WEDNESDAY FA CUP: The Striker previews CHELSEA v LEEDS and NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER UNITED both with a recommended BETDAQ bet.
CHELSEA V LEEDS
7.30pm The FA Cup Fifth Round continues on BETDAQ Betting Exchange, and we have another two fascinating markets to focus on. I’m sure Manchester United might take the headlines with their game later, but we kick off the evening with a very interesting tie as Chelsea host Leeds. Chelsea suffered the disappointment of losing the Carabao Cup Final against Liverpool at the weekend. It was a very entertaining 90 minutes despite it finishing 0-0; I have to say though Chelsea will massively regret their performance in extra-time. They were really negative, and conceded almost with the last kick of the game. Their approach is definitely something they will regret – losing without a fight is definitely worse than losing while going for it. It will be interesting to see can they bounce back here, they face a Leeds team in superb form in the Championship. I know Leeds are well known for having fantastic fans, but they seem to be really enjoying life in the Championship – the stadium was bouncing when they beat Leicester on Friday night. They are still six points behind Leicester, and level on points with Ipswich which will be a massive battle for second on the run-in. I’d suggest Leeds fans have enjoyed the ground experience more without VAR, but that’s a debate for another day!
Chelsea come into the game as the odds on favourites. They home win is trading 1.56 with Leeds 6.4 and the draw is 4.6 at the time of writing. Obviously there is a huge gulf in class between the Premier League and the Championship these days, we have definitely saw that with the sides who came up from the Championship last season. Plus Leicester have been dominating the Championship this season. However, I have to say that the 1.56 feels too short on Chelsea here. They have been pretty average this season, and their performance levels reflect their placing in the table – they have been a mid-table side. They got a knockout punch at the weekend too, but you would also have to say that the FA Cup is all they have left. Leeds have the second best attacking figure in the Championship along with the best defensive figure – they are conceding an average xG of less than 1.0 this season. I feel we’ll see a closer game than the odds suggest here, and the 1.56 on Chelsea is worth laying. They have been poor this season, and Leeds can get a result.
The Striker Says:
Three points lay (liability) Chelsea to beat Leeds at 1.56 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/ChlLee
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V MANCHESTER UNITED
7.45pm Next we have Nottingham Forest hosting Manchester United. The saga with Manchester United continued at the weekend with a loss at Old Trafford to Fulham. The performance was very poor, and I have to say it was probably a classic example of United these days. They went into that game with good momentum, had put a few wins together, and then comes a home game that they should win on paper but they are all over the place. That’s just been Manchester United since Sir Alex Ferguson left in a nutshell. It will be interesting to see what type of performance we get here; this is another game that United should win on paper. Nottingham Forest have been one of the worst sides in the Premier League this season, but that didn’t stop them beating United 2-1 here just before New Years. United have the seventh best attacking figure in the Premier League, which isn’t impressive but it’s reasonably OK. Let’s be honest; they aren’t a Top Four side this season. The major issue this year though is they have been giving away so many chances. They are conceding an average xG as high as 1.61 in the Premier League which is exceptionally high for a side competing for the European spots. Away from home that increases to 1.77.
It’s a sign of the times that United come into this game not odds on favourites. They are just so harsh to trust these days. I really felt they would beat Fulham considering that Fulham have been one of the worst sides away from home this season, however that didn’t happen! Erik ten Hag’s men are still the favourites though, as you would expect. Manchester United are trading 2.2 with Nottingham Forest 3.55 and the draw is 3.7 at the time of writing. As I said above, Forest are one of the worst sides in the Premier League this season but so far they have avoided the bottom three. At the moment, they are one of only three sides with an average xG created under 1.0, along with Sheffield United and Burnley. That’s very poor, but they’ve actually been better at the back compared to United which is a remarkable stat. I’m going to keep stakes small in this one, it’s a fascinating affair but it’s hard to trust either side. I like a small bet on the draw here at 3.7 – we could easily see a 0-0 or 3-3 here, but I do feel the sides are closer together than the market suggests.
The Striker Says:
One point win Draw at 3.7 with BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE.
You can view all markets here -> https://betdaq.biz/NttMan
