notts County and Manchester City replay. City failed to a job in a tricky fixture and now have to complete the task back at Eastlands if they want to keep up their challenge for silverware on three fronts going. Arsenal, who are running as second favourites for the FA Cup, have themselves a trip to League One side Leyton Orient, while the only all Premier League clash comes at Craven Cottage where Fulham (who thumped a very poor Tottenham 4-0) are waiting to see who they play out of Bolton and Wigan who played out a scoreless draw. So, the fifth round draw is out, and the teams, some of them with new personnel on board, will be ready to duke it out again on Feburary 19th and 20th.

FA Cup Fifth Round Draw

West Ham v Burnley
Notts County/Manchester City v Aston Villa
Stoke City v Brighton
Birmingham City v Sheffield Wednesday
Leyton Orient v Arsenal
Everton/Chelsea v Reading
Manchester United v Crawley Town
Fulham v Bolton/Wigan

FA Cup Outright Winner Odds

Manchester United: 3/1 at Victor Chandler
Arsenal: 7/2 at Bet365
Chelsea: 5/1 at Totesport
Manchester City: 6/1 at SkyBet
Fulham: 22/1 at BetFair
Birmingham: 22/1 at William Hill
Stoke: 25/1 at Blue Square
Everton: 25/1 at Bet365
Aston Villa: 33/1 at William Hill
West Ham United: 33/1 at Bet365
Bolton: 40/1 at Bet365
Wigan: 80/1 at William Hill

Popular Online Bookmaker Victor Chandler are well worth visiting for you FA Cup betting on Sunday. With matches including Arsenal taking on Huddersfield, Manchester City’s away trip to Notts County and the London derby of Fulham v Tottenham, there is plenty of action to chose from. The question you will want to be asking yourself, is who is going to be the FA Cup Goal scoring hero? Who will be the first player to find the back of the net in the fourth round ties? Well, if you enjoy having a good First Goalscorer punt, then Victor Chandler have just the promotion for you. They are running a 1st Scorer 2nd Chance promotion for Sunday’s game, and this will give your FA Cup football betting some nice coverage. When you back a player as First Goalscorer in a match, and that player fails to open the scoring, but does score at any other time in the match, then all is not lost! If this happens, then Victor Chandler will refund your lost stake a free bet, so that you can have another go on a future match. This is great coverage, because First Goalscorer Markets can really be lucrative, and if your player fails you by not scoring, at least you can get some redemption if he scores during the match. If you enjoy First Goalscorer markets, then Victor Chandler is the place for you.

Arsenal make a great team for this, simply because they have so much firepower, and against lower opposition, you expect their players to get in amongst the goals. Look at Nasri, Chamakh, Bentdner and Van Persie for starters. Pick one out and they all have a good chance of getting on the score sheet. Will Carlos Tevez or Edin Dzeko net for City? You have to think that they would, as no-one from City really gets in amongst the goals too much, not with Balotelli out. These are the kind of places to look at when it comes to taking advantage with coverage like this. Check out Victor Chandler today for competitive prices on your football betting as well, not just for Sunday’s FA Cup, but for full coverage. If you are not a customer with Victor Chandler yet, then there is the added bonus of a free £25 bet waiting for you when you do open an account. With fantastic live in play betting services, and being packed full of sports betting promotions, Victor Chandler really are one of the stand out bookmakers available for your online betting.

More information about Victor Chandler.

Now which Manchester City will get on the coach and head to Notts County. City, while pushing hard at the top of the Premier League, and showing some very impressive away form this season, came completely unravelled when they lost 1-0 at Villa Park in the Premier League last weekend. They just lacked a killer punch really, which isn’t often said when Carlos Tevez is on the pitch. City are paired with the League One side, and really will be favourites to go through, but they will need to be much sharper and more clinical than they were against Villa. City though have done so well in the Premier League away from home, simply because they have been so incredibly tough to break down, thanks to their defensive set up. However, they have been leaking goals lately, and boss Roberto Mancini will want to get through this match without any scares. They go into the match without Adam Johnson, who is nursing a bit of an ankle injury, and City have a strong unbeaten run of nine matches against Notts County in all competitions. They haven’t played each other since 2001 mind you, and with the money spent at Eastlands, they are even stronger. So can Notts County put up anything of fight, perhaps inspired by Southampton’s efforts against Manchester United.

They aren’t going into the match in any great form, losing all three of their last league matches. Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince is the man at the helm at County, and has only been in charge for fifteen matches now. Not a spectacular record, but not a bad one, and with them having nothing to lose against City, with people expecting them to be on the end of a thumping, they should be able to play without any fear, as Ince puts it. That could make it an entertaining match, but if chances fall City’s way, then you would have to back them to put them away. Edin Dzeko will make his FA Cup debut, and could well be amongst the goals for City. City have been in good form, and are challenging on the domestic and European fronts. They will have just too much class at the end of the day, and I may not be the romp that is expected, because that really isn’t City’s style, but they have proven this season that they know how to go away and do a thoroughly professional job.

Notts County to win: 7/1 at Bet365
Draw: 15/4 at Boylesports
Manchester City to win: 4/9 at BetFred

Check out Victor Chandler for your FA Cup betting on this one. They are offering a 1st Scorer 2nd Chance promo, which means that if your first goalscorer bet fails, but the player you backed scores at any other time during the match, then you will get your lost stake refunded as a free bet. Pretty good coverage from the highly recommended online bookmaker. With Carlos Tevez at 5/2 and Edin Dzeko at 16/5 as First Goalscorers at Victor Chandler, it’s well worth taking this coverage on your betting. Victor Chandler also welcome new customers with a free £25 bet.

Fulham v Tottenham is a London derby in the FA Cup, which looks as if it will be a tight battle. Fulham aren’t exactly lighting the Premier League up much at the moment, and their form looks to be pretty hit and miss. The old stubborn Fulham which were hard to beat, is still there to some degree, as they have drawn eleven of their 24 league matches this season. Their five wins though is far too low, and they will start as underdogs against Tottenham Hotspur, naturally. Fulham really haven’t been helped with a list of absentees, including Bobby Zamora, Philippe Senderos and first choice keeper Mark Schwarzer. Fulham picked up young Chelsea forward Gael Kakuta on a loan deal, but as he played in the third round for Chelsea against Ipswich, he is cup tied and can’t make an appearance either. Tottenham have already beaten Fulham twice in the Premier League this season, and sensible betting heads have to lean towards a repeat performance, especially as Spurs haven’t lost in seven matches now against the Cottagers. The ball is in Spurs court really, and you would expect them to move ahead and make quite a big impact in the FA Cup this season, because they have been very exciting to watch, and really aren’t afraid to have a go at teams. They will be without Gareth Bale for this though, but they get back keeper Gomes and Wilson Palacios, not that they really that short of quality in their squad.

This looks a tricky tie for Spurs, and they could have hoped for something just a little bit easier. However, you would still expect them to come through this one, and the bookies seem to think so as well. Spurs just have a good record against Fulham, and they have the class to get through this one. As for Fulham, they lost to Liverpool in the week, and that busted an unbeaten run of four games (in all competitions) so there is some hope there. The most likely outcome for Fulham would be a draw, and they could battle to hold on for that, being the draw specialists which they are. If you are looking to pick a winner though, it will have to be Spurs, as Harry Redknapp is probably just to canny to let this opportunity slide. Although it would mean an extra game, he probably wouldn’t be too disappointed with a rematch at White Hart Lane if it came to it. Hard to ignore the dominance that Spurs have over Fulham, and they are the most likely winners. The FA Cup is all about who the hero goalscorer will be, and if you place a bet on any goalscorer market on this match at Stan James, then you will get a stake refund if the match ends in a 0-0 draw. Stan James are an excellent bookmaker, and their goalscorer special promotion just adds a little coverage to your first goalscorer betting.

Fulham to win: 21/10 at Boylesports
Draw: 5/2 at BetFred
Tottenham to win: 7/5 at Paddy Power

Some more great FA Cup action on Sunday, with Arsenal v Huddersfield looking to be one of the more entertaining ones. You pretty much know what it is that you are going to get from the Gunners, slick passing and more likely than not, a totally dominant display against lower opposition. The Gunners, who moved into the final of the Carling Cup with a 3-0 win over Ipswich in the week, will be looking to press home a nice draw and home advantage in the FA Cup, as they look for more silverware. Arsenal are getting some players back fit again, which should make them stronger, with Squillaci, Diaby and Rosicky all ready to pull on the Arsenal shirt again. There has been something of a rotation policy going at the Emirates this season, but one noticeable difference from this season and past ones, is that Arsene Wenger is putting out stronger sides that usual in the cup competitions. The youngsters are being held back in an attempt to end the silverware drought at the club. There is a massive 45 places between the two teams in the English standings, and there is only one expected outcome. Betting on an Arsenal win really is not going to prove too fruitful in terms of profit, as they are massive favourites. What you need to consider is how big of a margin will they win by?

The Gunners are in pretty good form, and you can’t see an upset on the cards here, even though Huddersfield are in good shape themselves. They  have not lost in their last seven matches, but you feel that the League One side will be more enjoying an afternoon out in London, as opposed to realistically be thinking of a victory. The online bookmakers certainly are not looking at anything other than an Arsenal win, and the Gunners are second favourites to win the FA Cup this year (behind Manchester Untied). Whoever Arsene Wenger puts out at the Emirates, it is going to be too good for Huddersfield. Wenger just has an embarrassment of riches in the midfield and forward department, and they should be able to run up a few goals. It is well worth doing your FA Cup betting at Victor Chandler for this one, as they are offering a 1st Scorer 2nd Chance promotion on it. This means, when you place a First Goalscorer bet, and that player fails to score the fist goal of the match, but does score at any other time, then you won’t lose out completely, as Victor Chandler will refund your lost stake on the First Goalscorer market, as a free bet. It’s pretty much take your pick from the likes of Nasri 19/4, Fabregas 19/4, Van Persie 23/10, Bendtner 17/4 and Chamakh 18/5 as first goalscorers, all of which will be good bets with this bookie insurance.

Arsenal to win: 1/7 at Totesport
Draw: 9/1 at Victor Chandler
Huddersfield to win: 22/1 at Victor Chandler

Southampton v Manchester United betting: A fascinating match down on the South Coast, between England’s top club at the moment, and Southampton, who are looking to get out of League One. Yes, there is a huge gap between the two teams, and naturally you would be looking at this draw and pencil in United for a win without much hesitation. Southampton have a great home record though, having lost just once in their last four games, and there is no doubt that they will be up for this fourth round clash. As United showed in their midweek match against Blackpool, they are a little bit vulnerable on the road, falling to a 2-0 deficit at half time. Granted, United rallied to a 3-2 win to keep their unbeaten run in the league alive, but this is the FA Cup, where dreams are made of. You can be guaranteed a fantastic atmosphere at Southampton, and with United probably sending out less than a full strength side, Southampton will create chances, and probably find the back of the net. Expect Southampton to harass and bully United at set pieces. Should be a cracking FA Cup tie. But after all the positives which you can take from Southampton’s part in this fourth round FA Cup fixture, it is Manchester United we are talking about. Somehow, someway, no matter what they face, no matter what they are up against, they will find a way just to get through. Maybe a draw would be of big of an upset as anything, and a replay at Old Trafford would pretty much guarantee United are still in the competition. They will probably go and weather a lot of Southampton storms and squeeze themselves through at the end of 90 minutes.

Southampton to win: 7/1 at Stan James
Draw: 7/2 at Bet365
Manchester United to win: 4/9 at 888Sport

Outright FA Cup Winner Odds
Manchester United: 4/1 at Unibet
Arsenal: 5/1 at Unibet
Manchester City: 5/1 at BetFair
Chelsea: 6/1 at BetFred

Bolton v Wigan betting: Bolton got trounced in the Premier League by Chelsea at the beginning of the week, and they are in a downward spiral as far as form is concerned. They were pushing hard for a tip six place, and then it all came crashing down with four defeats in their last five matches, picking up just one point. They are going through a tough patch at the moment, and boss Owen Coyle needs something to turn that all around. A home tie in the FA Cup against lowly Wigan really should be just the tonic. Bolton aren’t the direct physical side they were known as being under Sam Allardyce, and Coyle has added a little control to their play, without taking away the physicality totally. This makes them a tough side to play on their day, but they haven’t been able to put anything together, and the Reebok Stadium has been a sombre place. They need to dig deeper than what they have, and get back to doing the good things which they were doing on their great run of corm. Their defence was woeful against Chelsea, it has to be said, but hopefully for the Bolton fans that will have been the last straw and problems will have been fixed. A bit of pressure off here from the toils of the Premier League, and Bolton are worth backing. Wigan are doing even worse at the moment, and are looking more and more likely to be embroiled in a tough relegation battle at the end of the season. They did show some grit when they held Bolton to a 1-1 draw at the beginning of January, but Wigan are not a confident side at all, and boss Roberto Martinez must be really sweating for his own survival at the moment. Wigan have just one win in their last eight matches now, and the draws which were keeping them afloat just about, look as if they are abandoning Wigan as well. They have been fighting all season and could be running out of steam very soon unless changes are made. Should be a comfortable, moral boosting win for Bolton.

Bolton to win: 8/11 at William Hill
Draw: 11/4 at Bet365
Wigan to win: 9/2 at BetFred

Outright FA Cup Winner Odds
Manchester United: 4/1 at Unibet
Arsenal: 5/1 at Unibet
Manchester City: 5/1 at BetFair
Chelsea: 6/1 at BetFred

Aston Villa v Blackburn:  An interesting all Premier League clash in the fourth round of the FA Cup at Villa Park. Villa of course went shopping and landed striker Darren Bent from Sunderland, who made an immediate impact by scoring the winner on his debut against Manchester City in the league. It has been a tough season for Villa, and Gerard Houllier really hasn’t had the big impact at the club as was hoped. Villa were a solid top six team in the league last season, and at the moment, they still have worries about relegation in the back of their mind. However, they seem to be getting things together just a little bit better. What Villa are, is a young side, and that was sort of forced upon them by a terrible catalogue of injuries this season. They have had to go young, and with every match comes experience, and they have looked quite a youthful and exciting team at time, playing some attractive football. The biggest problem with them, is that they have lacked a punch up front. With Emile Heskey missing from action a lot, and Gabriel Agbonlahor also absent for a large part of the season, Villa just have not had the goals in them, and remain one of the Premier League’s lowest scoring teams. Their defensive record has not been much to shout about either, shipping 40 goals in their 24 matches. Villa have picked up back to back wins in the league now, and there are clear signs that they are going to be ok in the end. The arrival of Darren Bent should only help their cause further, being able to grab those vital goals when needed. Blackburn have also shown some improvement since their takeover. Rovers are up to eighth in the Premier League at the moment, and since being taken over, there is an air of stability at the club. They will probably spend in the summer, and Steve Kean, who stepped in when the new owners got rid of Sam Allardyce, has been charged with managing the team permanently. Blackburn have won three of their four last games now and look as if they are going to improve. Tough to pick a winner out of this one, but home advantage here, and a spirited performance in front of their home crowd, should just squeeze Villa through. Probably worth looking at coverage on a draw as well here too.

Aston Villa to win: 5/6 at Paddy Power
Draw: 11/4 at Victor Chandler
Blackburn to win: 18/5 at Victor Chandler

Outright FA Cup Winner Odds
Manchester United: 4/1 at Unibet
Arsenal: 5/1 at Unibet
Manchester City: 5/1 at BetFair
Chelsea: 6/1 at BetFred

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Well, Arsenal have been having their problems against teams from the Championship in cup competition, that’s for sure. After being held by Leeds at the Emirates in a 1-1 draw in the FA Cup third round, the Gunners then went and lost in the first leg of their Carling Cup semi final against Ipswich. Complacency would probably explain away a lot of that, as they turned out a professional display against West Ham in the Premier League on Saturday, winning 3-0 away at Upton Park, keeping up their challenge at the top of the league. So, can Arsenal get over their little Championship hump? It took a late penalty from captain Cesc Fabregas to even get them to a replay in the FA Cup third round, and a trip to Elland Road is not one that Arsene Wenger will be particularly looking forward to. He really wanted the job done at the first test, and not have the distraction of an extra game. Now he may have to shuffle his pack again to keep players fresh. It was a game of two penalties in the first match, with Leeds opening the scoring against the run of play. That was the chance they needed though, and they battled well to keep Arsenal at bay until the 90th minute. Arsenal had a chance to sneak the win right at the death, but Leeds keeper Kasper Schmeichel performed heroics to save the day. With that late penalty, Arsenal saved themselves the blushes which Manchester United had to face at this stage last season when they were knocked out at home by Leeds.

To their credit, Arsenal did completely dominate the match, and Leeds had to rely on resilience more than anything to get through the ninety minutes. That was what was expected, with the often scintillating football which Arsenal play. But just of late, Arsenal have not quite been able to find the clinical finishing edge against teams, when it has been expected of them. You really would have expected them to run up a few goals against the Championship side which has one of the worst defensive records in the league. But Leeds dug deep and it created a great afternoon of FA Cup action, and that, after all is what the FA Cup is all about. The underdogs putting their backs to the wall and looking for that one opportunity to cause a major upset. Now they get to take the Premier League side back to their home turf, where the atmosphere won’t be very welcoming for Arsene Wenger and his men. It is a busy run of games for Arsenal now, with this extra match having to be played. They face Wigan in the Premier League on Saturday, and then have to play Ipswich again on Tuesday in the Carling Cup. Arsenal will still be favourites to win this one, but you may see a bit more of a gung-ho attitude from Leeds. They won’t be afraid to have a go at Arsenal, as they will be the underdogs, and things are different when you play at home. This is quite a tricky match for Arsenal now, especially after losing away at Ipswich, who are just above the drop zone in the Championship. Is there another famous FA Cup upset on the cards from Leeds? It will certainly be another big test of Arsenal’s mental and physical fortitude.

Leeds to win: 5/1 at Bet365
Draw: 16/5 at Victor Chandler
Arsenal to win: 8/13 at Totesport

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