FA Cup and Premier League betting tips: Nottingham Forest and Man City at evens, Liverpool to seal the title, and Man Utd to keep being a joke
FA Cup drama, Premier League chaos, and yes - another crack from Sports News Blitz’s Bookie Basher, who’s out to bounce back from backing Aston Villa and bag a few winners along the way.
Now then, now then.
Watching Newcastle lose 4-1 at Villa last weekend after tipping them was an emphatic reminder that my tips don’t always live up to the hype.
But as Harry Grout used to say in Porridge “You may encounter many defeats, but you must not be defeated.”
Pretty sure it was Grouty, but on reflection it may actually have been Maya Angelou. No matter.
We did conjure up 13/8 and 6/5 winners last time out for another profitable column and there are plenty of punting opportunities this weekend with two FA Cup semi-finals, Liverpool on the brink and the race to finish in the Premier League’s top five hotting right up.
Chelsea vs Everton (Premier League)
Everton have now lost two of their last four in the league and with Chelsea still very much in the hunt for a top five finish, they should be bang up for this.
Indeed, Chelsea are unbeaten in their last 29 Premier League home games against Everton and you have to go back to November 1994 for the last time they lost against the Toffees at HQ.
Chelsea and over 1.5 goals at evens? Golazo….
Suggested Bet: Chelsea and over 1.5 goals at evens (Bet Victor)
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa (FA Cup)
A place in the 144th FA Cup final at stake as Palace face seven-time winners Aston Villa at Wembley.
Since Super Oliver Glasner took charge of the Eagles in February 2024, they are unbeaten in four meetings with Unai Emery’s Aston Villa, winning three and drawing one.
That said, I fancy Villa here. Marcus Rashford has enjoyed his time at Villa Park, scoring four goals and registering six assists in all competitions, and him to score first and Villa to win this 2-1 is a 45/1 bet builder.
Cynics say this punt will take an act of God to land. I say…Yup the Jesus bet.
Suggested Bet: Rashford to score first and Aston Villa to win 2-1 at 45/1 (bet365)
READ MORE: FA Cup news: Aston Villa vs Crystal Palace – Five key battles and score prediction
Bournemouth vs Manchester United (Premier League)
Did you ever think you would see Bournemouth at 4/6 to beat Manchester United?
Well, that’s the craic this weekend and I am not even sure the Cherries are too short, given the Red Devils are in shambles and the fact it's complete chaos and dysfunctional mayhem all over the pitch.
I guess what I’m trying to say is that times change. You can't see an elephant juggling in the circus anymore and it’s obvious to anyone with eyes that Manchester United are sh*te.
Their fall off this year should be studied, framed and laughed at for decades.
Alas, Rasmus Hojlund couldn’t hit a cow’s ar*e with a snow shovel right now, with Wolves' Matheus Cunha the latest striker to be linked to the Red Devils.
Bournemouth could be the sixth different side to complete the league double over Manchester United this season with a win this weekend, and the Cherries look a bet to me to do just that.
Suggested Bet: Bournemouth to win & under 3.5 goals at 7/4 (Betfair)
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City (FA Cup)
Manchester City have been so consistent in this competition - seven semi-finals in a row - and clearly winning the FA Cup this season would mean a lot to Pep Guardiola.
However in truth there has been a metaphorical fag paper between these teams this season in terms of performance, with both still chasing down a UEFA Champions League spot.
Forest beat City as recently as March 8, so I can’t have Pep’s mob at odds on here to win in 90 minutes.
The battle between Ruben Dias and Chris Wood should be fascinating, and the draw actually looks a real runner at 11/4.
Suggested Bet: Draw at 11/4 (Betfred/bet365/Coral/Skybet)
MORE FOR YOU: FA Cup news: Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City – Five key battles and score prediction
Liverpool vs Tottenham (Premier League)
Virgil van Dijk scores an 89th minute winner against West Ham the other week and is rewarded with a new £400,000 per week contract.
I do something decent at work and I don’t even get an early finish. It’s some life, kids.
Liverpool will draw back level with Manchester United's record 20 top-flight trophies if they secure an almost inevitable Premier League title this season by avoiding defeat against Spurs.
Big Ange’s men have lost their last two in the league and surely don’t rip up the scrip here?
Indeed Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 15 home games against Tottenham in all competitions and it really should be party time at Anfield so I am going to have a flamboyant tickle on a 3-0 win.
Suggested Bet: Liverpool to win 3-0 at 10/1 (bet365)
