Football Betting
FA Cup
The FA Cup reaches the quarter final stage this weekend with Chelsea the firm 11/10 favourites to retain the trophy they won at Wembley in May.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have not been on the best form in recent weeks, and host a Stoke side who were unbeaten in 2010 before Arsenal’s late show at the Britannia Stadium on Saturday. Tony Pulis’ team were my 40/1 outside tip for the Cup before the third round, and even though Chelsea might not be firing on all cylinders, their home record is terrific and I can’t see the Potters winning this one.
Four clubs in the history of the FA Cup have reached the Final of the competition in the same season that they were relegated from the top flight of English football. Portsmouth have a winnable home tie over Birmingham and a great chance of joining Leicester City, Manchester City, Brighton and Hove Albion and Middlesbrough on that unfortunate list.
After their superb win over reigning Europa League champions Shakhtar Donetsk last week, Fulham have a great chance to progress in another Cup as they host Tottenham at Craven Cottage on Saturday. Pundits are running out of superlatives to describe the job Roy Hodgson has done as manager of Fulham and he can add yet another feather to his cap by masterminding a win over Spurs at 19/10.
Reading are the one remaining Championship side in the tournament and after dispatching Liverpool and West Bromwich Albion, they host the Carling Cup runners-up Aston Villa on Sunday. Whilst Reading have hit some form in recent weeks, Villa will be determined to secure a second Wembley appearance and can bounce back from their disappointment at the hands of Manchester United to win this one at 5/6.
Premier League
Wolves attempt to retain their Premier League status remains in the balance after their 1-0 defeat to Bolton Wanderers last weekend and it gets no easier for Mick McCarthy’s men as they face Manchester United on Saturday. United will have the option of rotating their squad ahead of their vital Champions League tie against AC Milan and can win at 3/10.
In Sunday’s live match, Everton should have more than enough to see off Hull City at 2/5.
Championship
Whilst Nottingham Forest’s away form may have deserted them over recent weeks, their home form remains solid and Billy Davies’ side can break a club record by recording their tenth consecutive home league win with a triumph over Swansea City this weekend. It looks increasingly like the lottery of the play-offs for Forest, but they can win this one at evens.
Newcastle United stretched their lead at the top of the Championship to six points with their hard-earned win over Watford on Saturday. The Magpies can cement their position at the top of the table by beating Barnsley at St James’ Park this weekend.
Cardiff City have had problems this week after a reported falling out between chairman Peter Ridsdale and manager Dave Jones. Visitors Middlesbrough can continue their quiet climb towards the play-off places with a win on Saturday at 12/5.
Scottish Premier League
Maurice Edu’s injury time winner in the Old Firm derby on Sunday seems to have all but ended Celtic’s title hopes. Rangers have a ten point lead and a game in hand and so are in pole position to retain the SPL title after their 1-0 win at Ibrox.
Celtic travel to Falkirk this weekend and with the title seemingly out of their grasp, they next need to ensure a second place finish in order to secure their place in the Champions League qualifying round. With Dundee United just six points behind them (and with a winnable home match against Hearts live on Sunday), Tony Mowbray’s side will need to bounce back with a confidence boosting win over the Bairns this weekend.
Scottish Premier League Betting
La Liga
The La Liga title race looks ever increasingly like being decided by the result of the Gran Clasico encounter between Real Madrid and Barcelona at the Bernabeu on Sunday 11th April as two points still separate the top two.
Real Madrid face Sevilla at the Bernabeu in an attractive looking match on Saturday, whilst Barcelona have a tricky away tie at Almeria.
Serie A
There’s a good looking match in Serie A on Saturday as second place AC Milan travel to third place AS Roma. A win for Milan would all but end Roma’s title hopes, whereas Claudio Ranieri’s side will go level on points with Milan with a win. Bearing in mind Leonardo will have one eye on his Champions League trip to Manchester United, Roma can win this at 6/5.
