IT'S a big night for Swansea who are trying to teach their first major cup final – and set up a meeting with Bradford.
The Swans will be aware they are massive favourites to win the trophy and it will take a collapse of Devon Loch proportions if they are to slip up.
Michael Laudrup's start at home 2-0 ahead after a superb victory at Stamford Bridge and it's an uphill task for the Blue.
However, Rafael Benitez will be cheered by the fact his men won 5-1 at Southampton in the FA Cup and have looked better on their travels.
So it's not all over yet but Bradford showed the value of a two-goal last night and I won't be backing against the Welsh side.
Swansea are 4-11 (various) to make it to Wembley and 14-5 at Skybet to draw on the night and that could be the call. Chelsea's two previous trips to the Liberty Stadium have finished 1-1 and a third pays 7-1 at BetVictor and William Hill.
There is no doubt Chelsea will have to attack but the tactics could leave them susceptible to a counter attack and the Swans showed against Stoke last week just how effective they can be.
Chelsea are 10-11 at Blue Square to win on the night and 5-2 at Ladbrokes to qualify but Swansea have lost by more than two goals just once this season and I don't expect them to cave in.
Top scorer Michu is 7-1 at William Hill to hit the opener while Frank Lampard and Juan Mata are both 8-1 at Ladbrokes. Don't consider Fernando Torres or Demba Ba until you see which one starts.
Meanwhile, Arsenal are bidding to bounce back from their defeat at Chelsea by picking up the points at home to West Ham.
The Gunners are hot favourites at 9-20 with BetVictor but may have to be patient against a side who have twice lost just 1-0 at Old Trafford this season.
West Ham haven’t even scored on their last four visits to the Emirates and have failed to find the net in five consecutive away matches in league and cup. In fact their total on the road in the league is five – the lowest in the UK.
However, those four trips to north London resulted in a 2-0 at worst and all four games went under 2.5 goals. Unders at 2.5 at 4-6 (various) wouldn't be a surprise and a 1-0 Arsenal win pays 8-1 at BetVictor.
The Gunners to win to nil is 6-4 at Coral and no to both teams to score pays 1-1 at BetVictor and Paddy Power.
Fifteen-goal Theo Walcott, who fired the consolation against Chelsea, is as good a bet as anyone in the first scorer market and is 4-1 at bet365 and BetVictor.
Recommendations
Draw
(14-5, Skybet)
Michu to score
(12-5, Skybet, Stan James)
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.
I think it all depends on who gets the first goal here Mr F. If Chelski score early doors that 5/2 will look a great price. As long as Torres doesn’t start I think they will give it a right go
Muzza, I thought that last night but after a decent first half Villa were rubbish. It’s difficult for Swansea as regards to how much they attack but they’re a good side and deserve a bit of respect. If they keep the ball as well as usual they could frustrate Chelsea who obviously need at least two goals to force extra time. I wouldn’t write Chelsea off but it’s a tall order.
I’d go with Swansea to qualify, but not a game i will be putting money on, just like the villa game last night…. It’s all about momentum on the night, if Chelsea get going they could do it, if it’s going to be Chelsea to progress and you fancy this, then if you can get chelsea to win in extra time then take it. I feel thats chelsea best chance. I don’t think they will qualify within the 90 minutes, therefore they aren’t going to win 3-0. Swansea will grab a goal, and the most likely score i would be on is 3-1 chelsea that would take it to extra time, thats if i fancied Chelsea to progress to the final, and i simply don’t !
I’m not going to touch Arsenal v west ham either, so looking at something for me tonight, it’s going to be :
Porto -1, or -2
Flamengo to beat Madureira
Nothing else tonight i fancy at all, don’t want to be taking any of these cups games.
Milesey.
I’ll be on michu, and Demba BA if he starts!
I like Swansea at home and went there to watch them frustrate the hell out of united earlier in the season, but I also remember the Everton and Norwich home games although they have improved vastly since then. I just feel Chelsea are so good in attack when they are in the zone that they could do this. Rafa loves this cup and he will want to win it. Should be a great game. I said Bradford would do it last night and I am going to stick my neck out and say Chelsea to qualify tonight although my heart would love to see Bradford v Swansea in the final!
BTTS 4 Cup Games
Swansea v Chelsea
Roma v Inter
Valencia v Real Madrid
Fenerbache v Bursaspor
Treble Arsenal
Chelsea
btts Valencia/Real Madrid
michu anytime scorer for me and swansea win
Hoping for another anytime scorer treble tonight, Walcott, Mata & Ronaldo, any thoughts?
I was looking at the same 3 Rob but Ronaldo is only 1/3 so might just double Mata 6/4 and Walcott Evs
Chelsea to win and lampard to score anytime plus Chelsea to win the cup 3/1 , although Swansea playin well fancy Chelsea to maybe do what they done to stoke and win comfortably!!
Been 1 or 2 wee laddies on here recently blowing about how much they win with the hundred or so they throw on a single horse at less tan evens and ten talk about us lesser beings and our pathetic attempts at trying to win a few quid with our 4 or 5 team accies and how they feel disgruntled and annoyed that MrFixit allows us to have the neck to post our tips,ive a bit of news for you privilaged few,some of us dinnae have hundreds to throw on a single horse at wolverhampton,we cannae take the chance on it finishing last in a 3 horse race like you so ill continue with my ”get rich quick” £5 or 10accy if it disnae boter you too much,may not come up as often as a 2/5 horse in a 3 horse race but i for 1 aint putting a fiver on in the hope it doesnt finnish las and i get £2 profit, on with my bets…..
Arsenal to win to 0 tonight 5/4…west ham are terrible away from home,avent scored a single goal in last 5 aways,arsenal have scored 14 at home in last 5 homes.
Swansea vs Chelsea, found it a bit hard to call for a prediction on chelsea doing enough to turn it around but i like the look of a goal before 25 mins,with chelsea needing to overturn a 2-0 handicap i can see tem coming out all guns blazing,hopefully they start with Ba and not Torres, odds 5/6.
Not much footy tonight i like the look of so ill add in something from the viroria setubal vrs porto line,porto are unbeaten in 14 matches whilst vitoria avent won away from home all season s ill go Porto ht/ft odds 5/6 to make up a treble.
Super single,
I do like to look of Arsenal Winning and winning to 0 so ill take a chance on a scorecast, 2-0 at 13/2 looks a wee bit tasty.
Well someone just won 40k on Veloce @4/9 whacking on 90k to get it…………. it’s what the proffessionals seem to do, Love these big payouts, probably small stakes to this person too !
Which muppet took that bet????
Lost my J there maybe someone will replace it with a C :)
i done walcot mitchu soldado anytime treble. n am wait on swan qualify+arsenal for aca from last night. also arsenal win to nil for another wee return. good luck all
Michu/Mata anytime double for me tonight
Stevie, has a chance of course but hearing game is in doubt so keep an eye out.
Stevie H, Swansea game on, passed an inspection.
Arsenal-2 porto-2 double! Anyone know the prices?
Am sure soldado is out injured or suspended
Peter, Soldado is injured, went off in the game with Real at the weekend.
Just a single pound on Michu fgs 1/0 at 50/1. Wouldn’t be too shocked for Swansea to defend well and get one on the break.
bonkers bet= Swansea/Chelsea to win on pens 16/1.Extra time = Chelsea 11/1.Swans /16/1.
LINE-UPS Swansea v Chelsea
Swansea: Tremmel, Rangel, Chico, Williams, Davies, Britton, de Guzman, Ki, Hernandez, Michu, Routledge. Subs: Vorm, Graham, Dyer, Lamah, Monk, Shechter, Tiendalli.
Chelsea: Cech, Azpilicueta, Cahill, Ivanovic, Cole, Ramires, Oscar, Lampard, Hazard, Ba, Mata. Subs: Turnbull, Luiz, Torres, Ferreira, Marin,
Bit late LOL I’m a fanny
Goal rush from last nyt up already only needed arsenal and roma games sit and relax n hope Chelsea can convert a couple chances.