16-17th Feb FA Cup

[slick]

FA Cup
16 Feb 12:30 Bristol Rovers v Southampton 3.00 3.20 2.40
16 Feb 15:00 Cardiff v Wolverhampton 2.25 3.25 3.20
16 Feb 15:00 Chelsea v Huddersfield 1.10 8.50 26.00
16 Feb 15:00 Coventry v West Brom 3.00 3.25 2.40
16 Feb 15:00 Liverpool v Barnsley 1.16 7.00 15.00
16 Feb 17:15 Man Utd v Arsenal 2.20 3.20 3.40
17 Feb 14:00 Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough 3.00 3.25 2.37
17 Feb 16:00 Preston v Portsmouth 4.33 3.25 1.90

Odds Bet365

[parksy]

what about arsenal folks......great price......they could pass utd to death......i think they could have a great chance......maybe draw no bet......i wonder what price that is.....i cant see arsenal loosing the match.......if utd play the way they did against city last sunday arsenal will fancy their chances big time......i might have a punt on this match come saturday night......im very tempted.....

[parksy]

just checked the prices......arsenal best price 13-5 to win the game.....draw no bet is 13-8......and plus 1 goal is a very tempting 8-11........i might have a dabble at these prices come saturday.......

[junior98]

17 Feb 16:00 Preston v Portsmouth 4.33 3.25 1.90

for me this game seems like a called for big VALUE , my opinion even pompey go with the second team still have diffrent class with home team .

[kompressaur]

Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Rovers are unbeaten in 10 games at home and have won the last three in front of their own fans so the League One club have genuine hope of causing an upset. It's been a rather precarious route through to round five but full credit to Rovers for winning shootouts against Leyton Orient and Fulham and Saints certainly won't want this one to go to penalties. However, they may be happy enough to take the game back to St Mary's as they've conceded a Championship worst 32 goals away from home. Three more were shipped as they went 3-0 down at Stoke in midweek although Saints did rally to eventually lose the game 3-2. Stern John led the fightback and his double made it four goals in his last three games. He's an anytime goalscorer possible but preference is for the hosts' Rickie Lambert. He's scored in two of the last three homes games and fired in five goals in this season's FA Cup campaign, including the winner at Barnet in the previous round. As Rovers' dead-ball specialist, he gets numerous chances and Southampton's leaky defence means he's a decent bet at 3/1 to find the net. Whether a Lambert goal will be good enough to send the hosts through is open to debate though.

Verdict: Bristol Rovers 2 Southampton 2 DT

Cardiff City v Wolves
Wolves aren't exactly the easiest side to predict as shown by their two recent games against Watford. In the FA Cup clash at Vicarage Road, Wolves stunned the hosts by winning 4-1 but a week later they returned to Watford and lost 3-0 in the Championship. Since then Wolves have lost 4-2 at home to Stoke and drawn 0-0 with Blackpool and to add to the confusion their 3-2 win at Cardiff earlier in the season saw them go 1-0 up, ship two goals to head into the break 2-1 down before turning the game around in the second half to win 3-2. Cardiff are another side who flummox punters. They appeared to be going in the right direction again after a nice run of results but now they've taken just one point from the last nine. All in all it's rather ironic that these two inconsistent sides have identical records in the Championship P32, W11, D11, L10. Perhaps that tells us that they're very evenly matched and we should lump on the draw but it's a brave punter who gets heavily involved in this one.

Verdict: Cardiff City 2 Wolves 2 DT

Chelsea v Huddersfield
Plenty of Huddersfield fans will make the trip to Chelsea with more hope than you'd expect for a side in the lower half of League One. That's due to their rather memorable recent history at Stamford Bridge. Back in 1999, they famously dumped a Chelsea side boasting John Terry out of the League Cup. And two seasons ago they were eight minutes away from earning a replay against a star-studded Blues XI after stunning the hosts with a 75th minute equaliser. Chelsea looked surprisingly lacklustre against Liverpool last weekend but they'll have their African Nations stars available again here and it's hard to see how the Terriers could ruffle the home side's feathers for a third time. Still, Huddersfield were on a four-match winning streak before losing 2-1 to Carlisle in midweek and their players will be fully aware of the club's past heroics at Stamford Bridge. If Chelsea are up for it, they should win comfortably but if they aren't, this could turn into a difficult afternoon. In respect to Huddersfield's past performances here, no bet is the call on all the various pro-Chelsea markets.

Verdict: Chelsea 2 Huddersfield 0 DT

Coventry v West Brom
It's easy to oppose Coventry following the sacking of Iain Dowie but there are problems with taking such a simplistic approach. For starters, they managed a creditable 0-0 draw against Cardiff in the first game under caretaker bosses John Harbin and Frankie Bunn. Secondly, they've scored some famous victories in Cup competitions this season - a 2-0 triumph at Old Trafford in the Carling Cup and a 4-1 thumping of Blackburn at Ewood Park in round three of this tournament. Thirdly, they've also scored a 4-2 win away to Saturday's opponents West Brom although it's worth remembering that the Baggies blasted them 4-0 at the Ricoh earlier in the season. Adding to the uncertainty is West Brom's wobbly form which has seen them take just four points out of the last 12 and drop out of the automatic promotion slots. As they've shared 10 goals in the two previous meetings this season there's a temptation to go for 2.5 goals or more although enthusiasm is tempered by the fact that both sides played out 0-0 draws in midweek. West Brom want promotion and Coventry want to avoid relegation so just how important is this fixture anyway? Leave it alone.

Verdict: Coventry 1 West Brom 2 DT

Liverpool v Barnsley
Rafa Benitez's refusal to give Peter Crouch more game time has seemed baffling at times this season with Dirk Kuyt and Andriy Voronin repeatedly firing blanks. But the big striker has started all three of Liverpool's games in the FA Cup and found the net in two of them. Add in Premier League goals at home to Aston Villa and Sunderland in recent weeks and Crouch has netted in his last three starts at Anfield and can continue that run against Barnsley on Saturday. Crouch headed in the winner against Manchester United at the same stage of Liverpool's run to FA Cup glory two seasons ago and comes up against a Tykes team which has the second worst away record in the Championship. Despite being made to look foolish against both Luton and Havant & Waterlooville in rounds three and four, the bottom line is that Liverpool scored five goals against each at Anfield. Crouch to find the net at 11/8 appeals far more than the hosts winning at 1/5, especially as plenty of bookies have the England striker at 4/6 to score at anytime.

Verdict: Liverpool 4 Barnsley 0 DT

Manchester United v Arsenal
The monster tie of the round for sure and having met 12 times previously in the FA Cup the tally between these two behemoths stands at five wins each and two draws. United looked decidedly lacklustre in the derby match with Manchester City last weekend, never finding their tempo as they slumped to a 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford. Smarting from that and with the prospect of one of their great rivals coming to town, Sir Alex Ferguson is guaranteed to demand a more convincing performance. A couple of the layers make the Red Devils a 6/5 chance for victory - an outcome boosted by the return to the line-up for Wayne Rooney after he served a one-match supspension. His presence could make a huge difference to a frontline that rarely looked like hauling themselves out of the hole they were in when going 2-0 down at half-time to Sven-Goran Eriksson's outfit. The Gunners were also below par on Monday night but kept up the pace at the top of the Premier League by eventually beating Blackburn 2-0. The success was a triumph for persistence as it was only confirmed by Emmanuel Adebayor with virtually the last kick of the game after Arsenal once again served up oodles of breathtaking football with little in the way of something tangible. That said, bar the woodwork, some wasteful shooting and an in-form Brad Friedel, they could have had five or six on the night and you get the feeling that they are going have opportunities to create once more. One player to very much catch the eye on Monday was Alexander Hleb, who looked a huge threat running with the ball and also thudded the foot of the post with Friedel beaten. His bursts into the box could be a key factor and he merits a bet at Hills' generous 10/1 to get on the scoresheet at some stage during proceedings.

Verdict: Manchester United 1 Arsenal 1 DJ

Preston v Portsmouth
Harry Redknapp's Pompey side have spent the week training in Marbella and they are odds-on to add to their impressive away record this season when they travel to the north west.

Redknapp can welcome back a host of his big names from the African Cup of Nations while striker David Nugent could be an interesting card to play on his return to Deepdale.

It is fair to say that he has hardly lived up to his £6million price tag but has managed to find the target in the cup competitions and his goal saw off Ipswich in the third round at Portman Road.

North End hover dangerously above the drop zone in the Championship and a 2-1 reverse at fellow strugglers Colchester in midweek will not have lightened the mood.

But they have still managed three wins from their last five, including a thumping 4-1 win over Derby in the last round of this competition - suggesting they are not going to be a pushover.

With plenty of quality at their disposal, it is hard to believe Pompey won't progress but it might take them two attempts to make the next round.

Verdict: Preston 1 Portsmouth 1

Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Blades boss Bryan Robson remains under pressure with the fans becoming increasingly impatient.

That said, his side are unbeaten in five having notched four draws since knocking off Manchester City 2-1 at Bramall Lane in the last round.

They get the chance to make it three Premier League scalps in row against a side that are unbeaten themselves in seven and have hauled themselves up to relative safety at the moment in the league.

Boss Gareth Southgate is trying to instill a more positive outlook in his side over the closing months of the season and getting derailed here would certainly halt the momentum.

New £12million signing Afonso Alves could get the chance to stretch his legs a bit more after a brief substitute appearance in the 1-0 win over Fulham.

He does remain some way off full match fitness though so there has to be a doubt over how ready he will be to contribute to a Boro frontline that has only scored more than once in two of their last 12 games - those coming against lower league opposition in the FA Cup.

The hosts have managed to keep two consecutive clean sheets which hints at a potentially dour affair.

Verdict: Sheffield United 0 Middlesbrough 0

Bettingzone

[kompressaur]

soccernet have changed their set up but still viewable here
ESPNsoccernet - Preview: Chelsea vs Huddersfield - English FA Cup

[thehandicapman]

I'm on Bristol Rovers to get something against Southampton in the early kick off live on the beeb.

read more at my blog:

http://thehandicapman.thedailypunt.com/

good luck all

THM

[Bigkegman]

Agree with Portsmouth. They've been beaten away at Chelsea, Arsenal, Liverpool, Man Utd which isn't a surpsies really and the only other game they've lost away from home was against Sunderland (which was a surprise). 8 wins 1 draw and 5 defeats on the road is good going.

I also like Boro for some reason but need to do some more studying.

As for the Man Utd v Arsenal game - i cant make my mind up and don't like betting on draws but i think home advantage and Rooney may just swing it for me. I think they mentioned it before last weeks Manchester derby but the 5 defeats man utd have had rooney was missing.

[Cinny]

arsenal now 3/1 with paddy power, thats sheer value, better side overall than utd in my opinion and in better form. I think they can win it

[diezel_21]

Arsenal have 11 players out, with 3 more doubtful....Adebayor is one of those who is doubtful, don't fancy them too much.

[Bigkegman]

Originally Posted by diezel_21

Arsenal have 11 players out, with 3 more doubtful....Adebayor is one of those who is doubtful, don't fancy them too much.

my pal (who is an Arsenal fan) has just phoned me to ask if i could put a bet on Man Utd for him. I said wtf and he said the same - Arsenal are going to be struggling and Even money is a decent bet on Man Utd.

[gorcha1]

This is chance for Man.Utd to demonstrate their power on home ground.I would't too much proselytize attention on last defeat against their neighbors,because pressure on home team was too big.
Now Fergys babys can finally show how they play when it's harder.It's important for them to win this match and to raise good atmosphere in higher level,they'll need it in the rest of the season to win the tittle,and of course to move on next round of FA CUP.
Price is tempting on home team,and I'll use it.

[Bigkegman]

i think i'll be on too gorcha1 and welcome btw

[slick]

I'm not so sure about this match either Diezel as United will still be smarting from last weeks defeat to City and will want to prove something here and lay down a marker for the weeks to come in the Premiership fight ahead.

Saying that on current form i do think the value lies with Arsenal as United seem to have lost their edge and do look a bit lightweight in midfield at the moment so long as Fergie keeps looking for goals and persists in using Giggs, Nani, Anderson and Ronaldo across the middle.

If he keeps to that line up then i can see Arsenal dominating them just as City did with Fabregas and Flamini ruling the roost.

I'll be very surprised if Fergie doesnt select Hargreaves as United need a bit of steel in there otherwise Scholes will be wasted again playing just infront of the back four which isnt his game , he needs to push up and link up with the front men.

Rooney being back will be a bonus for the reds but if he's not recieving the ball from midfield then he wont have much sway against a team like Arsenal.

As mentioned Arsenal have a few players out but there prospective lineup still looks a strong one to me, doubt very much Adebayor will be missing as he's a vital piece at the moment in Wegners team with him nearly scoring a goal a game and Arsenal will be working round the clock to get him fit or Wegner could be playing mind games with Fergie.

No bet for me as every time these two meet theres never much in it and like their last meeting I wouldent be surprised to see this end up a draw but it should prove to be a cracking game as neither side will want a replay with the Champs league coming up.

Also agree with whats been said about Portsmouth and i cannot see them losing here now the africans are back.

I've also like the look of Middlesbrough this last month or so as they have now put their shakey start behind them, they are beginning to look physically strong with Huth and Wheater pretty solid at the back and forming a good partnership.

Should also be ideal for new boy Alfonso Alves to show what he's made of against a pretty average side like Sheffield Utd, Watched them against Man City in the last round and was not overly impressed , they do a lot of running about and out muscled City but Boro are made of sterner stuff and should come up with the goods here as they do resemble a Championship side.

I don't know what effect manager Robson will have on Sheffield after departing yesterday but i doubt very much it will be a positive one as he's a players man and always liked where ever he goes.

Middlesbrough Win

[parksy]

arsenal now 3-1......i think i could very well have a bit of that......to me arsenal are a better all round team......also i can see arsenal def scoring in this match.....utds defence not the greatest.....city should have put 5 past them last sunday.....i might just play safe and take arsenal plus a goal and do a decent bet on that......ill be very surprised if arsenal dont at least get a draw......