FA Cup betting tips: Eberechi Eze to score, Hull City to beat Chelsea and more FA Cup fourth round betting tips
As I’ve got older and wiser, I’ve learned that nobody embarrassed me more than I embarrassed myself in 2011 with Facebook statuses.
Speaking of embarrassing, what are Nottingham Forest playing at, sacking Sean Dyche after 114 days? 27 points with 12 games to go? After the mess he inherited? That is a decent job he has done.
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s FA Cup TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including Sunday’s big one between Liverpool and Brighton.
Hull City vs Chelsea
Chelsea are logical favourites here, but it’s the FA Cup and Hull City at 7/1 or bigger looks decent, doesn’t it? The Blues are bound to make changes, and the Tigers are right amongst the promotion race in the Championship.
Hull have won one of their last 35 games against Chelsea in all competitions and lost the last eight in a row. The bookies have clearly factored this in. However, it’s the FA Cup, and upsets do happen, so I’m all aboard the Hull train here at 15/2. Choo f***ing choo.
As an aside, a pitch invader in the form of a squirrel stopped play for eight minutes in Hull’s last home game against Bristol City. The nifty squirrel could not be caught by ground staff. And given that Chelsea are not the quickest defensively, Hull boss Sergej Jakirovic should surely try to get him in on a short-term loan deal to give them another dimension on the left flank?
Suggested bet: Hull City to win at 15/2 (Bet Victor / Coral)
READ MORE: Premier League news: Five key moments behind Leeds United’s thrilling comeback at Chelsea
Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
Two clubs with a rich FA Cup history - Aston Villa and Newcastle - meet on Saturday, February 14, in a game screened live by the Beeb.
Aston Villa have won the Cup seven times compared to Newcastle’s six victories, but neither side has lifted the famous old trophy since the 1950s.
Villa's 2-0 success on Tyneside towards the end of January underlined the progress made under boss Unai Emery. They really bossed that game, and so 6/5 about them winning this - given Newcastle’s current defensive issues - looks too tempting to pass up.
Villa really have been a breath of fresh air this season. No need to spend £200 million on new players twice a year. Just get an astute manager who slicks his hair back and smiles a lot, and a team who all work their socks off for each other. Bosh.
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win at 6/5 (bet365)
Liverpool vs Brighton
Big Arne Slot's focus will be on winning this game after beating Sunderland in midweek, but it may not be a cake walk. Brighton are an enigma wrapped in a riddle. I always feel they have got a goal in them, but they are quite open too. And they were sh*te against Crystal Palace on Sunday.
The Reds are obviously struggling in the Premier League this season, so Slot surely won't be rotating here with silverware a possibility and so I'm going to have a flamboyant tickle on 3-1 at 10s.
Suggested bet: Liverpool to win 3-1 at 10/1 (bet365/ Betfred / Hills)
MORE FOR YOU: Tottenham news: Roberto De Zerbi the favourite to replace Thomas Frank at Spurs after Marseille exit
Birmingham City vs Leeds United
High noon kick-off on Sunday, and Birmingham City have found some form under Chris Davies.
Leeds, meanwhile, are now enjoying themselves in the Premier League and showed they belong by coming back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Chelsea in midweek.
The Yorkshire giants are bound to rotate, so backing Leeds and both teams to score at 11/4 could be the way to go here.
Suggested bet: Leeds United to win & both teams to score at 11/4 (bet365/ Paddy Power / skybet)
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
Wigan Athletic are 40/1 here if you shop about. Alas, there is more chance of your alarm clock respecting your dreams than Wigan getting it done at the Emirates Stadium.
The Latics are third from bottom in the League One table at the time of writing with 31 points from 30 matches, and their recent form has been abysmal.
In contrast, Mikel Arteta’s side are top of the Premier League table - in the League Cup final - and purring in Europe. The Spaniard won’t mention it publicly, but the quadruple is on.
Arguably, Arsenal’s biggest strength is their squad depth, so even though they are likely to rotate heavily, they should p*ss this.
Eberechi Eze has not had much game time in recent weeks, so he could start, and if he does, 11/8 that he scores against the Latics looks alright (the same bet is an odds-on poke with some firms).
Suggested bet: Eze to score anytime at 11/8 (bet365)
READ NEXT: Premier League news: Five key talking points around the relegation battle as Thomas Frank sacked
