January is proving to be a massive month for Liverpool. They’ve already completed a two-legged semi-final in the Carling Cup against Manchester City and now face the Blues’ third-round conquerors, arch-rivals Manchester United, in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

Liverpool have already put five past another Lancashire side, Oldham Athletic, in the third round of the competition but can probably expect a more searching test of their credentials when United arrive on Merseyside. The two teams played out a 1-1 at Anfield in the Premier League earlier this season but that match was overshadowed by a race row that led to an eight-match suspension for Liverpool’s Uruguayan striker Luis Suarez. The club and its players were also criticised for standing by their man and the Reds’ profile took a further blow when racial discrimination reared its ugly head again during the third-round tie with Oldham. Officials and supporters, therefore, will need to be on their best behaviour when United take to the pitch at Anfield for what is always one of the most keenly contested match-ups in English club football.

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United have won the FA Cup more times than anyone else and also have the most final appearances, 18 in total. But they haven’t won the competition since 2004 whereas Liverpool beat West Ham United on penalties in the final in 2006, their seventh successive in the tournament. United have lost on three of their last four visits to Anfield and it’s likely that the home side will have the tournament as a higher priority than their visitors this season, though the same argument was put forward before United’s visit to Manchester City in the previous round. United have also won four of five FA Cup clashes between the sides since the Second World War, including in the third round last season, so history is on the side of Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

This really does look too close to call as Liverpool rarely concede at home but don’t score many either, while United have been either brilliant or very ordinary against the top teams so far this season. The draw in 90 minutes at 11/5 looks the safest option, therefore, though there have only been two tied games between the sides in FA Cup history since United evolved from being called Newton Heath so a bet on Liverpool in the Draw No Bet at 8/11 market makes more sense. Steven Gerrard to score first and Liverpool to win 1-0 also looks decent value at 40/1.

Liverpool v Man United Betting

FA Cup Matches

Football

It’s FA Cup fourth round weekend and the main match features two of football’s oldest rivals as Liverpool welcome Manchester United to Anfield on Saturday lunchtime. The home side are unbeaten this season in the Premier League but have drawn seven of their eleven games. United seem capable of grinding out results and are 7/4 to make the fifth round. A draw at 11/5 might be the best call.

Liverpool v Man United

Spurs’ priority remains Champions League qualification and so there could be some value in Watford beating Harry Redknapp’s side on Friday evening at 6/1. Fulham are good value at 14/5 to win at struggling Everton while last season’s finalists Stoke should be too good for Derby at 6/5.

Newcastle came a cropper away from home in the FA Cup last season and there will be many tempted by the 3/1 available on Brighton in Saturday’s late kick-off. Sunderland are 4/6 to beat local rivals Middlesbrough on Sunday while Arsenal should beat Aston Villa at 4/7.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting

Golf

After a few weeks in Africa, the European Tour meets up with the cricketers this week as it arrives in Abu Dhabi for the HSBC Golf Championship.

Some of the world’s top golfers are back in action this weekend after their winter break and it promises to be a great event. Rory McIlroy is the 13/2 joint favourite having finished eleventh, fifth, third and second in the last four years. Martin Kaymer is also available at 13/2 having won this tournament in three of the last four years.

According to McIlroy, Tiger Woods is back to 100% fitness and is available at 8/1 while the English pair of Luke Donald and Lee Westwood can both be backed at 12/1.

Phil Mickelson is a three time winner of the Farmer’s Insurance Open and is the 14/1 joint favourite this weekend. Reigning champion Bubba Watson can be backed at 25/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After their heavy defeat in the opening Test, England will be looking to bounce back with a win over Pakistan in the Second Test. The match reaches its climax this weekend (assuming, of course, that England put up a better fight than they did ten days ago).
There’s also a Test match in Napier which finishes on Sunday. New Zealand are 1/4 to beat visitors Zimbabwe.

Cricket Betting

Tennis

The 100th Australian Open reaches its climax this weekend with some intriguing clashes in prospect.

The top four seeds have, as expected, reached the semi-finals in Melbourne although my each way tip for the title, Andy Murray, faces a difficult challenge in overcoming tournament favourite Novak Djokovic.

Roger Federer has been in imperious form and the 30 year old could well win his 17th Grand Slam title if he can beat old rival Rafael Nadal in the last four.

Before the tournament I tipped Maria Sharapova at 14/1 and the Russian is now into 10/3 for the title. Reigning champion Kim Clijsters is also available at 10/3 in her last Australian Open while Wimbledon champion and potential world number one Petra Kvitova is the 13/8 favourite.

Tennis Betting

Rugby Union

After last week’s Heineken Cup action, there is more Cup rugby to look forward to this weekend with group stage matches in the LV Cup.

The pick of the weekend’s matches sees the leaders of Pools 1 and 4 go head to head at the Recreation Ground as Bath take on Northampton. Pool 3 leaders Scarlets can consolidate their position with a win over Pool 2 leaders London Irish while Leicester face a tough match at Harlequins.

Gloucester need a win to keep up their excellent recent record in the competition and play the Cardiff Blues on Saturday.

Rugby Union Betting

Horse Racing

The Argento Chase at Cheltenham is a trial for the Cheltenham Gold Cup and is one of several good races at Saturday’s Festival Trials Day. Previous winners include Exotic Dancer and Neptune Collonges and Grand Crus is the 2/1 favourite from Captain Chris and Diamond Harry.

Sunday sees the BHP Irish Champion Hurdle from Leopardstown with Cheltenham Champion Hurdle winner Hurricane Fly the 4/7 favourite.

Elsewhere, there is racing on Saturday from Doncaster, Lingfield Park and Uttoxeter.

Racing Betting

Considering they haven’t been in the same division for several years, Arsenal and Leeds United have seen a fair bit of each other recently. The Gunners needed a last-minute Cesc Fabregas penalty to earn a replay against their Championship opponents at the same stage of the FA Cup a year ago after Robert Snodgrass had threatened to shoot the Yorkshire side to a famous win. Neither will be in action at the Emirates this time around, however. Fabregas is, of course, now plying his trade at Barcelona while Snodgrass is currently sidelined with injury. Arsenal went on to win last year’s replay at Elland Road, but this has always been a keenly-contested fixture and it’s unlikely this year’s renewal will be any different.

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Arsenal’s defensive uncertainties resurfaced at Fulham again last time and Arsene Wenger may decide to shake things up a little in the cup. He’ll definitely be without Johan Djourou, suspended after being sent off at Craven Cottage, but the game could see the return of prodigal son Thierry Henry if paperwork is completed in time and the Gunners have still only lost twice at the Emirates this season, once when fielding a scratch side against Manchester City in the Carling Cup, the other when down to 10 men against Liverpool. Even if Wenger decides to rest one or two of his squad, they will still have a team of exposing most Championship sides and that will be a worry to Leeds’ boss Simon Grayson.

Leeds beat 10-man Burnley 2-1 at Elland Road last Monday to halt a run of three straight defeats. Two late goals that day may well have saved Grayson’s job has his chairman has made it quite clear that nothing less than promotion this season will suffice. A place in the top two already looks out of reach but the play-offs are still in range, though United will certainly have to improve on recent form if they are to achieve that goal. The Yorkshire side may well decide to rest a few players of their own, therefore, and for that reason you simply have to fancy Arsenal to see off their lower league opponents at the first time of asking, though the draw at 11/4 with Leeds receiving a goal start on the handicap is interesting. A 2-1 correct score can be backed at 7/1.

Arsenal v Leeds Betting

FA Cup Betting

Back-to-back league defeats wouldn’t constitute a crisis at most ordinary clubs. But Manchester United are no ordinary club and the alarm bells are definitely ringing at Old Trafford after conceding six goals in recent games against Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United.

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Wednesday’s defeat at the Sports Direct Arena will have been of particular concern to Sir Alex Ferguson, who was able to recall Wayne Rooney and Rio Ferdinand on Tyneside yet saw his side again look vulnerable at the back and hesitant in attack. United had won their three previous games in the Premier League without conceding a goal so the transformation is puzzling, though can be partly explained by a run of injuries. A couple of the wounded could be fit for the coming weekend but it certainly doesn’t get any easier for the Red Devils as they renew acquaintances with arch-rivals City, who have again opened up a gap at the top of the Premier League following the busy holiday period.

Roberto Mancini’s side didn’t have the best Christmas themselves, having been held by West Brom and then sucker-punched at Sunderland on New Year’s Day. However, they got back to winning ways against Liverpool at the Etihad on Tuesday and still have a one hundred per cent home record, averaging three goals a game in front of their own fans. Those supporters are still celebrating City’s 6-1 win at Old Trafford in October and they’ll be expecting their team to confirm their superiority over their arch-rivals this weekend, though the Blues may have to cope without Yaya and Kolo Toure who are both due to fly out to the African Cup Of Nations shortly.

City, however, are hardly short of options though will have to make changes for the Manchester derby with Gareth Barry suspended. Former United midfielder Owen Hargreaves would have been a natural replacement but isn’t yet fit enough for first-team duty while Italian forward Mario Balotelli is also likely to be an absentee. Jolean Lescott could return after starting on the bench against Liverpool, however, and Adam Johnson may get a rare start. City’s magnificent home record and United’s recent woes suggest the 11/10 for a home win is the bet in this one. City to win by exactly two goals is 5/1, while United to score no first half goals is 8/15. If there is a red card at the Etihad, Paddy Power will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles on the match.

Man City v Man United Betting

FA Cup Matches

Football

While the FA Cup may have lost some of its magic over recent years, the third round weekend remains one of the most romantic sets of fixtures in the football calendar.

The ties kick off on Friday night as Liverpool welcome Oldham and the Latics are 20/1 to register a shock win at Anfield. There’s a Fylde Coast derby on Saturday as Fleetwood Town welcome Blackpool with the non-league team available at 7/2. Crawley are just 6/4 to beat Championship Bristol City while Cheltenham are 22/1 to beat Spurs at White Hart Lane.

Sunday’s big match sees Manchester City play Manchester United and Roberto Mancini’s side are excellent value at 6/5 to win. Chelsea are 1/6 to beat Portsmouth while Sheffield Wednesday can beat West Ham at 15/8. Sunderland have been in good form since Martin O’Neill took over and can beat Peterborough on Sunday at evens.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting



Golf

Just 25 days after Luke Donald claimed the 2011 Race to Dubai title, the long slog to be crowned Europe’s top golfer starts again this weekend.

There’s a strong local contingent at the Africa Open with reigning champion Louis Oosthuizen the 5/1 favourite to retain the title he won in 2011. Retief Goosen is an 11/1 chance with Thomas Aiken and George Coetzee available at 14/1.

The PGA Tour also gets underway this week with the Hyundai Tournament of Champions – an event restricted to PGA Tour winners from last year.

Nick Watney, Steve Stricker and Webb Simpson are the 8/1 favourites with Bubba Watson available at 16/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After an excellent series, the third Test between South Africa and Sri Lanka climaxes this weekend in Cape Town. The tourists secured an excellent victory in the second Test to level the series although are already up against it with the home side having racked up almost 350 runs on the first day.

Cricket Betting

Tennis

It only seems like a few days since the 2011 season ended at the ATP finals in London but most of the big names are back in action this week.

Roger Federer is the reigning Qatar Open champion and is looking to retain his title in Doha. Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils are also in action in the Middle East.

Andy Murray’s preparations for the Australian Open begin in Queensland where the Scotsman is the favourite to win the Brisbane International tournament on his debut at the event. Gilles Simon, Alexandr Dolgopolov and Tommy Haas are Murray’s closest challengers in the Australian city.

The WTA tour is also in Brisbane this week and Serena Williams is the 2/1 favourite to win 2012’s opening event. Kim Clijsters is available at 11/4 with home hopeful Samantha Stosur a 11/2 chance.

Tennis Betting

Rugby Union

There’s a mouth watering tie to open this weekend’s Aviva Premiership fixtures. League leaders Harlequins travel to Franklin’s Gardens to face Northampton on Friday night and it promises to be a close game. It could go either way but backing the away side with a 6 point head start at 10/11 looks to be the call.

Leicester are improving week by week and are now up to fourth in the table. The Tigers host Wasps on Saturday and should win at a canter. Saracens should beat Bath on Sunday while London Irish can beat Sale by more than 6 points at 10/11.

Leinster remain top of the RaboDirect Pro12 after the festive matches although the leaders face a tricky trip to Cardiff Blues this Saturday. Ospreys are on a good run and can win at local rivals the Dragons while Glasgow are up to third in the table and travel to the Scarlets.

Munster can bounce back from their defeat to Ulster last time out with a comfortable home win over Treviso.

Rugby Betting

Horse Racing

Weather permitting, racing this Saturday comes from Newcastle, Sandown Park, Lingfield Park and Wincanton.

Racing Betting

Football

The Premier League takes a break this weekend as eight nations fight for four berths at next season’s Euro 2012 Championships.
Ireland are 13/10 to win in Estonia on Friday evening, although the value there lies with a talented home side at 11/5.

Estonia v Ireland

Turkey can beat Croatia at 13/10 while Bosnia can nick a first leg win against Portugal at 21/10. Czech Republic host Montenegro in the final play-off tie.

Euro 2012 Playoffs

England welcome the world and European champions Spain to Wembley on Saturday for a friendly and, having named a strong squad, there will be plenty of money on the visitors at 5/6.

England v Spain

Wales can continue their recent run of good results with a win over Norway.

International Matches

The FA Cup reaches the first round stage this weekend with plenty of non-league sides looking to advance. Nantwich Town are 11/1 to win at the MK Dons while Maidenhead United are 10/3 to see off Aldershot.

AFC Wimbledon can cause a shock by beating Scunthorpe at 9/5 while Oxford United are good value at 9/2 to beat Sheffield United.

FA Cup Matches

Football Betting

Tennis

It’s the last regular season event of the ATP tour this week ahead of the Tour Finals later this month. There’s a very strong field in France for the BNP Paribas Masters and with three spots still up for grabs at the lucrative end of season event it promises to be a great week of tennis.

Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and last week’s Swiss Indoors champion Roger Federer head the betting but much of the focus will be on the seven players with a chance to make the Tour finals in London.

Tomas Berdych, Mardy Fish and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will take the three places if they all qualify for the quarter finals while complicated permutations could also see Janko Tipsarevic, Nicolas Almagro, Gael Monfils and Gilles Simon also qualify.

Tennis Betting

Golf

The European Tour is in Singapore this week for a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and Asian Tour. The Singapore Open takes place over two courses - the Serapong and Tanjong - at the Sentosa Golf Club and after his excellent third place showing in Shanghai last week, Graeme McDowell is the 16/1 favourite.

Phil Mickelson is good value at 18/1 as is Simon Dyson at 28/1 while Ernie Els has twice been a runner-up at Sentosa and is available at 33/1.
Tiger Woods continues to try and get his career back on track down under this weekend and is 10/1 second favourite for the Australian Open. In-form Adam Scott is the man to beat at 8/1 while Dustin Johnson is available at 16/1.

Golf Betting

Cricket

After Pakistan sealed their Test series win over Sri Lanka last weekend, the two teams meet on Friday in Dubai in the first of their one day international series.

The weekend also sees the conclusion of the first Test between South Africa and Australia in Cape Town.

Cricket Betting

Rugby League

England’s four tries were still not enough to beat the mighty Australians last weekend but the home side can end their Four Nations campaign with a win over the reigning World Champions this weekend. They play New Zealand and I like England’s chances at 5/6 with a four point start.

England v New Zealand

The other match sees Australia take on Wales. Wales failed to score a point as they lost to New Zealand last weekend and this could be a heavy defeat. Back Australia to win by over 50 points sat 10/11.

Wales v Australia

Rugby League Betting

Rugby Union

The 17th Heineken Cup kicks off this weekend with some intriguing fixtures to look forward to.

Reigning champions Leinster start their defence in Montpellier while last season’s beaten finalists Northampton face a tricky start as they travel to Munster – a team that have only lost two home matches in European competition.

I fancy Leicester Tigers to overcome the 14 point handicap to win at Aironi at 10/11 while 9/2 tournament favourites Toulouse should have no problem winning their home tie against Gloucester.

Arguably the match of the weekend is on Saturday as two of the most consistent teams over recent years meet. The Ospreys have reached the quarter final stage in three consecutive seasons and play host to Biarritz, the 2010 runners-up. Biarritz can be backed at 10/11 with a six point start.

Heineken Cup Matches and Previews

Rugby Betting

Horse Racing

It’s Paddy Power Gold Cup day at Cheltenham on Saturday – the day when the jumps racing season gets into top gear. Mon Parrain has been backed in to the 4/1 favourite with Wishfull Thinking and Noble Prince the next two in the betting.

The Greatwood Hurdle sees the up and coming stars of the hurdling world take centre stage on Sunday and there’s been plenty of money for Moon Dice in the run-up to the race.

Elsewhere there is racing on Saturday from Wetherby, Lingfield Park, Uttoxeter and Wolverhampton.

Racing Betting

It’s the battle of two City’s at Wembley this year with the FA Cup either going to a team that’s waited 42 years for a win or a team that has never won the famous trophy before. Big spending Manchester City take on surprise finalists Stoke City in the Wembley showpiece and, for the neutral, seeing an unfamiliar name on the trophy in 2011 will be a breath of fresh air.

Billionaires Manchester City the firm favourites

Despite their recent lack of silverware and the fact that it’s their first appearance in the FA Cup Final since a certain Ricky Villa ended their hopes in 1981, Manchester City are the firm 8/11 favourites to win their fifth FA Cup.

Whilst never seriously threatening to take the Premier League title this season, Roberto Mancini’s side have gradually improved and look set to claim their place in next season’s lucrative Champions League.

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Whilst a lot of money has been spent on City’s attack – Carlos Tevez, Mario Balotelli and Edin Dzeko cost over £100 million between them – it has been City’s defensive solidity that has been the key to their success this season. They have only conceded three goals in this season’s tournament, and none since Neal Bishop’s goal for Notts County threatened an upset in the fourth round. Clean sheets against Aston Villa, Reading and neighbours Manchester United have carried them to their first FA Cup final in thirty years and Stoke’s biggest problem will be penetrating an impressive rearguard.

Vincent Kompany will captain City if Carlos Tevez fails to recover from the injury he sustained against Liverpool and, alongside Joleon Lescott, forms one of the best central defensive partnerships in the league. Tevez’ injury is City’s main concern ahead of the final, with neither Mario Balotelli nor Edin Dzeko showing anything like the form that prompted Roberto Mancini to spend the best part of £60 million.

Stoke City happy to play the role of the underdog

Consecutive semi-final appearances in the early 1970s were Stoke City’s previous best FA Cup adventures and so we should not underestimate the achievement of Tony Pulis and his team this year. It is Stoke’s first ever FA Cup Final although no-one who saw their 5-0 demolition of Bolton Wanderers in the semi-final will dispute that the Potters deserve their day in the limelight.

Neither have Stoke had an easy run to the final. As well as an impressive Bolton side, they have had to overcome Wolves and West Ham along the way as well as beating Championship bound Brighton and promotion chasing Cardiff City. Stoke are a side that are also build on a sound defence and Pulis’ team have conceded just twice on the way to their first FA Cup final.

Long criticised for being a ‘long ball’ side, Stoke have shown this season that there is more to their game that Rory Delap’s long throws. They played some sparkling football in the semi-final, and will hope that talented winger Matthew Etherington makes a miraculous recovery from a hamstring injury to play in the final.

Verdict

Whilst Manchester City may be worthy favourites, this could be a closer match than many people expect. Stoke City are no pushovers as they showed in the semi-final and have players capable of causing City some defensive problems. Set pieces could be crucial and in Robert Huth they have a defender capable of poaching a vital goal.

A fit Carlos Tevez would certainly be a boost for City in their pursuit of the first piece of silverware under the new regime and the diminutive striker is vital to City’s chances. With or without him, I think Manchester City can be beaten and so the 4/1 available on Stoke City to win their first FA Cup looks too good to ignore.

It may also be considering the ‘total goals’ market. Neither side are a gung-ho attacking outfit and both are built primarily on defensive stability. The two played out a 1-1 draw at the Britannia Stadium earlier in the season and with this tie likely to be a cagey affair, the 10/3 on ‘one goal’ looks appealing, as does the 7/1 on a 0-0 draw.

Man City v Stoke

Football Betting

Football

Thanks to the Champions League final being held at Wembley, we have the bizarre scenario this weekend of the FA Cup Final kicking off after a round of Premier League games.

Having secured their Champions League spot for next season, Manchester City are the 5/6 favourites to win their first FA Cup since 1969 at Wembley on Saturday. However, Stoke City have proved in recent weeks that they are a force to be reckoned with and were excellent in their 3-1 win over Arsenal last weekend. I really like the 7/2 available on Tony Pulis’ side to lift their first FA Cup.

Man City v Stoke

Manchester United could have been crowned Premiership champions for a record 19th time by the time the Cup Final kicks off. United are 8/11 to get all three points at Ewood Park against struggling Blackburn Rovers, although remember that the draw at 13/5 will be enough.

Blackburn v Man United

There’s also a relegation six pointer on Sunday as Wigan take on West Ham.

The League One and League Two play-off semi-finals all take place this weekend with Huddersfield the 7/4 favourites to win promotion to the Championship and Shrewsbury 2/1 to join Chesterfield, Bury and Wycombe Wanderers in League One.

Football Betting

Tennis

Rafael Nadal’s 37 match unbeaten run on clay was finally ended last weekend when 4/1 chance Novak Djokovic beat the Spaniard in the Madrid Open final. Djokovic’s straight sets win was his 32nd consecutive win and the Serb has yet to be beaten in 2011.

The two are the clear favourites for the Internazionali BNL D’Italia in Rome this week with Djokovic closing in on John McEnroe’s record of 42 consecutive wins at the start of 1984.

Victoria Azarenka has been in good form of late and reached the final of last week’s WTA tour event in Madrid. Caroline Wozniacki is the favourite in Rome from local favourite Francesca Schiavone.

Tennis Betting

Golf

The Players’ Championship is often called the ‘fifth Major’ and the cream of the world’s golfing talent will be in Florida this weekend. Luke Donald is arguably the world’s form player at the moment and is available at 16/1 whilst Ben Crane has a superb record at TPC Sawgrass and can be backed at 33/1. Tiger Woods is the 14/1 favourite with Phil Mickelson a tempting 16/1.

The European Tour heads to Mallorca for the Iberdrola Open. In the week of the death of Seve Ballesteros, Spain’s greatest ever player, it promises to be an emotional occasion. Pablo Larrazabal was third at last week’s Open de Espana and is available at 16/1 with previous tournament winner Jose Maria Olazabal a 100/1 chance.

Golf Betting

Cricket

The Clydesdale Bank 40 continues this weekend with last year’s beaten finalists Somerset looking to continue their excellent 100% start to this campaign with a home win over Lancashire. Sussex play Derbyshire at Hove whilst Surrey have won three out of three and travel to face Scotland.

There’s also a Test match this weekend as the West Indies host Pakistan in the First Test in Guyana. Pakistan are 7/4 to triumph with the draw available at evens.

Cricket Betting

Rugby Union

It is play-off time in both the Magners League and the Aviva Premiership this weekend after the final semi-final berths were decided last week.

Even though they topped the regular season table, Leicester Tigers face an awkward tie on Saturday as they host Heineken Cup finalists Northampton Saints. The Tigers are the favourites to progress to the final with a win at Welford Road, but Jim Mallinder’s side are in good form right now and can be backed at 10/11 with a five point start.

The other semi-final sees Saracens the favourites to overcome Gloucester.

Munster ended up running away with the Magners League title and I fancy the Irish side to overcome the six point handicap to beat the Ospreys in their semi-final at 10/11. It’s an all Irish affair in the other semi-final as Heineken Cup favourites Leinster host Ulster on Friday night.

Rugby Union Betting

Rugby League

Just three points separate the top seven sides in the Superleague making it one of the most open competitions in recent memory.
Warrington lead the four teams on 18 points and should maintain their top spot by beating Castleford on Friday. The match of the weekend is on Saturday as second place Huddersfield welcome third place St Helens whilst last season’s champions Wigan should see off Harlequins.

Catalans Dragons are the form team in the Superleague right now although they face a tricky tie away at Leeds.

Rugby League Betting

Horse Racing

The highlight of Saturday’s racing comes at Newbury with the one mile Lockinge Stakes (3.45pm). The first group 1 event for older horses of the British season, Canford Cliffs is the clear 4/5 favourite from Dick Turpin, Twice Over and Cityscape.

Elsewhere there is racing from Doncaster, Bangor, Uttoxeter, Newmarket and Thirsk.

Racing Betting

The balance of power between the two Manchester sides has firmly been in United’s favour for a couple of decades now, although that might all be about to change. Big spending City look set to challenge United’s dominance over the next few years and can make a great statement of intent by beating their fierce rivals in the FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

In order to reach the final, City will have to beat United for the first time in the FA Cup since 1955 and for the first time on neutral territory since 1926. Unsurprisingly, United have had the better of their rivals in recent times, although City have prevailed four times over the last five years. A 2-1 win in the first leg of last season’s League Cup semi-final provides the best case for a City win here whilst Sven Goran Eriksson’s side did the premier league double over United in the 2007/8 season.

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The two clubs looked evenly matched in their most recent meeting and it took a wondergoal from Wayne Rooney to separate the two sides over a pulsating 90 minutes. Of course Rooney will be absent from the United side for this match after his controversial ban for swearing into the camera after completing his recent hat-trick against West Ham. Javier Hernandez has forced his way into the reckoning for the big matches and should start up front, possibly alongside Dimitar Berbatov.

Sir Alex Ferguson should also have Brazilian midfielder Anderson back for this tie which will give United more midfield options. Antonio Valencia will continue his recovery from a long term injury and Michael Owen, Rafael and John O’Shea are also expected to be available.

Before their 5-0 thrashing of Sunderland, City had been efficient rather than exciting over recent months, squeezing out narrow victories though a defensive approach. Big money signings Edin Dzeko and Mario Balotelli have yet to make a real impact – Dzeko has yet to score a league goal whilst Balotelli has llived up to his reputation as a trouble maker. Ex United striker Carlos Tevez remains Roberto Mancini’s preferred forward, ably supported by David Silva, arguably City’s player of the season.

Whilst United are the worth favourites for this tie (available at 5/4) it could be a very close contest. City are tough to beat these days and would dearly love to reach the FA Cup final for the first time in 30 years. It should be a tight affair, but at 21/20 City could prevent United from completing another domestic Double with a narrow win at Wembley.

Man City v Man United

Football Betting

Quarter-Finals

Arsenal (3/1) spurned a fantastic opportunity a couple of weeks ago to end the club’s six-year trophy drought and this season’s FA Cup now looks their best opportunity to keep alive their silverware ambitions. In normal circumstances, a trip to Old Trafford to face Manchester United (5/6) is a mountain too high for Arsene Wenger’s side but with his opposite number keen to freshen up his team in the FA Cup with new talent, Wenger has been gifted a perfect opportunity to play his full-strength side and easily account for the current Premier League leaders.

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Okay, that’s in an ideal world. In reality Wenger will once again roll out the deadwood of his squad, whom, this season, have struggled to cope with Leeds United, Huddersfield, Ipswich and Leyton Orient! United manager Alex Ferguson will do similar, but not to the extent of his counterpart, so back Manchester United to win the Half-Time/Full-Time market at 2/1.

Man United v Arsenal

Despite playing with a relatively full-strength side throughout the competition, Manchester City (3/10) have stuttered at times against weaker opposition. Their quarter-final showdown with Championship side Reading (8/1) could be another banana skin, considering the Royals made light work of their Premier League opponents Everton in the last round. Complacency is rife in football and no doubt thoughts of a trip to Wembley for the semi-finals is already in the minds of City players so for that reason alone I’m punting Reading at 8/1 to add another famous FA Cup upset to the history books.

Man City v Reading

Following their Carling Cup success over Arsenal, Birmingham (5/4) go into their quarter-final clash with Bolton (19/10) bidding for cup silverware double. The Blues are goal-shy at St. Andrews but their resolute defending will be enough to hold Bolton at bay. This match-up looks set to be a bore draw so take advantage of the 7/1 on offer for a 0-0 correct score. The remaining quarter-final taking place in the FA Cup sees Avram Grant’s West Ham (11/4) travel to the Britannia Stadium to take on Stoke City (10/11). The Hammers have been impressive throughout their cup run this season and with their league form also showing signs of improvement, Stoke look to have a real test on their hands. I’m weighing in heavily on an away victory!

FA Cup Match Betting