FA CUP SATURDAY: The Striker previews Saturday’s FA Cup Quarter Final between MIDDLESBROUGH v CHELSEA with a recommended BETDAQ bet.

MIDDLESBROUGH V CHELSEA

5.15pm The FA Cup Quarter Finals take centre stage this weekend and we kick it off on Saturday with all football bets 0% Commission on BETDAQ Betting Exchange. We only have one fixture today with the other three Quarter-Finals tomorrow, and we start the weekend with Middlesbrough hosting Chelsea. There’s already been plenty of drama in the build-up to this game with Chelsea asking for the match to be played behind closed doors due to not being able to sell their tickets because of the government sanctions.

The government and fans reacted alike to the “bizarre” request, and Chelsea had to withdraw it. Quite what they were thinking at the time is anyone’s guess, and it seems if they had any goodwill left from rival fans it has gone now with that request. Chelsea obviously face a very uncertain time as a club at the moment, but I’m sure the sale will go through eventually – the UK government aren’t going to let a club like Chelsea go to the wall. They will find a deal, and it will all be worked out. For the time being though they are in a very awkward situation, but they are continuing to win on the pitch.

Since losing to Liverpool in the League Cup Final, Chelsea have had an easy fixture list. Hey have yet to be fully tested. I know the manager and the players will say their job is on the pitch, but surely they can’t avoid the news at the moment. They have beat Luton Town in the last round of the FA Cup, then faced Burnley, Norwich and Newcastle in the Premier League and then grinded out a win in the Champions League to Lille. At a tricky time for the club, they have “got lucky” with the fixture list.

This will be a tough test for Chelsea, although again they meet a club not at their level. Middlesbrough are having a good season though and will come into this game with confidence. They are battling hard for the Playoff places in the Championship and they have already knocked Manchester United and Spurs out of the FA Cup this season. Middlesbrough did have a tough run lately when they lost to Barnsley, Sheffield United and drew with Millwall but they played very well on Tuesday night against Birmingham and to be fair they were unlucky to lose against Barnsley looking at the xG figures.

In the end, Chelsea will likely grind out another win here but I do feel from a betting point of view that the 1.54 is too short on Chelsea. Middlesbrough have been fantastic this season, and with home advantage they are going to make this a very difficult evening for Chelsea. Betting is all about getting value, and while I know to acknowledge that Chelsea will likely win I still feel the 1.54 is too short and from a betting point of view I’m happy to lay Chelsea. I fully expect a closer game than the odds suggest.

The Striker Says:
Two points lay (liability) Chelsea to beat Middlesbrough at 1.54 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.

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