Wednesday’s FA Cup 5th Round Ties
David Easson previews the midweek round of FA Cup Fixtures as we reach the last 16…
4 games tonight and let’s get the first thing out of the way, whatever form Southampton have been in during the last few weeks, 13/8 for the double chance on them getting the win or draw in 90 minutes at Liverpool is a very backable price. The Reds have almost zero fit players, they went deep into extra time on Sunday with half a side of teenagers and the FA Cup is now last priority for Klopps’s men. If this was at St Mary’s I’d be all over the Saints but the Anfield factor may still tell, but they have Forest away on Saturday and I can’t see Klopp risking anyone.
Chelsea v Leeds is their first cup meeting since the 1970 bloodbath final and again, how do Chelsea bounce back here against a Leeds side absolutely flying in the Championship. Daniel Farke just needs to let his side loose and not think about the fact it’s at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea were great at Villa in the last round but again you have to be tempted by the away side from the Championship. Leeds or the draw is 7/5 and a near 11/2 double for both Leeds and Southampton to get at least extra time.
Manchester United go to Forest after that horrendous home performance against Fulham, still without Hojland and with City on the horizon on Sunday. Forest’s form is a rollercoaster since Nuno took over and his team selection will show you exactly how seriously he’s taking it, especially with Everton leapfrogging them in the table on Monday. United should take this easily but it’s that lack of a goalscoring focus that will hinder them. That said, they should have Rashford and Garnacho playing and it’s the young winger I’ll back to take a chance as United win. That’s 17/5. It could be a grind this one. A late United win for me.
Finally Wolves take on Brighton, who just LOVE playing at Molyneux. They’ve scored ten in their last 3 visits. There’s also been 4 red cards in the last 4 meetings in Wolverhampton, so that’s a market to watch. Both come in with very similar records and with Wolves safe and looking up in the league, and Brighton with Roma in the Europa League on the horizon, it levels things up somewhat. It may not be the 4-1 away win of August. Things have changed for both sides. I think this goes all the way with the ever-impressive Hwang on the scoresheet.
Hwang anytime in a draw is a great price of 15/2, with a 2-2 draw in that at 22/1.