FA Cup Final Stages As we enter crunch time in the FA Cup we are left with some excellent fixtures between some of the top teams in the country, and as always, there is still a surprise team or two remaining. This weekend we will find out the final four left in the competition, and I for one am excited to see some of the games.

EVERTON GREAT PRICE AT HOME
This is one I think you need to get on a bit early in order to get the value. I don’t think Everton will be an anywhere near the 2.62 you can get them at now, tomorrow afternoon. On a normal day, maybe. But Chelsea have one major injury that really damages their chances in this one. Diego Costa is promised to miss the game, and with him goes Chelsea’s main goal threat. They still have Willian, who has been excellent all year, but other than him they lack creativity.

This Chelsea side looked dead on their feet against PSG during the week. Players like Fabregas really struggled to get around the park, and against the likes of Barkley I think they could be in trouble in midfield. I also think their defense is a bit weak without Terry. Many people have the remaining defenders have stepped up, but I don’t think they have been as good as people have been preaching. Lukaku can really be a danger against Cahill and Ivanovic with his combination of sizer and skill.

This is a big game for both teams in reality. Neither look to be getting in to either European competition via the league, so the FA Cup would be a way to book themselves into the Europa League. On top of this, I think Martinez will have a huge emphasis on the cup, it is a way to take away some of the pressure that is on him die to their poor performances in the league. Everton have always been good at getting up for the big games under Martinez. It is the games they are expected to win that they really disappoint. Looking at this, along with the price you can have them, I am all over Everton this weekend. Verdict – Everton Win

PERFECT GAME FOR PALACE
Palace have been in torrid form since the turn of the year, there is no mistaking that. They still haven’t won a game in 2016, and suddenly find themselves on the brink of a relegation battle. Luckily for them, they have a bit of a cup run going, and I think it is due to continue this weekend. This game really sets up well for them. Pardew is back to a former club, and being brutally honest, Reading aren’t close to being Premier League standard.

With some of the players that Palace are due to get back, I think this is the game that can turn them around somewhat. Get to the semi final of the FA Cup and suddenly your squad has a lot more belief in itself, and I think this can carry through to league form. Palace have had a couple of unlucky results recently, sure they have not been playing well, but they still don’t look a side waiting for their first league win in this calendar year.

With the speed of players like Bolasie and Zaha I think Palace can really get at this Reading side, and with Wycombe coming back, they have their target man up front. Cup runs do great things for sides, even look at Aston Villa last year. This game really sets up well for Palace and I expect them to take full advantage. Verdict – Palace Win

MAN CITY POOR AWAY FROM HOME
City’s price is crazy considering their away form this season. In my opinion 1.64 is way too short for a side with only a handful of away wins. They are a classic case of a team who are still being priced based on their reputation, rather than their form. Norwich aren’t a great side by any means, but I think they have enough to straggle a result from this one.

At this stage in the season, teams must realise what it takes to beat Man City. Just watch the template of their games against Liverpool, Leicester, Spurs and a couple more. Put pressure on them, don’t allow them to play their own way and they will crumble. For a team with such quality, it is shocking that they haven’t figured out how to beat teams who take this approach. And until they show they can beat a team playing like this, their opposition would be crazy not to adopt the same approach.

On their day City could absolutely demolish Norwich, the only problem is that this season they have not been on their game 8/10 times! City have struggled mightily without De Bruyne, they aren’t creating chances at the same rate as they were. Their defense is still poor, Kompany is back so it is a bit better but he still doesn’t have full match fitness. Norwich are an organised side without elite talent at their disposal. They have it in them to frustrate Man City to the point where they can muster a result. Verdict – Lay Man City