Football Betting
FA Cup Betting
The FA Cup returns this weekend for a programme of fourth round fixtures that don’t feature either of the Cup’s most successful sides.
Leeds United’s reward for their 1-0 win at Manchester United is a trip to Tottenham. Simon Grayson’s side will have to be every bit as committed at White Hart Lane as they were at Old Trafford but I still fancy Spurs to win at 3/10.
Preston host Chelsea and new boss Darren Ferguson will hope to claim a Premier League scalp in just his second match in charge of the Lilywhites. Chelsea looked terrific against an admittedly hapless Sunderland side last time out and with Roman Abramovich apparently stressing the importance of the Cup to coach Carlo Ancelotti I can’t see an upset for the Cup favourites in this one. Chelsea are 2/7.
Stoke City’s form has not been so impressive this season although they remain a tough team to beat in front of their own fans. I tipped the Potters at 40/1 for FA Cup glory and if they are going to go all the way to Wembley they will have to do it the hard way. Arsenal are the visitors on Sunday and with Arsene Wenger’s side showing at Bolton that they can win a physical battle, this will be a tall order for Tony Pulis’ men. A draw at 5/2 looks the safe call.
After Manchester City’s comprehensive defeat to Everton on Saturday Roberto Mancini claimed he wasn’t ‘a magician’. His side looked very short of ideas at Goodison Park after their recent run of good form and they face a tricky Fourth Round tie at Championship strugglers Scunthorpe United.
I expect Nigel Adkins’ side to give City a good game on a difficult pitch and Mancini’s side will have to apply themselves with more commitment than they did last time out. Not a game for Robinho, you wouldn’t think…
Premier League Betting
There is one Premier League game this weekend and Manchester United are a skinny 1/6 to see off Hull City at Old Trafford.
Scottish Premier League
Just three points separate Motherwell and St Mirren in the Scottish Premier League and the two teams meet at Fir Park this Saturday for the early kick-off. Motherwell comfortably dispatched second-bottom Kilmarnock last weekend lifting them to fifth in the table and they’ll expect to win this one.
Falkirk put in a great display on Saturday to further dent Celtic’s title ambitions by coming away from Celtic Park with a well-earned point. Carl Finnigan’s 19th minute goal earned Eddie May’s side a draw and the Bairns will be looking to take the same form into their game with third place Dundee United on Sunday.
Celtic now sit nine points behind leaders Rangers and need to start winning on a regular basis if they are going to catch Walter Smith’s side. They face a tricky looking away fixture at St Johnstone on Sunday but should prevail at 2/5.
Scottish Premier League Betting
La Liga Betting
Barcelona’s second half demolition of Sevilla coupled with Real Madrid’s defeat at Athletic Bilbao means the Catalans now hold a five point advantage at the top of La Liga. Pep Guardiola’s side can extend their lead this weekend with a win at Valladolid at 2/7 whilst Madrid host Malaga twenty-four hours later.
Sevilla are down to sixth in the table and so will want to bounce back with a win over Almeria at 1/2 whilst Getafe host the improving Atletico Madrid on Sunday evening.
Serie A Betting
It is one of the biggest club matches in European football this Sunday night as Italian giants Inter play local rivals AC Milan at the San Siro.
Ronaldinho’s hat-trick against Siena last weekend lifted AC to within six points of their city rivals. Inter have been struggling for clean sheets of late and had to come back from 2-0 down to snatch a point at Bari last time out.
An AC win would really spice up the Serie A title race and Ronaldinho, Beckham and co are good value to notch up a vital victory at 9/5.
African Cup of Nations Betting
An intriguing African Cup of Nations reaches the quarter final stage this weekend. Hosts Angola play Ghana on Sunday before favourites Ivory Coast take on Algeria.
