Tag: Fulham

Sheffield United chasing more Cup glory

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

There are some intriguing FA Cup replays on Tuesday night in a competition blown wide open by the shock departure of Chelsea and Man City.

The obvious beneficiaries are holders Arsenal and the resurgent Man United. The Red Devils are in action at home to Cambridge United who put up a plucky performance in a 0-0 draw to earn a replay. Bookmakers are giving the League two minnows little chance of joining Middlesbrough and Bradford as “giant-killers”. You can get 40-1 about the visitors and any value in this tie may be in going for United to rack up some goals.

They put three past Leicester in the first half at the weekend but did not add to their tally. Team selection is always difficult to anticipate for Cup ties but rumour has it that Wayne Rooney will lead the attack with Falcao and Van Persie on the bench. Whatever line-up Van Gaal opts for, United should be able to see off their rivals handsomely.

The best value bet of the day is arguably Sheffield United in their home replay against Preston. Nigel Clough’s side put up a brave fight in the semi-finals of the Capital One Cup last week before losing 3-2 on aggregate to Tottenham. The Blades gave their supporters plenty to cheer about that night and have already accounted for Southampton and West Ham this season.

They also enjoyed a fine FA Cup run last season, beating Aston Villa and Fulham before losing to Hull in a pulsating semi-final. The prize on offer here is a possible home tie with Man United in the next round and that is an enticing prospect. Preston held their own in the reverse fixture but their league form is on the slide. The Blades look great value at around 6-4 to win in 90 minutes and could also be worth a flutter on the handicap market.

The final replay on Tuesday sees Gus Poyet’s Sunderland travel to Fulham. These two sides fought out a dull 0-0 draw at the Stadium of Light, a result that was greeted with a chorus of boos from the home supporters. Poyet is focussed on keeping Sunderland in the Premiership and a 2-0 win over Burnley on Saturday pulled them four points clear of the drop zone. There is still plenty of work to do but the fact that Jermain Defoe was on the score-sheet will have been a boost. His signing could prove pivotal to Sunderland’s survival prospects.

Fulham welcome back former Chelsea and Tottenham midfielder Scott Parker who was absent for the first match but their in-form striker Ross McCormack is the danger man for Sunderland. He scored a hat-trick in the recent 3-2 win over Nottingham Forest and also scored in the 2-1 defeat at Blackburn last weekend. This looks a really tough one to call so I am siding with a draw at 90 minutes.

Sheffield United to beat Preston @29-20 BetVictor

Sheffield United (-1.0 handicap) @4-1 Paddy Power

Man United to win by 3 or more goals @4-5 Sky Bet

Fulham v Sunderland DRAW at 90 minutes @2-1 Bet365

Hammers can end Everton FA Cup hopes

Posted on by Online Betting Pro

There are some interesting FA Cup third round replays taking place this week, none more so than the clash between West Ham and Everton at Upton Park on Tuesday night.

The Hammers were robbed off a place in the fourth round by an injury-time equaliser from Romelu Lukaku at Goodison Park.  Under-fire Everton coach Roberto Martinez must have been a relieved man to see that go in and the Toffees picked up enough encouragement to hold champions Man City on Saturday.

I have been most impressed by West Ham this season and they could be doing even better with a bit more luck in recent matches. They led Swansea thanks to a superb goal from Andy Carroll at the weekend but a Mark Noble own-goal left them sharing the points. They also drew with West Brom and should have got at least a point from a pulsating London derby against Arsenal.

West Ham boss Sam Allardyce could pick his strongest possible side at Upton Park on Tuesday night and that will really put the pressure on a weakened Everton line-up. Only Diafra Sakho and Cheikhou Kouyate are missing from Allardyce’s regular squad and the return to form of Carroll gives them an obvious attacking threat. Stewart Downing continues to earn rave reviews in midfield and the Hammers are deservedly favourites to go through.

Martinez endured a miserable festive season with four straight defeats against Southampton, Stoke, Newcastle and Hull. The 1-1 draw against West Ham and a league point against the City have temporarily stopped the rot but he continues to struggle with an injury-hit squad. Tim Howard, Sylvain Distin and Leon Osman are among those still absent as Everton look for a first win since mid-December.  Lukaku has been working tirelessly in recent matches and he will be the most likely goal threat for the visitors.

The pick of the remaining replays on Tuesday is the clash between Wolves and Fulham at Molineux. The home team will be without top scorer Bakary Sako but should still have too much power for a team ten places below them in the Championship. The winners are rewarded with a trip to The Stadium of Light to face Premiership Sunderland in the fourth round. The winner of the West Ham/Everton game visit either Doncaster or Bristol City.

West Ham to beat Everton @7-5 William Hill

Wolves to beat Fulham @19-20 Coral