Silverware is in sight for four FA Cup semi-finalists this weekend, but who will come out on top at Wembley? KevMac takes a look.
Chelsea v Manchester City
IT’S FA Cup semi-final weekend and tonight’s clash between Manchester City and Chelsea could be a dress rehearsal for the Champions League Final.
Both sides have reached the last four in Europe and the draw has kept them apart so they could do battle for the biggest prize in club football.
City are on track for an unprecedented Quadruple but this FA Cup tie is a big hurdle in their path.
The Blues have lost just twice since Thomas Tuchel took over so I’m surprised to see them as big as 10/3 with McBookie to win in 90 minutes at Wembley.
That’s definitely worth a speculative punt in a one-off game, with City a best 7/8 at SBK to win without extra time or penalties.
Tuchel has based his success on a rock-solid defence so I’d be surprised if this was a thriller.
Betting against BTTS appeals at 20/21 with BetVictor while under 2.5 goals is a best 11/13 (SBK).
When these teams last faced off in a cup it went all the way to penalties with Blues keeper Kepa refusing to be subbed for a shootout they went on to lose.
It wouldn’t be a massive surprise if this one needed extra time or penalties too.
A stalemate at 90 minutes pays 12/5 with McBookie while Skybet are offering 7/1 on either team winning
by penalties.
Both managers might make changes after their Euro exertions in midweek and I’m banking on Gabriel Jesus coming back into the City starting XI.
The Brazilian, who scored a Wembley double in the 2019 final, is 21/10 at Unibet for anytime scorer.
Leicester City v Southampton
The other semi between Leicester and Southampton is also a tough one to call.
Saints have been in poor league form and crashed to a 3-0 defeat at struggling West Brom last time out.
But they haven’t put a foot wrong in the Cup, knocking out Shrewsbury, Arsenal, Wolves and Bournemouth without conceding a goal.
Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men are a tempting 7/4 with McBookie to reach the final with the Foxes just 4/9.
We should see some goals in tomorrow’s clash and over 2.5 strikes pays 19/20 with SportNation.
Danny Ings is always a threat for Saints and Paddy Power are offering 10/11 on him having one or more right-foot shots on target.
Newcastle v West Ham
There’s plenty of Premier League action this weekend too and today’s clash between Newcastle and West Ham is huge at both ends of the table.
The Magpies can move nine clear of Fulham in the drop zone with a win but have to defeat a Hammers side chasing a dream Champions League slot.
David Moyes’ men are 21/20 with McBookie to win and that’s tempting while Jesse Lingard is 8/5 to net.
Arsenal v Fulham
Fulham head to Arsenal tomorrow and it’s not a game that screams goals. Under 2.5 strikes is priced 5/6 at SportNation and might be worth a punt.
Super Singles
- Danny Ings one or more right-foot shots on target (10/11, Paddy Power)
- West Ham to win at Newcastle 21/20 (McBookie)
No Thrills Double
- Under 2.5 goals in City v Chelsea and Arsenal v Fulham (202/100, McBookie)
I'm a sports journalist, football tipster and author from Dundee, who is now working in Glasgow. I've covered games at every level, from Junior football to internationals, and still love football even though it has clearly sold its soul. I've been in football tipping since 2018 with the MFT site.
In December 2020 we sadly 
