14-02-2008 FA Cup Betting - Man Utd & Arsenal Set For Another Classic

This weekend than main English soccer betting action is in the FA Cup, where the field has been whittled down to just sixteen teams. It is at this stage that pressure really starts to come into play as the remaining teams realise they are just three games from a Wembley FA Cup final. The Big Four are all still in the hat, but we will definitely loose Man Utd or Arsenal, as they face each other at Old Trafford, while Huddersfield and Bristol Rovers fly the flag for the lower divisions. Whatever the outcome of the fifth round fixtures, you will always get 60% better FA Cup betting odds at PinnacleSports.com.

When Arsenal and Man Utd where drawn together for the fifth round of 2008 FA Cup, pundits immediately anticipated a classic encounter. Statistics show that these two teams are the most successful in the competition’s 136 year history, between them winning the FA Cup 21 times and appearing in 35 finals. They have met each other 11 times, winning five times each, though their most recent was in the final of 2005, which was an anti-climactic goalless draw which the Gunners won on penalties. Most meetings have however been hugely memorable games, none more-so than the 1999 semi-final.

That game at Villa Park featured a superb Beckham free-kick, a Schmeichel penalty save from Bergkamp, and one of the greatest FA Cup goals ever, scored by Ryan Giggs. Giggs and Paul Scholes are the only survivors of that fixture likely to play on Saturday when the Red Devils will look to bounce back from the crushing disappointment of a Derby defeat to Man City last Sunday in front of a packed and expectant home crowd. United blamed that poor show on the effect of friendly internationals, so with a week to prepare for this game, there can be no excuses. Arsenal will be boosted by their win over Blackburn, which took them five points clear of United, while Kolo Toure and Emmanuel Eboue return from the African Cup of Nations. Both managers will however, have an eye on the midweek Champions League commitments which will impact their selections. With home advantage PinnacleSports.com price Man Utd favourites 1.813 (0/scratch & -0.5)* with Arsenal 2.130 (0/scratch & +0.5)* - a market priced to just 102%.

Liverpool & Chelsea Handed Comfortable Home Draws

Both Liverpool and Chelsea are expected to come through Fifth round FA Cup ties against lower division opposition this weekend. The Reds entertain Barnsley on Saturday, which on paper is a more testing fixture than Chelsea’s game at home to Division One Huddersfield. The Tykes are mid-table just one division below Liverpool, but there is a gulf of class between the sides. Barnsley have no pedigree for Cup upsets, have overcome only mediocre FA Cup opponents en route and are without a first-team goalkeeper. Their away league form is atrocious, failing to win in twelve straight fixtures on the road, drawing a blank in eight of those. Liverpool were given an early scare by minnows in the last round, so expect a more professional performance. PinnacleSports.com price Liverpool 1.952 (-2)* with Barnsley 1.971 (+2)*.

Chelsea’s home tie with Huddersfield is a repeat of their 2005 FA Cup encounter. At that time riding high under Jose Mourinho, Chelsea were expected to sweep the Terriers aside, but the game was 1-1 until up until the 82nd minute, when Eidur Gudjohnsen settled it. That result is symptomatic of Chelsea’s cup performances at home to lower class teams, where the anticipated cricket scores rarely materialise; nevertheless Chelsea usually come out on top. Avram Grant can welcome back Drogba, Kalou, Essien and Obi Mikel from Ghana, but in company with Rafa Benitez, will be thinking ahead to next week Champions League fixtures when making his team selections. PinnacleSports.com make Chelsea 2.10 (-2 & -2.5)* with Huddersfield 1.833 (+2 & +2.5)*.

*All odds subject to change

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