THE big guns enter the FA Cup this weekend and punters will be scanning the fixture list looking to cash in on a shock.
Everton look like the Premier League side in biggest danger of coming a cropper appears as storm clouds hover over Rafa Benitez again.
The Spaniard always faced a struggle to win over the Goodison faithful after his spell in charge of Liverpool.
But the punters are close to open mutiny as Benitez takes his side to Hull in the Cup on the back of just one win in 12 games.
McBookie still make the Toffees 17/20 favourites for a win in 90 minutes with Hull at 14/5.
But I’m steering clear of backing a winner and will look at other markets instead.
The Tigers drew a blank last time out at Blackpool but had scored for seven games in a row before that.
Everton have also conceded in their last seven so I can see there being a few goals here, with over 2.5 strikes priced 49/50 at Unibet.
Hull stopper Di’Shon Bernard has picked up seven yellows this term and that makes him a good pick to be carded at 9/2 with Paddy Power.
Two other Premiership teams face second-tier sides on the road as Southampton visit Swansea and Crystal Palace head to Millwall.
These are also potential shocks, although Championship gaffers sometimes prioritise promotion pushes and relegation battles ahead of a cup run. Millwall sit mid-table and are 6/4 with SportNation to knock Palace out, with all ties settled on the day this season.
Over 2.5 goals has come up in the last five Palace games and four of Millwall’s last five. That bet pays 11/10 at Bet365 today which looks great value based on those stats.
Swansea look less likely to spring a shock against Saints as they have lost three in a row in the league.
The goals have also been flowing in games involving the Swans, with 11 scored across their last three.
Southampton have conceded in their last eight so BTTS looks the shout here at 4/5 with McBookie. That’s not great value so over 2.5 goals might be a wiser choice at 42/41 (SBK).
There’s a David v Goliath clash as National League Chesterfield face European champions Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The minnows are as big as 50/1 with William Hill for a win inside 90 minutes with Chelsea’s best price just 1/18 at Coral.
To find any value on a Blues win you have to go into the handicaps where Chelsea -3.5 pays 21/20 at William Hill.
The goalscorer markets are better and I fancy Callum Hudson-Odoi for anytime scorer (29/20, Unibet).
Elsewhere, I’m going for a cup treble on Newcastle, Brighton and Birmingham to qualify. That pays 162/100 at McBookie.
Super Singles
- Hull’s Di’Shon Bernard to be carded (9/2, Paddy Power)
- Over 2.5 goals at Millwall (11/10, Bet365)
- Callum Hudson-Odoi to score (29/20, Unibet)
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.
