Tag: Brighton

FA Cup Fourth Round Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

The FA Cup Fourth Round draw did not exactly provide us with a feast of big matches and it is difficult to see where, if any, the major shocks will be.

Chelsea and Man City both have relatively easy home matches against Bradford City and Middlesbrough respectively. The Blues have the second leg of their Capital One Cup semi-final with Liverpool on Tuesday night and then Man City in the Premiership on Sunday. Fortunately for Mourinho, he has a fully-fit squad and afford the luxury of some squad rotation.

Bradford are priced at 28-1 but a more likely outcome is a repeat of Chelsea’s 3-0 third round victory over Watford. There has been speculation that the Blues were willing to part with Andre Schurrle but he is in the line-up on Saturday and can score in a comfortable home win.

City had an unusual prep for the home tie with Middlesbrough by playing in Dubai. They are likely to field a strong enough team to see off Boro with Sergio Aguero looking to recover his goal scoring form. Predicting the line-up is almost as difficult as forecasting the result but I’d expect Aguero to score in another home win for the champions.

There are two all-Premiership games with Southampton at home to Crystal Palace and Tottenham facing Leicester. Spurs were poor against Sheffield United on Wednesday and grateful to escape with a 1-0 advantage to take to the second leg. Leicester have been battling away but you have to wonder about the merits of a Cup run whilst they struggle to avoid relegation.

Crystal Palace seem to have been revitalised by the arrival of Alan Pardew and their clash with Southampton is a tricky one. The Saints needed a replay to get past Ipswich in round 3 and they could face a similar scenario here. The late kick-off sees Liverpool host Bolton, another side buoyed by a new coach in the shape of Neil Lennon. The former Celtic boss has only lost one in twelve since joining the Trotters but Liverpool may just edge this one.

Sunday should see Arsenal and West Ham go through safely, at Brighton and Bristol City respectively. Theo Walcott and Mesut Ozil could make their return for the Gunners as Arsene Wenger’s squad gradually approaches full fitness. Arsenal could be worth a bet on the handicap in this one while the Hammers deserve to go further in the competition after their epic battle with Everton.

Andre Schurrle scores and Chelsea win @5-4 Paddy Power

Sergio Aguero scores and Man City win @8-11 Ladbrokes

Southampton v Crystal Palace DRAW @3-1 Bet365

Tottenham to win by one goal @11-4 Sky Bet

Liverpool to win by one goal @3-1 Ladbrokes

West Ham to beat Bristol City @21-20 BetVictor

Arsenal (-1.0 handicap) to win @7-5 Paddy Power

Brighton Friday Preview

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

Racing in the UK this week is a bit low on quality in the wake of Glorious Goodwood. The Shergar Cup is the main attraction this weekend and, try as I might, I can never get inspired by this competition. I shall preview it on Friday with a view to finding a couple of winners but I don’t think any serious punters take the rivalry between the jockeys too seriously.

There are some competitive little races at Brighton on the Sussex coast on Friday. Being a Sussex man, I have some affection for the rolling South Downs and Brighton’s undulating track usually provides good entertainment.

One horse that I will not be putting my pennies on tomorrow is Muhawalah who looks decidedly mulish. The daughter of Nayef has been called a few names in the past but she got her head in front at Carlisle last time out, albeit with various forms of headgear. Course form is always worth a pound or two and I respect the chances of bottom weight Sandy Cove but I am just leaning towards the hat-trick seeking Serena Grae. Marcus Tregoning knows how to get the best out of his horses and this filly could still have a few pounds in hand.

The following sprint is littered with course and distance winners. Brighton regulars will have a soft spot for Noverre To Go after numerous fast finishing efforts here but he rarely finishes in front at the line. Ginzan ran a mighty race to get close to a well-handicapped horse at Windsor last time out and is feared most but I am siding with Panther Patrol.

Eve Johnson Houghton’s stable are in decent form and this one seems to have all the credentials necessary to win here. Usually fast out of the gate and an easy traveller, the weights suggest a quick hat-trick is on the cards.

My final selection is Welsh Inlet in the seven furlong handicap. I had fancied the Mark Tompkins-trained Blue Bounty. He has run in some competitive races and this looked as good an opportunity as he has had. He has been withdrawn this morning and Welsh Inlet could be the one to benefit.

This one has won and placed here before and always seems to stay on up the Brighton hill. The race does not look as though it will take a great deal of winning and 3-1 is a fair price.

Serena Grae 3.40 Brighton at 9-2 BetVictor

Panther Patrol 4.10 Brighton at 9-4 Stan James

Welsh Inlet 4.40 Brighton at 3-1 William Hill