FA Cup Semis are sure to be classics
Fresh from their successful ventures into Europe Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea return to domestic matters this weekend. But these will not be mundane Premier League fixtures, instead they will all be gracing Wembley stadium for the FA Cup semi finals. And let’s not forget Everton who are finishing the season strongly after a poor start to the campaign.
The first semi sees Arsenal take on Chelsea in what is sure to be a fast paced and combatitve game. Both sides will be full of confidence following their passage in to the Champion’s League semis. Arsenal secured a comfortable 3-0 win against Villareal on Wednesday despite fielding a team weakened by injuries and Chelsea eventually came out on top against a dogged Liverpool side.
Chelsea will have to break a 62 year record if they are to reach the final, having never beaten Arsenal in the FA cup since Tommy Lawton scored both their goals in a 2-0 third round second replay win at White Hart Lane on 20 January 1947. However, Chelsea’s recent FA Cup pedigree is excellent. They will be hoping to add a second title in three seasons, after beating Manchester United in the 2007 final. As we reach the latter stages of the season Arsenal are beginning to build up momentum, they are unbeaten in seven and have not lost a domestic fixture since losing to Burnley in the League Cup way back in December.
This is sure to be one hell of a close game, here at PartyBets we have Chelsea as marginal favourites at 7/5 with Arsenal at 9/5. Remember the fixture has to be decided on the day but if you think the game will be too close to call after ninety minutes then you can always punt for the draw at 11/5.
On Sunday the northwest of England will invade Wembley for the second semi between Man United And Everton. Most of the pre-match talk will focus on the 1995 final between these two teams. A game that Everton won one nil thanks to a late winner from Paul Rideout. However, this result will have no bearing on this weekend’s match. After a nervous past couple of weeks United look to be getting back to something like their best form after a solid, if unspectualtar, win against Porto on Wednesday, and thus keeping the dream of winning the quintuple alive. However, the Man United defense is still showing a few shaky signs that Everton’s strong attacking line-up will be looking to exploit.
Despite missing their talented playmaker, Mikael Arteta, and much of their strikeforce Everton have the tenacity, work-rate and team ethic to provide United with the sternest of tests. Again, expect this to be a game full of excitement and end-to-end action. The bookies at PartyBets have Man united as strong favourites at 8/11 but if you think an upset is on the cards you can take odds of 4/1 on Everton to win. If you think the game will go to extra-time then the draw after ninety minutes is at 12/5.
And remember that Man United are still in hot pursuit of an unprecendented quintuple. If you think that they can achieve this remarkable feat we have them at a juicy 7/1 to win five titles this season.
If you enjoyed this post then try these:
- Once Again, England will Dominate the Champions League Semis
- Who are your tips to reach the Champion’s League Semis?
- Manchester United are victorious but fail to kill off Arsenal
- St Mirren Provide The Surprise
- FA Cup Can Be Everton’s Springboard
