FA Cup final and Premier League betting tips: Cole Palmer to score in FA Cup final against Man City, Newcastle and West Ham to draw, and more FA Cup final and Gameweek 37 betting tips
No winners last weekend, but remember, folks, the bamboo bends because it knows the storm will pass.
Last Sunday, then. Has there ever been a bigger call involving VAR? Have there ever been such consequences riding on a single decision in the Premier League? To paraphrase Matt Le Tissier, it makes you think.
This season's fascinating Premier League title race rumbles on, and we’ve also got the small matter of the FA Cup final, so read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the Wembley showpiece between Chelsea and Manchester City on Saturday, May 16.
Aston Villa vs Liverpool
Big old game this in terms of Champions League qualification.
Villa have been wobbling and have won just one of their last 16 Premier League games against Liverpool. And you know which game that was? Only that bonkers 7-2 home win in October 2020.
Arne Slot’s men have lost 11 league games this season, and eight of those defeats have happened away from Anfield.
For this reason, I can’t have them as betting favourites here and feel Unai Emery's men are being slightly disrespected with current 2/1 quotes.
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win at 2/1 (Coral)
Chelsea vs Manchester City
The FA Cup final retains - despite the vandalism of modern excess - an old and stubborn magic.
Every kid in the park has scored a 90-minute winner in this fixture...usually after dribbling past four imaginary defenders and ignoring two calls that “your tea is ready.”
Chelsea at 7/2 here feels like a classic “heart says yes, wallet says absolutely f***ing not” type bet.
Manchester City should win. All logic points to a Cityzens success. But the FA Cup final has endured because it continues to permit the possibility of astonishment.
The old competition still whispers to underdogs and gamblers alike that history is never entirely obedient to logic.
Cole Palmer - a product of the Manchester City academy - could be the play here. Palmer, anytime, has the shape of a wager nourished by narrative as much as evidence.
The old Cup has always favoured football’s dramatists. This could be his stage.
Suggested bet: Cole Palmer to score anytime at 3/1 (Hills / Paddy Power / skybet)
READ MORE: Soccer analysis: Are Manchester United ready to compete for European glory?
Manchester United vs Nottingham Forest
We are hearing that Michael Carrick is expected to be recommended to Sir Jim Ratcliffe as the permanent boss of Manchester United.
Fair play if he gets the United gig full-time. It honestly wasn’t all that long ago that Old Trafford had become a place where hope went to file for bankruptcy.
The Red Devils should beat Forest, but 4/7 feels a bit short.
In terms of the player betting, Bruno Fernandes plays with the energy of a man who’s had three espressos and an argument before crossing the white line.
He’ll either create United’s best moments or start a small diplomatic incident in midfield. I'll go with the latter.
Suggested bet: Bruno Fernandes to be booked at 9/2 (betway)
Leeds United vs Brighton
I can’t put my finger on why, but this has the aroma of defensive chaos. Leeds have finished the season brilliantly and will be wanting to sign off their home campaign with a win.
The Seagulls, meanwhile (five wins in their last seven), still have European aspirations with two games left.
Danny Welbeck - who scored in the corresponding fixture down on the south coast earlier this season - is 5/1 to score first and I like them apples.
It’s eight years since Welbeck won the last of his 42 England caps, but if he shines at Elland Road, don’t be too shocked to see him on the plane to the World Cup this summer.
Suggested bet: Welbeck to score first at 5/1 (bet365)
Newcastle United vs West Ham
After Tottenham fluffed their lines and missed the chance to move four points clear of the Hammers, the relegation battle is firmly back in the balance.
The Opta supercomputer gives West Ham an 81.3% chance of relegation, while Spurs are at 18.7%
With all due respect to yer supercomputers, however, are they really all that?
I mean, after all, they are unable to feel ‘imposter syndrome’ or indeed find joy in procrastination.
And I doubt they’d have the cojones to fill up a large Morrisons salad box but scan it through as a medium.
The Toon have kept just one clean sheet in their last 14 Premier League matches, and West Ham are desperate.
This could turn out to be the worst call since Decca Records turned down signing The Beatles, but I am going to have a decent punt that it finishes 1-1 on Tyneside.
Suggested bet: 1-1 draw at 15/2 (bet365 / Betfred)
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