Connect with us

Football Betting Tips

FA Cup Semi Finals Betting Preview

everton v chelsea fa cup 2016
@cfcunofficial - Flickr

This week sees the FA Cup take centre stage, as both semi-finals will be played at Wembley over the course of the weekend.  The first of the two semi-finals, feature teams who are in completely different form entering the match.

 

Manchester United recorded a comfortable 2-0 win over Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in the Premier League on Wednesday night, leaving them very much in contention for a top four finish this season.  It’s now three wins in a row for Louis van Gaal’s team and just one defeat in their last eight in all competitions.  This is in direct contrast to their opponents, who are now without a win in their last six games, following the humiliating 4-0 defeat to Liverpool in the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday.  With that in mind, it’s little surprise to see Manchester United installed as favourites at 21/20 with Bet365.

 

Although Everton have disappointed in the Premier League, they have done well in the cup competitions and also reached the League Cup semi-final this season.  Roberto Martinez’s team have yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup this season and nine of the last eleven games between the two teams have finished with a team winning to nil.  However, Manchester United are very much the form team of the two and they 28/11 with 888Sport to win the match to nil.  Considering open, goal scoring football has not been the style for Manchester United this season, a 1-0 win for the Red Devils can also be backed at 6/1 with Bet365.

 

The second semi-final, which will be played on Sunday afternoon, features Crystal Palace and Watford.  Both teams played mid-week Premier League fixtures away from home and lost them but with Premier League football secure for next season, they may well have had one eye on this game.

 

If truth be told, neither team is in great form, Crystal Palace have won one of their last five games, with Watford doing the same.  The league meetings between the teams ended in an away win and this looks like it could be another close semi-final to call.  Looking at the recent head-to-head, it’s Crystal Palace who have the edge and they secured an extra-time win over Watford  in the Championship play-off, at Wembley, in 2012/13.

 

Crystal Palace have recorded some good wins in the FA Cup this season, winning at Southampton and Tottenham Hotspur and in their four games, they have conceded just once.  The same can be said of Watford, who defeated Arsenal away from home in the last round and have also conceded one goal in the FA Cup this season.  The draw is available at 9/4 with SkyBet and the match ending 0-0 after 90 minutes is also on offer at 17/2 with William Hill.

 

Looking at the overall picture, Manchester United appear to be favourites against Everton and with just one defeat in six, which came in mid-week at Old Trafford, Crystal Palace have the slight edge over Watford.  With that in mind, a Manchester United vs Crystal Palace FA Cup final is available at 7/4 with SkyBet.

 

 

Disclaimer: All opinions expressed herein are that of the author and not necessarily those of Hello Punter, and should not be taken as betting advice. No bets are guaranteed, and you may lose more money than you get back. Please gamble responsibly.

 

More in Football Betting Tips