FA Cup Tips: Joy for Foxes but misery for Lions and Seagulls

24Jan 2013

FA Cup

The FA Cup takes centre stage again this weekend and the last time this happened, Paul Robinson had an 11/2 correct score winner. With a 3.6 profit last week as well, it might prove wise to follow his selections...

Millwall v Aston Villa

Back Aston Villa @ 2.8 (9/5)

Back Aston Villa to win 2-1 @ 10.0 (9/1)

Millwall take on Aston Villa on Friday night to kick off the fourth round of the FA Cup and I think that Villa could prove the value, even though they're away from home.

Kenny Jackett's side are ninth in the Championship and despite winning just one of their last six, they are still within five points of the play-off places. Their form must be a concern for the manager though as even the home performances have slipped in recent weeks.

Disappointing defeats to Barnsley and Burnley at The Den can't be masked by a 2-1 victory over the struggling Bristol City and with a Premier League team in town, The Lions could be easily tamed.

Aston Villa are having their own struggles this season but while they've floundered in the league, they've performed well in the cups. Victories away at Manchester City, Swindon and Norwich were earned in the Capital One Cup and they fended off Championship opposition in the last round of this one.

Despite taking a couple of hammerings on the road this term, Paul Lambert's team have achieved some impressive results, most notably at Anfield in December when they sailed past Liverpool by three goals to one.

The Villans have scored two or more in four of their last six away from home, but they haven't kept a clean sheet since the start of November, so I think a 1-2 win in the correct score market is definitely worth a bet at 10.0 (9/1).

Brighton v Arsenal

Back Arsenal @ 1.7 (7/10)

Back 'Yes' for Both Teams To Score @ 1.6 (6/10)

Brighton overcame Premier League opposition in the last round of this competition but Arsene Wenger's Arsenal should prove a much tougher task than Newcastle were.

The Seagulls are eighth in the Championship, five points off the play-off places. Gus Poyet has done a good job since becoming boss and they have a real shot at promotion this year if they can start turning some of their many draws into wins.

At the Falmer Stadium they have won their last two, but before that they'd gone three without victory, and had won just two of their last 10. Brighton haven't quite been prolific enough as although they keep their fair share of clean sheets and rarely fire blanks themselves, they only netted more than once in five of their last dozen at home.

Arsenal are one of the favourites to lift the trophy in May and Arsene Wenger will be praying they can do so as it's been far too long without silverware for a club of Arsenal's stature.

The Gunners overcame a tricky tie with Swansea in the last round, drawing at the Liberty before getting the job done at the Emirates. They lost their last away match on Sunday at Stamford Bridge but after a pretty pathetic first half performance, they were much better after the break and were unlucky not to snatch a draw.

Wenger will have his side massively fired up for this clash and while I think they'll win, I can't see them keeping a clean sheet given that they haven't in any of their last eight on the road. Both teams to score may be quite short at 1.6 (6/10) but it looks like a pretty safe bet.

Huddersfield v Leicester

Back Leicester @ 1.66 (4/6)

Back Under 2.5 goals @ 2.05 (21/10)

Championship clubs Huddersfield and Leicester meet at the John Smith's Stadium and I think it will be the home side who will be left bitter come the final whistle.

Huddersfield were promoted from League One via the play-offs last term and after a solid start their form has dipped dramatically since November and they are without a league win in 12.

The only respite for Simon Grayson was a 1-0 victory away at Charlton in the third round of this competition and the Addicks played most of the second half with 10 men. The Terriers may have avoided defeat in their last four at home but they lost to Leicester when they met back in October as Anthony Knockaert scored twice in a 2 -0 away win for the Foxes.

Leicester are flying at the moment and Kasper Schmeichael's heroic late penalty save against Middlesbrough on Friday gave them their fifth win in a row. They beat Saturday's opposition 6-1 at home during that spell and Anthony Knockeart again notched a brace so he clearly enjoys playing against the West Yorkshire side.

Nigel Pearson may have pulled off the signing of the transfer window thus far in the form of striker Chris Wood. Since his move he has netted five goals in three starts for the Midlands outfit and the New Zealand international has linked up well with David Nugent.

While the obvious play might be to back goals in this match, I think the value could lie in under 2.5 at 2.05 (21/10). Huddersfield's last three at home have all had two goals or less as have six of Leicester's last seven away from the King Power.

Recommended Bets

Back Aston Villa @ 2.8 (9/5)

Back Aston Villa to beat Millwall 2-1 @ 10.0 (9/1)

Back Arsenal @ 1.7 (7/10)

Back 'Yes' for Both Teams To Score in Brighton v Arsenal @ 1.6 (6/10)

Back Leicester @ 1.66 (4/6)

Back Under 2.5 goals in Huddersfield v Leicester @ 2.05 (21/10)

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