FA Cup betting tips: Cardiff City to score, and banter club Manchester United to serve up more chaos

We are up, for the Cup, and Sports News Blitz’ Bookie Basher is here with his highly anticipated betting tips.

The Last Outlaw of Sports Gambling was at it again last weekend, casually napping a 16/1 winner in the Aston Villa vs Chelsea game.

Didn’t back it? Don't you worry. I'm telling you, stick with me and the world is your lobster.

Aston Villa vs Cardiff City

The Bluebirds may be struggling in the Champo but travel to Villa Park on Friday night looking to reach the quarter-finals for the first time since 2008.

Aston Villa at 1/7 is ridiculous. I mean, slap my arse and call me Craig Bellamy. If you are backing that you need another hobby, as Villa were a shambles against Crystal Palace in midweek.

It’s actually mad how much they miss Tyrone Mings when he is out, and I fancy goals here in a game ITV pick up live.

Suggested Bet: Cardiff to score in both halves at 10/1 (Paddy Power)

Crystal Palace vs Millwall

Palace are flying, and have looked great in back-to-back wins against Fulham and Villa. Not sure what Oliver Glasner is putting in Will Hughes's coffee but what a season he is having.

London derby this so surely the Eagles don’t take the p*ss in terms of squad rotation?

Millwall showed by beating Leeds at Elland Road in the last round, they are not - to use the Danny Dyer vernacular - ” proper muggy” and will be bang up for this.

If Eberechi Eze and Jean-Philippe Mateta start for Palace, they should be too good and I can see them having this wrapped up early if they are focused.

As an aside, a cousin of mine from Croydon used to swear that if you say “Karl Marx” three times into a mirror, Jeremy Corbyn will appear and nationalise all your jam.

Suggested Bet: Palace / Palace Half-time Full-time at 21/20 (Bet MGM /Unibet)

Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle

Even after suffering their eighth defeat of the season - and Paddy Power paying out on Liverpool to win the Premier League - I would be proper shocked if Manchester City fail to qualify for next season's UEFA Champions League.

For a start, fifth place is likely to be enough, and Pep’s mob are currently fourth.

In terms of winning something though, the FA Cup is their last roll of the dice this season (it's actually mental writing that last sentence in February!)

Plymouth showed the world's oldest football competition still has the ability to shock after dumping Liverpool out, but they are 40/1 rags to win at the Etihad.

40/1! That’s a big price, but I fear it’s a big price as they will be getting dealt with here.

City's performances have improved in recent weeks, and for the first time in what feels like forever they looked something like their usual selves against Spurs (in the first half anyway).

A few eyebrows were raised when Kevin De Bruyne was not named in the starting XI in North London, but if he starts here, then 2/1 looks OK about him scoring with bet365 (the same bet is as short as 7/5 in places).

Suggested Bet: De Bruyne to score anytime De Bruyne at 2/1 (bet365)

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Newcastle United vs Brighton

Newcastle have won just two of their last 15 meetings with Brighton in all competitions, and Brighton have won each of their last four FA Cup games against the Toon without conceding a single goal.

Ergo, Newcastle at around the even money mark should not be floating your boat, truth be told.

In fact, the draw looks like a real runner here at 11/4.

Have Newcastle’s players actually got one eye on that Wembley date in a few weeks?

They will know that if they actually win some silverware they will become immortals on Tyneside, and watching the Mags v Liverpool the other night I was getting pre-season friendly energy (apart from Bruno Guimaraes going at it with Mac Allister in midfield, which was f***ing mega).

Anyway, draw for me, and f**k Gaspar Gomez. And f**ck the Diaz brothers. I’ll bury those cockroaches.

Suggested Bet: Draw at 11/4 (Betfred/Coral/Hills)

Manchester United vs Fulham

Banter club Manchester United scored a much-needed crisis averted for now-type victory over Ipswich in midweek.

Playing five defenders against Ipswich at home is off the charts.

Not sure I get Ruben Amorim’s obsession with playing a formation where every single player looks like they are out of position. But I do like his chinos.

It's a proper sh*t show at Old Trafford. Sir Jim Ratcliffe's determination to drive down costs in an effort to address continuing losses at OT continues unabated, with more redundancies announced this week.

In summary, scran wise everyone except the first team are now on soup and rolls while Andre Onana reportedly picks up £120,000 a week. Bosh.

The Red Devils are a top price 6/4 for the win on Sunday but 19/10 for Fulham is just sat there winking at me seductively.

Suggested Bet: Fulham to win at 19/10 (Coral)

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