WHO HAS A CUP RUN IN THEM Another FA Cup weekend lies ahead which can make it a bit more difficult to predict, but as the competition progresses each top flight team will become more likely to play their top dogs in the hope of winning silverware. So let’s see what the best bets for this weekend’s games are:
Derby County v Leicester City
7.55pm Friday This East Midlands derby promises to be quite a close game tonight. I am expecting Ranieri to rest quite a few players this weekend due to where their concentration must lie for the rest of the season. It was quite clear from early on that their main focus had been on progressing through their Champions League. They were successful at doing so, but it also resulted in very poor Premier League form, so bad in fact that it has gotten them into a relegation battle. With a full fixture list ahead during the week next week I think Leicester will rest a few players before travelling to Burnley in what could be a 6 pointer for them.
Derby County are coming off a very good win last weekend as they overcame 4th placed Reading in the Championship. They are showing some real signs of quality with Steve McClaren back in charge, although it is not consistent enough to have them in a Playoff position at this stage of the season as they sit one place outside in 7th. They will certainly fancy themselves at home against a weakened Leicester side, especially after dispatching of West Brom in the 3rd round of the competition. They have shown that on their day they can go toe to toe with Premier League sides, so they certainly won’t show too much fear against a struggling Leicester team. #
This should be quite an open game, I don’t think either team will be expecting to lift the trophy in Wembley this May so neither team really has anything to lose as they take the field tonight. Every round they progress at this stage is a bonus for Derby County, however for the likes of Leicester it almost takes concentration away from where they need it. Mentally I think Derby will be in a better place for this one and I think they will have enough to sink a second Premier League side in a row.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Derby County at 2.98.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQDerLeic
Southampton v Arsenal
5.30pm Saturday What a result for Southampton during the week, reaching the EFL Cup final after defeating Liverpool 1-0 in each leg. They reached the final without conceding a single goal on their way. What made this even more impressive is that they played a Premier League side in every round. Now on to another cup fixture, against another top team. They host an Arsenal side who have won the Cup in two out of the last three years so we know they will take this one seriously. Southampton beat Arsenal 2-0 in the EFL Cup earlier this season, but I see this weekend’s going quite differently.
With the high of reaching Wembley already Southampton are likely to sit a few players out tomorrow. Even if they decide to play a full strength side, Arsenal will have the benefit of some extra days off during the week so they will be much fresher for the fixture. As well as this, Southampton will not have their solid central defensive partnership which has been so solid this season. Of course Fonte lef the team for West Ham earlier in this transfer window, and Van Dijk will miss the game through injury. Liverpool failed to properly test an unproven defensive partnership, but they still should have grabbed a couple of goals on Wednesday. Expect Arsenal to provide a real test up front no matter who they put out. I would guess they will rest Giroud this weekend, but they have such a deep squad they can replace him with quality.
Arsenal have been in indifferent form recently yet they still sit in second place in the Premier League. A club of their stature will be looking to compete in every competition so don’t expect them not to show up against Southampton. They scraped through the last round against Preston, and when they got their winner you could see that this competition really means something to them. Southampton will be thrilled with their appearance in Wembley for the EFL Cup final, and I think having reached that final will make them take their eye off the FA Cup this weekend. At over evens as well I think Arsenal are an excellent price.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Arsenal at 2.14.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQSoutArs
Fulham v Hull
12.30pm Sunday Hull put up a great fight to try and come back from their two goals deficit against Man United in the EFL Cup. They ended Man United’s 17 game unbeaten run, however this won’t matter to them much having failed to make the final. They put everything into this game but unfortunately it just wasn’t enough. Next up is Fulham in the FA Cup, and with a pretty short turn around it will be difficult for them to get up for this game. It is a long travel for them especially considering the side must be quite deflated after crashing out of the semi final.
Although their was positive signs from their game on Thursday night, it will take more than the couple of days for the side to appreciate this. Their focus for the rest of the year will be staying in the Premier League. This will be a tough task for them considering all the injuries they have experienced all season long, as well as losing a few star players to transfers this January. As is the case with both other sides I’m going against this weekend, I just don’t feel their mind will be fully in this game. They will also be very tired. As I mentioned they have been battling injuries, so their side on Sunday will be largely the same as the one that took to the field on Thursday night, largely because they haven’t much choice.
Fulham are having an average season so far. They sit in 9th place in the Championship, five points outside of the Playoffs. Although I don’t think they are a team that will threaten getting promoted this season, I certainly think they will be able to catch out a tired, deflated Hull side this Sunday. Hull will almost be relieved to have only the Premier League to concentrate on for the rest of the season as they try to get some players back from injury.
TONY’S BEST BET:
Back Fulham at 2.14.
You can view all markets here -> http://bit.ly/BDQFulHull
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