Online betting site Ladbrokes have some attractive odds on some of the big guns lining up a shot at the FA Cup. The stand out price really could be the odds of 5/1 on Chelsea to lift the title under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. The Blues were handed a comfortable fourth round tie at home against Stoke, but even that left them still dangling at longer odds than perhaps would be expected.
It is true that Chelsea really haven’t been firing on all cylinders this season, but Chelsea remember, have won three of the last five FA Cups, and have been to the semi finals in four of the last five season. That makes them a very tempting shot at odds of 5/1 so early in the competition.
Still heading up the market with firm favouritism is Manchester City, who still have to get through a replay against Championship side Blackburn. City are trading at 4/1 which makes the price of Chelsea (who are third favourites) even more attractive given their recent track record in the competition.
Arsenal, who saw off North London rivals Tottenham in their big Third Round tie, were rewarded with a nice home fixture against Coventry will attract punters, but their recent record in the competition can’t stand up to that of Chelsea’s. Arsenal’s have made just one quarter final in the last four FA Cup editions, so not exactly bankable and questions will be asked about the depth of their squad to balance an FA Cup run with a Premier League title challenge.
Liverpool are still around 5/1, the same price as Chelsea, however, the Reds perhaps will have a much bigger eye on trying to gain themselves a Champions League spot than pushing too hard for the FA Cup title. So where is the rest of the value that punters have been leaning towards after the fourth round draw? Everton at 9/1 and Southampton 16/1, while Manchester United’s conquerors Swansea and last year’s League Cup winners are a 25/1 shot.
FA Cup 4th Round Draw
Sunderland vs. Kidderminster or Peterborough
Bolton vs. Cardiff
Southampton vs. Yeovil
Huddersfield vs. Charlton or Oxford
Port Vale or Plymouth vs. Brighton
Nottingham Forest vs. Ipswich or Preston
Southend vs. Hull
Rochdale vs. Macclesfield or Sheffield Wednesday
Arsenal vs. Coventry
Stevenage vs. Everton
Wigan or MK Dons vs. Crystal Palace
Chelsea vs. Stoke
Blackburn or Manchester City vs. Bristol City or Watford
Bournemouth or Burton vs. Liverpool
Birmingham, Bristol Rovers or Crawley vs. Swansea
Sheffield United vs. Norwich or Fulham
