Football Betting
Cup Quarter-Finals could be Destined for Stalemate
Given the option, there are few clubs who would welcome another match added to their schedule at this stage of the season. There is every chance , however, that as many as three of this weekend’s FA Cup quarter-finals will require a replay before it’s decided who will progress to the last four.
The one exception is probably at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea can finally put an end to Stoke City’s attempt to reach their first FA Cup Final. City have to be applauded for knocking both Arsenal and Manchester City out of this season’s competition, but both those victories were achieved in front of their own fans and several of Stoke’s players are now beginning to look as though they are running on empty. In addition, they’ll be without key defender Ryan Shawcross at Chelsea following the defender’s unfortunate involvement in the Aaron Ramsey incident last week. The suspended Ballack and Belletti will both be missing for the home side but they have the resources to replace both effectively and should justify odds of 1/4.
Chelsea v Stoke
Draws could be the order of the day in the other three ties, however. Portsmouth, winners in 2008, have a relative day off from their woes as they entertain Birmingham City. Pompey’s players seem to have had a load lifted from their shoulders since the club entered administration and were deserving winners at Burnley last time. They still carry a goal threat and are capable of causing inconsistent Birmingham plenty of problems. The Brummies have struggled to get past Championship opposition in this season’s competition, though they did notch a surprise win at Everton in round four.
It’s 23/10 for the draw, the same odds as the Fulham-Tottenham tie to end in a stalemate. Fulham are in a great run of form at the moment, being unbeaten since the end of January. They are also through to the last 16 of the Europa League but Spurs are a big step up from Swindon, Accrington Stanley and Notts County, Fulham’s opponents up to now in this season’s FA Cup.
Harry Redknapp’s team should have enough about them to get at least a draw at Craven Cottage and Reading, too, can deny Aston Villa an easy passage into the semi-finals. The Royals’ best work this season has probably been on the road but they dramatically improved a moderate home record with a 5-0 thumping of Sheffield Wednesday last week and they certainly won’t be fazed by the visit of Villa, who may still be licking a few wounds following their Carling Cup Final defeat. It would be no surprise if the Championship side gained another bite at the cherry at 5/2.
