A quartet of fourth round banker bets

24Jan 2013

FA Cup

Jaymes Monte picks out four 'certainties' from this weekend's FA Cup fourth round clashes...

David Moyes showed with his team selection for the third round clash with Cheltenham that the FA Cup is a main priority for Everton this season. Although there was an obvious opportunity to rest players for the trip to Whaddon Road, Moyes fielded a full strength side that duly obliged by romping to a 5-1 victory.

Bolton showed that they can still produce the goods on occasion by beating an inconsistent Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light to set up this tie. But the Trotters' own inconsistencies are highlighted by a lowly league position of 16th in the Championship and a run of three draws, three losses and three wins in their last nine matches.

Everton have been much better on the road this season than in campaigns gone by and should have too much for Wanderers at the Reebok this weekend.

Leeds 5.6 v Tottenham 1.67; The Draw 4.4

Much like Moyes, Andre Villas-Boas showed that he is taking this competition serious with his team selection against Coventry in round three. There were a few changes made to the Tottenham starting XI for that game - Hugo Lloris, Jermain Defoe and Aaron Lennon sat out - but AVB still sent out a very strong side when there was an option to do otherwise against a League One outfit.

Spurs arrive at Elland Road unbeaten in eight and buoyed by that last gasp equalizer against Manchester Untied. And although Leeds fans can point to wins against Everton and Southampton in the Capital One Cup this season, it should also be noted that on both occasions the Premier League outfit fielded considerably weakened sides. When a full strength Chelsea came to town in the quarter-finals they were torn apart and lost 5-1.

ESPN have picked this as one of their televised matches on Sunday, so obviously see potential for an upset, but odds of 1.67 look more than fair for a Spurs win.

Man Utd 1.31 v Fulham 13.0; The Draw 5.9

As far as 'bankers' go, you'd be hard pushed to find a more confident punt than backing Manchester United to beat Fulham this weekend. Sir Alex Ferguson's men are in rampant form at Old Trafford and, perhaps most worrying of all for their rivals, they're beginning to look a lot more assured defensively.

Having kept only four clean sheets in their opening 27 games in all competitions this season, United have now kept three in their last six. And were only minutes away from making that four from six at White Hart Lane last weekend, while they defended well up against some considerable Liverpool pressure in the second half at Old Trafford a fortnight ago.

Fulham have lost each of their last 10 away games against Manchester United and have only avoided defeat at the Theatre of Dreams once in their last 21 visits.

Norwich 1.34 v Luton 11.0; The Draw 5.4

Luton's reward for beating Wolves at Kenliworth Road in round three is a trip to Carrow Road to face Premier League opposition. But while they should be commended for beating a team three divisions above them, it should also be considered that Wolves subsequently sacked their manager as a result of a dire run of form.

The Canaries aren't in the best of form themselves - one win in seven - but are still a very good side on their home patch. Recent losses at Carrow Road have been by the narrowest of margins - 1-0 against Chelsea and 4-3 against Man City - and they have beaten both Manchester Untied and Arsenal in East Anglia this season.

Although the romantics may look upon this one as a potential upset, odds of 1.34 for a Premier League side to beat a non-league team on their home patch look too good to pass up.

Recommended Bets:

Back Everton to win @ 1.7

Back Tottenham to win @ 1.67

Back Man Utd to win @ 1.31

Back Norwich to win @ 1.34

A Multiple on all four favourites pays @ 4.0