The Emirates FA Cup once again takes centre stage this weekend! The fourth round is highlighted by the clash between Manchester City and Arsenal, but there is enough opportunity for us to navigate our way through to an early February pay-day!
Friday 27 January
15/20 Manchester City | Draw 31/10 | Arsenal 34/10 (20:00)
Please follow link to see featured game: https://uk-blog-prod.hollywoodbets.net/football/preview-fa-cup-round-4-manchester-city-v-arsenal/
Saturday 28 January
7/1 Walsall | Draw 7/2 | Leicester 38/100 (12:30)
On paper this looks like a David versus Goliath scenario and the betting odds support this, however, Leicester come into this game with just one win in their last five fixtures, scoring just three goals. It’s the humble Walsall that are the team in form. 7/1 is too short for me, I much prefer the over 2.5 goals market at 8/11.
27/20 Blackburn | Draw 2/1 | Birmingham 9/4 (15:00)
This is tricky game. Neither team give too much confidence to the punter, but I suspect Blackburn might have too much going forward for Birmingham to deal with. 27/20 about the home win doesn’t need too much more convincing so get on!
12/25 Southampton | Draw 10/3 | Blackpool 5/1 (15:00)
Southampton are the sort of team who can turn it on when they need to. They went through a bit of a purple patch at the turn of the year but have struggled to consolidate that against midtable opposition. Blackpool struggle to keep clean sheets, conceding in every one of their last six fixtures, and against a side who can be so lethal at set pieces, you have to favour the home result.
12/25 Fulham | Draw 7/2 | Sunderland 5/1 (15:00)
These two teams are pretty evenly matched insofar as their performances have been this year. Sunderland are comfortable playing an expansive brand of football, whilst Fulham seem to prefer executing control over their opponents. It’s an intriguing one, but I think both teams scoring at 8/11 is the play.
7/1 Preston | Draw 4/1 | Tottenham 4/11 (18:00)
Playing away at these Championship stadiums can often present a potential banana skin experience for Premier League sides. Deepdale Stadium will be rocking on Saturday evening, and they’ll know they have a team in Spurs who are not the most confident.
It’s vital that Antonio Conte’s men get out the blocks with conviction. I think Spurs win, but it might be closer than many think. For that reason, the 1/3 price isn’t going to get me a round of applause and so a draw at half-time at 6/4 is my tip.
1/7 Manchester United | Draw 7/1 | Reading 16/1 (20:00)
The work that Erik ten Hag has done at United is simply extraordinary. Within one transfer window he has United not just in the shake-up for a European qualification but rather just off the pace of the Premier League champions elect. His mentality is clear in that he wants to compete on all fronts and it’s difficult to see how Reading challenge that. United have been a handful at Old Trafford and with the attacking prowess they possess, I think it is safe to take them on the -2 Handicap at 7/10.
Sunday 29 January
31/20 Brighton | Draw 13/5 | Liverpool 29/20 (13:30)
It is in good faith that we can say Liverpool have struggled this season. To be honest, I’m not sure that there is one particular reason for Jurgen Klopp’s side’s downfall this year. They lack conviction in their play and for the most part appear toothless upfront.
Brighton, on the other hand, have completely bought into an attacking approach to their game, and whilst I may sound like a stuck record, Roberto De Zerbi has been brilliant. They completely outplayed Liverpool the last time they met and I suspect a repeat will see the Reds crash out of this year’s competition.
Monday 30 January
16/5 Derby County | Draw 13/5 | West Ham 77/100 (19:45)
You have to go back to the 9th of November 2022 to find the last time Derby lost a competitive fixture. It’s a statistic that even in spite of the World Cup is fantastic. I know that West Ham are the Premier League side, but their inconsistency might give punters a chance to cash in.
It’s truly a clash of attack and defence and I think these two teams are closer than the bookmakers suggest. I wouldn’t add it to any serious multiples, but I’d certainly have a punt on the nose with the 16/5 on offer about the home win.
