EMIRATES FA CUP 2018 -- FIFTH ROUND WEEKEND

This weekend sees the 5th round of this years FA Cup Competition sponsored by Emirates. Games will take place during the course of Friday 16th - Monday 19th February so we'll have a quick glance across all eight matches and give our opinion of the likely victors and maybe a few bets along the way;

Friday 16th February 2018

Leicester City VS Sheffield United [kick off 19:45]

Our FA Cup weekend will begin on Friday night with Leicester taking on Sheffield United at the King Power stadium. Hopefully a full strength side will be on show and that would make Leicester favourites though they did see off their 4th round opponents with a relatively second string side 5-1. Sheffield United will rely on the goal scoring exploits of Billy Sharp who converted the penalty to see off Preston.

If Jamie Vardy starts will back him to open the scoring @3/1, if he doesn't will still have a wager on a Penalty being awarded and scored currently 4/1.

Result - Leicester 1-0. Vardy opened the scoring for the Foxes so first bet collected in this weekends FA Cup.

Chelsea VS Hull City [kick off 20:00]

There's a second game on Friday night and this is live on BT Sport. Chelsea should be a warm order for this although all the media have been focused on manager Antonio Conte and his position at Stamford Bridge rather than their upcoming games. Hull reached the final in 2014 when they lost to Arsenal but have declined in recent years and will need to be on top form to have any chance here hoping that Chelsea have eyes on fixtures against Barcelona, Manchester United and City to distract them.

Chelsea to win and both teams to score - @2/1.
David Luiz to be booked (if starts) approx - 11/2 N/R.

Result - Chelsea win 4-0 bit annoying that Hull had a penalty saved else we would have collected on this one too.

Saturday 17th February 2018

Sheffield Wednesday  VS  Swansea City  [kick off 12:30]

A few ago this might have been seen as a possible shock, however Swansea have found a new lease of life and on a great run of wins, their 8-1 demolition of Notts County in the replay should not be underestimated. While Premier League survival will still be high on their priorities I still think they will want to continue their recent good form and will back them in my acca this afternoon. Of course there is the sub plot of Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal returning to the club that dismissed him in December. Wednesday will need a passionate home support to help them along and are struggling in the Championship so on form it's hard to see them winning. 

Back the Red Card to be shown @11/2 and Penalty awarded and scored which is also about 9/2.

Result - Stalemate, 0-0 draw did neither team a favour, a game of few chances and no Penalty or Sending Off to help us.

West Bromwich Albion  VS Southampton  [15:00]

Neither team have looked in great shape in the league lately and although West Brom managed to dispatch Liverpool 3-2 in the last round but they lack a level of consistency. The same is true of Southampton, who performed well last season reaching the League Cup Final and a respectable position in the League itself only to lose their manager and their best players again.

Back either side to win 1-0 (@7/1) I don't expect many goals in this.

Result - A win for the Saints 1-2, which after the shenanigans that WBA players got up to is probably just.

Brighton and Hove Albion VS Coventry City  [15:00]

Premier side Brighton take on the lowest side left in the competition and it still could be a close thing here. Coventry seem to have been inspired in the Cup this year, will certainly be drawing on the spirit of the late Cyrile Regis who was part of their 1987 cup winning side. I actually fancy Coventry to spring an upset here and reach round six. 

Coventry to win @7/1.

Result -  Brighton took control of this early and ran out 3-1 winners so no upset here.

Huddersfield Town VS Manchester United  [17:30]

Although Mourinho's United side lost last weekend you would expect Jose to have his stars out for this tie given that the League is surely lost and he likes to win a trophy. Huddersfield however come in on the back of a resounding win against Bournemouth although their focus will surely be on maintaining their Premier League survival so I would expect a dull but comfortable win for the Reds.

United to win 2-0 / 3-0 .

Result - Manchester won easily without too much fuss 2-0 so we collected here which was nice.

Sunday 18th February 2018

Rochdale   VS Tottenham Hotspur  16:00

This really should be a stroll for Spurs even allowing for the reported terrible pitch conditions the class should be overwhelming for the Premier League side. 

While lower league clubs have battled to hold out in previous rounds it is usually Harry Kane who provides the killer touch and will be strong in the first goalscorer markets. I also back the Penalty Awarded (@3/1) market as Spurs are a team that likes to go over easy in the box.

Result - Cracking 2-2 draw means Rochdale can enjoy a replay at Wembley, we also picked up the Penalty bet after Alli dived again and Kane scored.

Monday 19th February 2018

Wigan Athletic   VS   Manchester City 19:45

The final 5th round tie is on Monday and will be live on BBC TV and the 6th round draw will also have been made prior to kick off. This is of course a rematch of the 2013 FA Cup final which Wigan won 1-0 thanks to a Ben Watson winner in stoppage time.

Each club has gone in a different direction in the few years that followed, Wigan are now in League One (Div 3) although look set for promotion this year, and City are running away with the Premier League. 

Man City to win and both to score -- @17/10.
Raheem Sterling to be shown a card -- @11/2.

Result - .

Personally I'll be enjoying AFC Wimbledon taking on Bristol Rovers this Saturday and expecting us to find some form after another disappointing loss to fellow strugglers Northampton Town losing 3-1 at home, followed by a 4-2 away defeat to Plymouth. We need to start making another step towards league one safety now as we're back in the drop zone. The mighty Dons won 1-0 in the last minute so that was enough to take us up a few places, the fact that the horrible smelly mk franchise outfit lost again made my weekend.

Have a wonderful weekend whatever you are up to.