The English Premier League teams swing into FA Cup action this weekend as the 3rd Round commences. We take a closer look at three of the more competitive fixtures on the card, suggesting a bet in each game.
The FA Cup remains very much a prize Trophy to hold at the end of the season, however, Premier League teams can be vulnerable in the early stages as they balance hectic schedules and rotate team selections.
Manchester City are the 5.50 favourites to win the Cup with Liverpool 6.00 and EPL leaders, Arsenal 7.00. You can get 9.00 Chelsea , 11.00 Newcastle and 17.00 and better the balance.
Click here for the latest FA Cup Outright Betting
SATURDAY
EVERTON vs SUNDERLAND
Everton are currently sitting 12th in the English Premier League with 1 win in their last 5 matches. They are a team with a proud FA Cup tradition, and with their domestic league season not going as well as they might have hoped, they will certainly have their eyes on a deep FA Cup run.
Sunderland are currently 10th in the English Premier League, but they are in free fall having taken only 4 points from the last 15 they have played for and that came from four successive draws before a 3-0 defeat away to Brentford last time out. Sunderland have been tight at the back, but have been struggling to score goals and prior to that Brentford defeat their previous five games had all delivered profits for under 2.5 goal backers.
Head-to-Head
These sides most recent meeting was a 1-1 draw at Sunderland in the League back in November.
Betting – Click here to bet
Everton 2.20
Draw 3.25
Sunderland 3.40
Verdict
Neither of these sides are in great form, but Sunderland are really battling at the moment and I think that Everton can book a spot in the 4th Round.
BET: Everton win at 2.20
TOTTENHAM vs ASTON VILLA
Tottenham are battling in the League this season and they currently sit 14th on the log with just 1 victory in their last 5 starts. Their most recent League action was an away trip to Bournemouth where they conceded an injury time winner to lose a thrilling game, 3-2.
Aston Villa are currently 3rd in the English Premier League, level on points with 2nd place Manchester City and 6 points behind leaders, Arsenal. They strung together an 11 run streak of victories across all competitions, but in their last 3 games they faulted going down 4-1 to Arsenal away, beating Nottingham 3-1 at home and then drawing 0-0 to Crystal Palace in their last start.
Head-to-Head
Aston Villa beat Tottenham 2-1 away from home in the League earlier this season, their third successive victory over the London team.
Betting – Click here to bet
Tottenham 2.50
Draw 3.50
Aston Villa 2.60
Verdict
The betting suggests an even game, but I think Tottenham may be the hungrier of the teams here given their faltering League campaign whilst Aston Villa will have their eyes set on securing European football next season. Based on what I perceive to be motivation factors heading into this game I am looking at a home win.
BET: Tottenham Hotspur win at 2.50
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SUNDAY
MANCHESTER UNITED vs BRIGHTON
Manchester United are 7th in the English Premier League and undefeated in their last 4 games, although the last 3 have all been drawn. They are coming off a 2-2 away draw to Burnley where they came from behind to take the lead only to concede the equaliser.
Brighton are sitting midtable in 11th position on 29 points, 3 points behind Manchester United. They have only won 1 of their last 5 games with 3 draws and 1 loss, but their last performance was a creditable 1-1 draw away at Manchester City.
Head-to-Head
Manchester United beat Brighton 4-2 at home when they met earlier in the season, but last season Brighton did the double over United, winning 3-1 away and 2-1 at home.
Betting – Click here to bet
Manchester United 1.91
Draw 3.85
Brighton 3.65
Verdict
Goals tend to flow when these sides meet and I am going to have a punt that we get 4 goals or more in this one.
BET: Over 3.5 goals at 2.45
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change.
