FA CUP QUARTER FINALS: The Striker previews PRESTON NORTH END v ASTON VILLA and BOURNEMOUTH v MANCHESTER CITY both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
PRESTON NORTH END V ASTON VILLA
1.30pm The FA Cup Quarter-Finals continue on BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE with the remaining two fixtures on Sunday! It’s fair to say that most football fans will be expecting two away wins here; but we could easily see some drama! We start the day with Preston North End hosting Aston Villa – there’s a big gulf in class between the sides here and it’s not a surprise to see Unai Emery’s men come into the game as the odds on favourites. Aston Villa are trading 1.48 with Preston North End 8.0 and the draw is 4.8 at the time of writing. The level from Villa this season has definitely dropped, they are in a Champions League Quarter-Final and an FA Cup Quarter-Final here, but they’ve been largely unimpressive in the Premier League as they sit in mid-table. Obviously there is still a lot to play for given how few points are between them and the European spots, but they are marginally conceding more chances than they are creating in the Premier League this season. In any high-quality domestic league, that standard usually leads to a side sitting in mid-table. Villa have struggled to create good quality chances; they have the seventh worst attacking figure in the Premier League this season.
With that in mind, despite the obvious gulf in class between the sides, I wouldn’t be rushing to take the 1.48 on Villa here. They will likely get the job done of course, but it’s hard to make a solid argument that they should be massive shorter; sub 1.4 for example. Preston are a mid-table Championship side, and they have had a good draw to get this far. Their performance levels are unimpressive too. Their average xG created is only 1.18 which is the joint-third worst attacking figure in the Championship. They have been reasonably solid at the back though and that is what has them away from the relegation zone. It’ll be interesting to see their tactics here; even though it’s a Cup game with home advantage I can’t see them being too open – at least to begin with anyway. With Villa struggling to create good quality chances and the home side limited up top too; this game screams Under 2.5 goals in my opinion. That’s trading at a very appealing 2.14. I have to say I was surprised to see it trading odds against, and I’m happy with a three points bet.
The Striker Says:
Three points win Under 2.5 goals at 2.14 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FAPrAs
BOURNEMOUTH V MANCHESTER CITY
4.30pm We finish the FA Cup Quarter-Finals with Bournemouth hosting Manchester City. This is the tie of the round in my opinion – obviously all eyes are on City given this is their last chance of winning a trophy this season. They just haven’t been themselves though, and the market reflects that. We have an open betting heat; Manchester City come into the game as the favourites at 2.42 with Bournemouth 2.96 and the draw is 3.9 at the time of writing. It wasn’t so long ago that if City were presented with this draw and teams left at the Quarter-Final stage of a competition, they would be trading under 2.4 to win the entire thing never mind just over 90 minutes! City have been a lot easier to play against this season, so it’ll be fascinating to see can Bournemouth attack them here. Bournemouth have been absolutely excellent going forward this season too – their average xG created is 1.75 and that’s the joint-third best attacking figure in the Premier League, only behind Liverpool and Manchester City. They have been one of the most entertaining sides to watch this season, because they’ve been very open at the back too!
Bournemouth have an average xG conceded of 1.54, which is really high. They are outsiders to finish in the European spots in the Premier League but they have at least got themselves within range to make a challenge points wise. It’s hard to have a lot of confidence in City at the moment – they have been through a lot this season and as I said above, they’ve just been too easy to play against. With that being said, the 2.42 does feel a little big here. This is City’s main focus now, and Bournemouth have been conceding a lot of chances this season. We should have an entertaining game, and Over 2.5 goals is definitely a nice option at 1.52 as is Both Teams To Score which is trading a few ticks shorter at 1.48. I do expect goals here; City have been sloppy at the back and obviously Bournemouth have that high average xG conceded figure. However, I do feel that the 2.42 on City offers more value compared to the goal bets – so I’m happy to take a chance on Pep Guardiola’s men to finally get their act together this season!
The Striker Says:
Two points win Manchester City to beat Bournemouth at 2.42 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/FABoMa
