FA Cup and Premier League betting tips: Arsenal to beat Newcastle, Rayan Cherki to score against Southampton, and more Gameweek 34 tips
How are we, people? My main takeaway from this week is that it doesn’t matter what time of year it is. If you tell a British person you have a cold, they’ll tell you in the very next breath, “There’s one going around.”
To business, then. Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League and FA Cup TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including both FA Cup semis and Arsenal’s huge Premier League clash at home to Newcastle on Saturday, April 25.
Sunderland vs Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest are on a decent run and desperate to put some clear daylight between themselves and the bottom three now.
Sunderland’s home form is decent, but anyone considering lumping on the Black Cats needs to factor in the fact they’ve never won a Premier League game on a Friday! Strange but true.
Morgan Gibbs-White is bang in form and having bagged 12 in 33 Premier League games already this term, there is much to like about 3/1 quotes that he scores on Wearside.
Suggested bet: Gibbs-White to score anytime at 3/1 (bet365)
Fulham vs Aston Villa
The Camel Coats can’t split these two, who are both available at 13/8 for the win if you shop around.
This despite the fact that Aston Villa have won their last six Premier League games against Fulham, a run that stretches back to October 2022.
The Cottagers are struggling for goals, failing to score in four of their last five Premier League matches.
You are bored. Backing Villa to win 1-0 is the antidote.
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win 1-0 at 10/1 (bet365)
Arsenal vs Newcastle United
Arsenal’s title hopes were dealt a heavy blow with that defeat on Sunday, April 19, and Manchester City are now as short as 8/15 with some firms to win the league.
Plenty of matches left, though, and additional drama feels assured. I'm actually convinced Arsenal's run-in from here is easier.
Indeed, Arsenal could be getting the Geordies at just the right time here, given that Newcastle have lost eight of their last 11 Premier League games (W3), with only Tottenham (nine) losing more games in the competition in 2026 than the Magpies' eight defeats.
The Toon are also winless in their last 13 Premier League away games against the Gunners.
Señor Arteta’s men will be desperate for three points - they have seen a nine-point lead evaporate in the past 11 days - and can get it done at HQ.
Suggested bet: Arsenal to win & Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 (sky bet)
Manchester City vs Southampton
Saints take on Man City in the semi-final of the Emirates FA Cup on Saturday in a 17:15pm kick-off. Predictably, the Cityzens are short odds and fancied to win with minimum fuss.
To be fair, Southampton are bang in form and unbeaten in their past seven away league games, winning five of them (D2). Big pitch. Big occasion. This could be tasty.
Heart says: Southampton miracle (They are 12/1 to spring a shock). Head says: City win and win comfy.
Rayan Cherki is a baller. He’s got more sauce than a Sunday roast. The dazzling Frenchman is 7/1 to score first, and that screams value.
Suggested bet: Rayan Cherki to score first at 7/1 (Betfred / skybet)
Chelsea vs Leeds United
LinkedIn Liam's Chelsea tenure is over. Appointed by Chelsea on January 6, Rosenior was in charge at Stamford Bridge for precisely 106 days.
It's easy to look wise after the event, but his appointment never looked a good fit, despite him saying “I hope in time they’ll say it’s the best decision this club’s ever made,” not long after he got the gig.
Tuesday night's damaging 3-0 defeat by Brighton was the final straw.
It was the west London club's fifth successive Premier League defeat without scoring - their worst run for 114 years - and it’s mad how bad they have looked in recent weeks, given the players they have on the books.
What’s also mad is what little accountability the players and sporting directors take during these tough periods.
The Blues are 5/4 to win this, and that is laughably short. Leeds will be bang up for Sunday, and anything bigger than 2/1 should be snapped up.
Suggested bet: Leeds United to win at 21/10 (bet365 / Coral / Ladbrokes / Paddy Power)
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