Will There Be Shocks in the FA Cup Fifth Round?
We’ve reached the fifth round of the FA Cup. Just 16 clubs remain and a trip to Wembley is getting ever closer. Which of the eight ties being played over the next few days might just see shock results?
The biggest shock would be non-league Maidstone United winning at Championship side Coventry City on Monday February 26. The National League South outfit won at Ipswich Town in the last round but didn’t get the glamour tie against a top Premier League side. They are 18/1 at bet365 to win this match in 90 minutes.
Coventry City lost at home to the then non-league Wrexham last season. They are chasing promotion and should be able to make it into the quarter finals. William Hill offer odds of 1/10 on them doing so.
If Newcastle United want to be playing European football next season, they might have to win the FA Cup this term. The weekend saw them lose 4-1 at Arsenal and on Tuesday, they travel to Championship strugglers Blackburn Rovers.
United concede far too many goals in the Premier League but have had two clean sheets in this season’s FA Cup. Wins have come at Sunderland and Fulham but this is a tricky match for them at Blackburn. They are 1/2 at William Hill to win the match in normal time.
The home side aren’t in the best of form but have only lost one of their last five games. The last three have all been drawn and it’s 15/4 at BetVictor this match is level after 90 minutes with Rovers 9/2 to win in 90 minutes.
Forest Out to Repeat Win over United
Wednesday February 28 sees an all Premier League clash as Nottingham Forest host Manchester United. Both sides had poor results at the weekend and this looks a fascinating cup tie.
Forest are battling relegation but did beat Manchester United 2-1 at home in late December. They’ve had to go to replays in both rounds so far against Blackpool and Bristol City. It’s 5/2 at bet365 they can beat United for the second time this season.
This is the only chance United have to win silverware this season. They had been in good form until Saturday’s home loss to Fulham. Hojlund had been scoring plenty of goals for them but he’s out injured and that’s a major blow. You can get evens on them winning at Forest in 90 minutes if going to William Hill. A bet on both teams scoring looks good and that’s 8/13 at bet365.
Championship Sides Look Strong
Chelsea lost in Sunday’s Carabao Cup final and now have an awkward home game against Leeds United on Wednesday. Just how will they react to that disappointing loss in extra time at Wembley? It’s 1/2 at BetVictor they can win this game in normal time.
Leeds United are second in the Championship and an immediate return to the Premier League is likely. They are unbeaten in their last 12 games and scoring plenty of goals. A shock could well be on the cards here and BetVictor offersoffers odds of 9/2 on a win over Chelsea in 90 minutes.
Leicester City top the Championship and travel to Bournemouth on Tuesday. They are on their way back to the top flight and a shock is on the cards. You can get 16/5 at William Hill on them winning.
Cup holders Manchester City travel to Luton Town. They’re on one of their famous long unbeaten runs and should get to the last eight.
Liverpool’s quest to win the quadruple continues with a home tie against Southampton on Wednesday. They’ve shown what they can do even without their top players and are 4/9 with William Hill to get another win.
Brighton and Hove Albion won 4-1 at Wolves earlier in the season. They are inconsistent though and could well be knocked out of the FA Cup on Wednesday by improving Wolves. It’s 31/20 at bet365 they get the win.
A great week of FA Cup football lies ahead and we tip Leeds and Leicester to cause upsets in round five.
