ARSENAL are short favourites to beat Aston Villa in today's FA Cup Final but can they be trusted at the odds?
Arsene Wenger's men should win but look at how they made heavy weather of dumping Hull last season when they needed extra time after trailing 2-0 early doors.
Most recent FA Cup Finals have been settled by one goal so a best price of 4-7 at Betfred on Arsenal to win in 90 minutes is of little value. To lift the trophy they are 3-10 at bet365 and Ladbrokes.
Both teams to score is a much bigger price at 1-1 with Ladbrokes and Coral and I'd rather be on that with Tim Sherwood's men offering a threat up top.
Christian Benteke netted a in the semi-final win against Liverpool and is 10-3 at bet365 to score.
The one fear for Villa is their defence. They were woeful in losing 6-1 at Southampton recently and the Gunners will punish sloppy mistakes.
There could be a start for Theo Walcott after his hat-trick against West Brom last Sunday and his pace could hurry the likes of Ron Vlaar into mistakes.
If he plays consider Walcott at 15-2 with Paddy Power to score first while top scorer Alexis Sanchez is 11-2 with bet365.
Arsenal did the double over Villa in the league beating Paul Lambert’s side 3-0 away last September and 5-0 at the Emirates in February.
The Gunners have won seven of their last 10 encounters with the Birmingham club so that's why they're so short.
Villa have improved since Sherwood replaced Lambert but still finished just one point above the drop zone after ending the campaign with a 1-0 home defeat to relegated Burnley.
Arsenal finished in style by romping 4-0 up against WBA at half-time and if they repeat that form there should only one winner.
Recommended Bets
Both to score
(1-1, Ladbrokes, Coral)
Walcott to score first
(15-2, Paddy Power)
Benteke to score
(10-3, bet365)
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Villa to score 8-11.
Benteke anytime 2-1
Villa Btts and win 11-1 (BETFRED) just 8s at hills (loose change bet only)
Total match goals 2 or 3 10-11 (nap)
Yes am on that Villa win bet but think you will find Hills are offering 12/1.Villa are now 11/2 to win in 90. I done both bets in the semi v Liverpool and after watching ARSENAL stutter in a few of their games recenty Swans and the Reading semi value in these bets.
It was Delph and Benteke in the semi Mr f . I hate having to relive it though lol. Best of luck today
Buzzing for the match! talking with my old grandad on skype last night (he finds it amazing he can see his image on the screen bless him) about the 1957 team which ive been reminded of every month since i knew who villa was the likes of peter mcparland, johnny dixon etc.The busby babes as we know them was beaten that day 58 years ago apparently and as my grandad described last night one of the reason we won was the fitness of the players “We could have played for another hour and they still would not have beat us” He’s your typical old fashioned football fan who everyone from that era look back with lots of nostalgia. He was a winger himself back in the day and stills seems himself playing on the wing at villa park! I just wish we had some wingers from his era in todays game, similar even to what we are up against today gotta feed benteki with service and others need to help the big fella out instead of relying on hime.Its gonna be a tough game I hope we dont concede earlier as it could be a cricket score and that’s my worry with the defence which has been terrible for years now.
I backed villa @ 5/1 some weeks ago and last time i looked it was 11/2 but i would rather see my old grandad’s reaction similar to the semi win after the match tbh
UP THE VILLA!
Concrete Ron anytime for value .
Delph anytime
And both teams to score evens
This is tough game to call..i like either team to win in extra time at 7s with skybet..also a small wager on Villains in extra-time at 30s..ICT to win by odd goal in Scottish Cup Final.
Why not Benteke & Walcott both to score anytime? One in will cover both singles? But if Walcott on bench has to be Sanchez.
I know its a cup final but the recent form points to an Arsenal win and with an 8-0 aggregate over the last 2 meetings between the two teams I can see this being over as early as the half time whistle.
There is no doubt Aston Villa will be up for it and they have pace and strength up front so I wouldn’t put it past Aston Villa to pop in one goal with Benteke the most likely for the Villains. Their defence however is a bit shady and I can see them shipping at least a couple against Arsenal.
Aaron Ramsey is a good big match player and I fancy him to be making his typical runs into the box and i’m favoring him to open the scoring.
Here is what i’m on:
5pts Arsenal & over 2.5 goals (6/5)
1pt Correct score 3-1 – (11/1)
1pt Aaron Ramsey first goal scorer (11/2)
Good luck if you follow!
Walcott
1st goal scorer
Arsenal ht/ft 13/10
Arsenal to score in both halves 13/10
Sanchez MOM 6/1
From KO to the the 1st gl in FA Cup you can get £10 max 2/1 for Messi anytime tonight @Ladbrokes
on arsenal halftime/fulltime 13/10
Ramsey anytime 23/10 GL
Nice one mr f. I think harpreet would actually orgasm if he had any tip at those odds!!
Baddabing baddaboom!hope you took some of that duncan!
Great stuff Rookie ,Had a wee bit on Benteke to score at half time 5/1 Villa need to go for it now
Be surprised if Sanchez doesn’t get MoM 3/3 Rookie
Imagine my shock when they announced it duncan! I thought the same as you.. and that goal! Wow!
Oh well profit! As a wise man would say, onwards!
I demand a recount on the MOM!