Monday 2nd March
Portsmouth vs Arsenal [BT Sport 19:45]
Our opening game this week sees League One Portsmouth take on Premier League Arsenal, both are winners of this competition of course, and much may depend on what sort of side the Gunners put out here as the have generally favoured playing many of their youngsters in the cup games. Their defeat in the Europa League last week however might mean they take a stronger focus on the Cup as top four is not going to happen so this is their best way back into Europe for next season. Pompey on the other hand have promotion on their minds sitting in the play off places in League One but not too far off the automatic places. With in form striker John Marquis banging in the goals there's always the chance of an upset here.
Selected Bets
- Over 1.5 Goals Half Time @6/4.
- John Marquis[*] to score anytime @11/4.
[*] would need to start, but appears on the bench
Result - 0 - 2.
Tuesday 3rd March
Chelsea vs Liverpool [BBC 19:45]All Premier League clash here and Live on BBC (no surprise) Chelsea are very hit and miss in both league and Europe and even if Champions elect Liverpool play a 'weakened' side as they have done up to now this should be a cracker. Liverpool are priced up at 2/1 which suggests that it will be another young line up here, despite their defeat by Watford on Saturday night (3-0) still think they have Champions League progress on their mind but will update on Tuesday if the team news changes.
Bets
- Chelsea to lead at half time @7/4. WON
Result - 2 - 0.
Reading vs Sheffield United [20:00]
The Royals host the surprise package of the Premier League in Sheffield United, this should be simple for the Blades based on this season's form although the cup can be a great leveller. Reading won 2-0 against Barnsley in the Championship on Saturday while Sheffield United didn't have a game so arrive here fresh, if they take this seriously enough (and with Chris Wilder in charge they should) a comfortable win should be secured and I'll back them to do so by about 2-3 goals.
Bets
- Total match goals over 3.5 @3/1.
- Sheffield United to win and both teams to score @3/1.
Result - 1 - 2.
West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United [20:00]
Top of the Championship WBA face a side at the lower end of the Premier League so there's a big chance of an 'upset' here. It's Newcastle's lack of firepower up front that will be their Achilles heel sadly, a city so desperate in need of a trophy right now I fear they will concentrate on avoiding the drop, they played Burnley on the weekend which ended in a dour 0-0 draw while West Brom hosted Wigan and surprisingly lost 1-0.Bets
- West Brom to win @6/4
- First half over 1.5 goals @2/1.
Result - 2 - 3.
Wednesday 4th March
Leicester City vs Birmingham City [19:45]Despite their 1-0 defeat by Norwich on Friday this should be a straightforward win for Leicester here at home to Birmingham. Even without Jamie Vardy they ought to outclass their Championship opposition this evening. Birmingham were away at QPR on Saturday in a battle for the mid table trophy! That match ended in an entertaining 2-2 draw, Scott Hogan on loan from Aston Villa might be their key player having scored both goals on Saturday but I expect a comfortable win for Leicester.
Bets
- Leicester -2 Handicap to win @8/5.
Result - 1 - 0.
Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City [BBC 19:45]
Soon to be dethroned champions Manchester City travel to Sheffield Wednesday after their match in the League Cup Final on Sunday against Aston Villa which they won 2-1. The current FA Cup holders should make light work of their opponents here really, the league might be gone but Pep Guardiola does like to keep winning trophies and with the League Cup now secured and a good win last week in the Champions League (beating Real Madrid) too he'll look to this game as another step towards glory. Sheffield Wednesday faced Derby County on the weekend losing 1-3 and are about eight points off the play offs at the moment so it is likely to be another season of mid table mediocrity. Up front they have Steven Fletcher and Fernando Forestieri and could be some threat from set pieces, if they can get forward enough to win some with possession likely to be limited.
Bets
- Total Man City goals 4+ @2/1. 😞[very poor effort]
Result - 0 - 1.
Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City [19:45]
Tottenham host bottom of the Premier League Norwich in a competition that José Mourinho would see as a good target for some success while still chasing a top four spot. Norwich had a good morale boosting 1-0 win on Friday night against Leicester and certainly should not be underestimated. Tottenham still missing the injured Harry Kane and Son Heung-min will need the likes of Dele Ali and Dutch striker Steven Bergwijn to fill the gaps up front.
Bets
- Penalty awarded @9/4.
- Red Card in the march @4/1.
Result - 1 - 1. [Gone to extra time - Norwich Won on Pens]
Thursday 5th March
Derby County vs Manchester United [BT Sport 19:45]
The final fixture in this round will see Wayne Rooney return to face his former side, though there is much more at stake here but this will be the main story in the pre-match build up. While United are still chasing a European place in the league they might look to rest a few for this, while I expect Derby to be really fired up for it as their position in mid table means their season is almost over not likely to go up or down. Rooney played a pivotal role in Derby's 1-0 win against Premier League side Crystal Palace in the third round and was again involved in most of the fourth round tie's key moments against Northampton sure to play a big part again and might even score but I think a penalty is a strong option and there should be plenty of goals too.
Bets
- Penalty awarded and scored @4/1.
- Wayne Rooney to score anytime @4/1
Result - 0 - 3.
The FA Cup 6th round draw will also be made after the Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City game on Wednesday night and will appear here below as soon as it's available. Do hope you enjoy your week of FA Cup football action, not long to go till we are at Cheltenham and all the races will be covered here next week plus couple of meetings over the weekend too.
6th Round Draw
Sheffield United vs Arsenal
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
Norwich City vs Manchester United
Leicester City vs Chelsea
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