The football betting opportunities in the FA Cup are more diverse when teams far apart in terms of skill and status square off in the early rounds. Because the top teams often rest key players for these matches particularly against comparatively weak opposition it is difficult for the bookmakers to compile the odds because the exact line up of the stronger side is often shrouded in secrecy before the match begins. Liverpool without Gerrard and Carragher demands different odds than when they play. Upsets are a part of FA Cup tradition and punters do support the underdogs to get that big win when the upsets do occur.

In the old days before Sky television an FA Cup match was one of the only times an armchair fan was able to watch a football match from their home. It was therefore something the average football fan looked forward to. Because of the novelty and excitement of watching the match on TV fans were very keen to watch the FA Cup. It meant a lot to the players too as being on television, winning cups and earning medals was the reason they played the game as they were not paid the exorbitant wages current players enjoy. They played for the love of the game and for their team mates.

Unfortunately football is so widely available to armchair supporters that, like anything else that is constantly present on TV, the novelty wore off. The large amount of football on television has even been known to destroy people’s interest in football in some cases. You can now watch a match almost every day of the week if you wish and that is a lot of football.

When Leeds beat Manchester Utd at Old Trafford recently by 1-0 with a goal from Jermaine Beckford this reminds fans that the FA Cup is still relevant to modern football and upsets can still occur. Because the top players are better prepared for football with high-tech training, diet, and psychological preparation the chances of a third division team with plenty of heart toppling a Premiership side is perhaps smaller than in previous eras of football. It can still happen, as Man Utd fans know only too well.

Chelsea are my tip to win the FA Cup this season as other favourites like Liverpool and Arsenal tinker with their teams a lot during Cup games and are vulnerable to upsets. Chelsea are always strong in their starting eleven and they will be tough to beat this year under Ancelotti. You can currently place a bet at odds of 4.75 for Chelsea to win the cup and bwin.com share my view they are the team to beat with second favourites Arsenal priced way back at odds of 7.25.

My recommendation to the readers is to take a look at the live streaming that bwin offer in their live betting section. Watching the magical FA cup matches, particularly in the early rounds where upsets can and often do happen, whist betting live is a great way to participate in the various twists and turns these football matches have.

By Malcolm Clarke

In this part I will list some of the favourites and write about why I don’t they will win the champions league this year.

Fc Barcelona @ 5.00

Barcelona won this tournament last year and that’s one of the reasons that I don’t think they can win again. Manchester United had the chance to be the first team to win Champions league two times in a row since it started 1992 / 1993 (note that I am writing about Champions league in that format that is played today, and not the former European cup).

But Barcelona beat them in the finals, so no team have doubled champions league wins in a row yet. And I think it will be hard for Barcelona to win this year as well even though they might have one of the best teams in Europe.

They haven’t lost any key players before this season and have bought Zlatan Ibrahimovic from Inter Milan. But I don’t think that will be enough to go all the way again. They where a bit lucky last year, when they beat Chelsea in the semi finals, and statistically I don’t think they can do the same again even thought they have a solid squad and play well.

Manchester United @ 9.00

Manchester United is, just like Barcelona, always one of the favourites to win Champions League. Not as big favourite as last year but still pretty big once. They pay 7.00 in odds if they win Champions League and that’s to low according to me.

After 3 – 4 matches in Premier League I still wonder how Man United how will they handle the loss of their best player – Christiano Ronaldo.

C Ronaldo is not only a great football player but he has also scored lots of goals for the red devils. And often when he didn’t scored goals he was an important component who often takes the free kicks, corners and so on witch results in goals.

United lost a player who totally scores about 35-40 goals each season and with his skills that he had it will be hard to replace. Besides Ronaldo they even lost a fighter in their offence in Carlos Tevez who went for the local rivals Manchester City. Even Tevez will be hard to replace with his fighting spirit and always hard working on the pitch.

Even though Sir Alex has a complete and solid team and has bought some players that will try to replace Tevez and Ronaldo, I find it hard that they can go all the way again. Actually I find it hart too se that they even can reach the final this year.

I would never play Manchester United as winner of Premier League coming season for 7.00 as payback.

Arsenal @ 9.00

Fc Arsenal has started their premier league season better then my expectations. And that might be a fact that they won’t win Champions League. Wenger and his Arsenal haven’t won any trophy in many years now and the fans are screaming for a new one.

I have to admit that I didn’t believe in Arsenal before this season started but now I at least give them a chance to fight for the title.

 They still have a young team and my feelings are that if they still are in the top of the league, their chances to win champions will reduce.

Liverpool @ 13.00

Has started the league worse then expected and Rafa Benitez have claimed that the league is more and more important for every year that goes by. Last year Liverpool was second in premier league and even though they “always” go better in European cups then home in premier League I don’t believe they have a team that can go all the way.

Inter Milan @ 13.00, Ac Milan @ 21.00 and Juventus @ 21.00

I choose to put the text for all the Italian clubs under the same headline.

My reason to do that is that I think none of the teams will go far. While Premier League have gone better and better trough out the last couples of years Serie A have went the other way. Last year three English teams met three Italian team in the knock-out round and every game was won by the English teams.

Notable is that Ac Milan, always strong in European cups, didn’t play Champions League last year after have finished fifth in the league the year before. Now they are back in the best club tournament in Europe but without their best player, Kaka.

Without players like Zlatan Ibrahmovic, Kaka and so on I don’t think any of the Italian teams can compete with the best clubs in Europe. The only team that I might bet on later in the tournament, depending on how they start, is Ac Milan.

All the odds that I compare with are picked from Bwin.com soccer.

Best regards

/Amrish

Eight teams remaining and they are all four games away from the final at Rome, and five games from the trophy.

Totally four of eight teams that are remaining in the tournament is from England (Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Chelsea). We have two teams from Spain remaining (Barcelona and Villarreal) and the two teams remaining is from Portugal (F C Porto), Germany (Bayern Munich).

The first two Quarter finals will be played Tuesday 7^th of April (Manchester United vs. Porto and Villarreal vs. Arsenal) and the other games will be played the following days, 8^th of April, (Barcelona vs. B Munich and Liverpool vs. Chelsea).

Here are my thoughts for the first two games:

Manchester United vs. Porto, Home win @ 1.35

Manchester United was favourites to win Champions League before the draw and are even bigger favourites now after the draw. In my mind five of the eight remaining temas have a realistic chance to win this tournament (Man Utd, Liverpool, Chelsea, Barcelona and B Munich). Beside Manchester United all the others was drawn into same half. This means that the door to the final is very open for Man Utd.

This first game against Porto is played home at Old Trafford and I can’t se how the Portuguese side is going to threat in this game. They have done a great job passing through the first knock out round by a win against Atletico Madrid, but Manchester United is the toughest possible opponent.

While the first game is played at Old Trafford my guess is that United will try to finish this game here by a 2 – 3 goal win, and that’s not an impossible outcome. With players like Wayne Rooney, Christiano Ronaldo, Carlos Teves, Demitar Berbatov on their attacking side United have several potential match winners.

Porto will probably try to hold on 0 – 0 as long as they can manage and focus on their defence. But against an opponent like Manchester United its hardly impossible to hold on that for a whole game. So I start this Champions League betting with Manchester United as my sure Pick of day one.

Villarreal vs. Arsenal, home win @ 2.40

Villarreal won against the Greek side Panathinaikos in the first knock out stage while Arsenal beat Roma. But Arsenals win came after penalty shoot outs. They deserved to win that shoot out since they where the better side against Roma.

Villarreal showed a great strength by winning in Greece, and that win should not be underestimated.

My guess here is that Arsene Wenger will try to lock the central midfield in this game. Because I think that he has big respect for Villarreal’s offence.  Giuseppe Rossi and Sati Cazorla has shown that they are world class players and if they get some chances its defiantly going to be at least one goal.

With the home advantage I pick Villarreal as winners here and 2.40 is an ok odds.

The odds are picked from Bwin-football.

Best luck

/Amrish

All games are “alive” since none of the first matches ended with more then one goals difference. Three out of this four games (Inter vs. Manchester United 0 – 0, Lyon vs. Barcelona 1 – 1 and Porto vs. Athletic Madrid 2 – 2 and went draw last time and I think that all of these three home teams has a big advantage in this rematches. In the last game Arsenal defeated Roma, in London, with 1 – 0.

Here are my best picks of today’s Champions League games:

Barcelona vs. Lyon, home win @ 1.35

Even if the odds can seem a bit low (for a Champions League match) I think that this will be a pretty easy win for the Spanish team.

Barcelona is defiantly the better side and home at Camp Nou they have a solid and offensive game. Lyon is not a bad side, not at all, but I don’t think they can compete with Barcelona in this match. I think that this should bee an easy win for the home side and that’s why I pick this as the best bet today!

Roma vs. Arsenal, draw @ 3.15

After 1 – 0 at home for Arsenal they have a small advantage in this rematch. Roma is a strong side home in Rome, but they have lots of injuries in today’s game, and lots of the players are ordinary in their starting line-up.

Arsenal won at Emirates and necessary don’t have to win today, I think that Wenger will start with more defensive positions and wait for Roma to attack. Without players like Totti, Vucinic and De Rossi Roma wont be able to put Arsenal under pressure as they could have done with this players on the pitch. So I think that this game will end with a draw, and it pays 3.15 in odds.

Manchester United vs. Inter Milan, away win @ 5.00

I know that many people think I am crazy when I pick Inter as my winner here. Especially after the first game where Manchester united was way better then Inter and deserved to win.

But even though I think that united have great chance to win this game I can’t motivate my self to pick them as winners when they pay 1.65 against Inter.

Inter have worldclass players in their squad as Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Dejan Stankovic, Eseteban Cambiasso, Patrik Viera, Julio Cesar, Maicon and so on. And even though Manchester United seems better in every position at the moment you shouldn’t underestimate a team with Mourinho on the bench and these players on the pitch.

So even though I think that United will win this game I place my bet on Inter because of the higher odds value.

Porto vs. Athletic Madrid, home win @ 2.10

The first game ended 2 to 2 and that means that Porto goes trough even with 1 – 1 or 0 – 0. But I still think that they will go for the win today, and I sure think that they have good chances to win home at Estádio do Dragão.

I really don’t know why I am so sure that Porto will win this game. Because Athletic Madrid are in great form after their win against Barcelona (4 to 3) and draw against Real Madrid (1 to 1) in the two last league games. But something tells me that Porto will make this. Low stake recommended though.

All the odds are picked from football odds at bwin.

Good Luck with your betting today wishes/Amrish

Today’s games are Inter vs. Manchester United, Arsenal vs. Roma, Atletico Madrid vs. Porto and Lyon vs. Barcelona with all the group winners starting away. You can always follow the matches by checking free live scores provided by many sports sites.

I will give you my best betting advice for these four games that are scheduled today.

Inter vs. Manchester United, Draw @ 3.25

This is the biggest game of them all in this round and whole Europe’s focus is on this game.

My thoughts are that Manchester United is the better and stronger side here but Inter are hard to beat when they are playing home in Milan and Giuseppe Meazza. Most of the talk before this game is focused on the injury problem that Manchester United have on their defenders. One thing is for sure, Nemanja Vidic is defiantly going to miss this game because of his suspension. The fact that Nemanja will miss this game is a big loss for his team since he’s one of the best defenders in the world right now.

Then we have “injuries” on Gary Neville, Rafael Da Silva, Wes Brown, John Oshea, and Jonathan Evens. But since Evens and Oshea are included in Sir Alex Ferguson’s squad I have a feeling that they will be able to play today.

Inter has a strong team in their attacking play. Players like Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Adriano, Dejan Stankovic and Muntari, Julio Cruz, Balotelli and so on they have several options forward. But the defence has been their weaker link trough the season. Lucky for them that goalkeeper Cesar is reliable.

My guess is that United are stronger then Inter but that they are satisfied with a draw away and will go for that. That’s why I bet on x here.

Arsenal vs. Roma, home win @ 1.90

Arsenal is not going that well in Premier League and has difficulties with their attacking play.

Roma was way after the top in the beginning of Serie A but have played better lately and are approaching towards the top.

I think that Arsenals chance to go further in this tournament is to start with a win today. Even though Arsenal has difficulties in the league my guess is that they will succeed in Champions League. That’s have they have been going the last years and they defiantly have enough strong team to beat Roma. I put my bet on the home win here and am hopeful with that.

Lyon vs. Barcelona, away win @ 1.90

Some weeks ago Barcelona was unstoppable in the Spanish League but in the latest rounds they have lost some points to the rivals in the top of the league. But they still have a big lead and don’t have to worry for Real Madrid (yet).

Lyon is a good team and is strong at home. But today they have to tough challenge. One of the best teams in Europe is standing on the other side and even though Barcelona maybe are satisfied with a draw I think they have a god chance to win.

Athletic Madrid vs. Porto, draw @ 3.30

I think that many people think that the Spanish side will take a pretty easy win here, but I have a big respect for Porto. Even though the Portuguese League is way worse then the Spanish Porto always makes god result in European cups.

Athletic hasn’t been going well in the Spanish league and have a tough challenge in this game. Two teams with great offence and maybe lots of goals here, my pick is the draw.

All the odds are picked from Bwin Sports odds

/Best regards Amrish

Thats what this day is called, atleast in Sweden. We have lots of interesting games to look forward for today. Two hot derbys, one in Manchester (City vs United) and the other one in London (Chelsea vs Arsenal). And between these games Tottenham receive Everton at White Heart Lane and finally Portsmouth will play against Blackburn at Fratton Park. I will try to give you my thoughts of these games and some statistics.

Manchester City vs Manchester United, Away win @ 1.90 in odds

This game starts the “Super Sunday” at 14.30 CET.

Manchester City won both games against their rival Manchester United last year and became the only team that beat United twice in Premier League last season. That was really surprisingly for me. Last time City won both games in Premier League against United before last season was –69 / 70.

Even though Manchester United have a few injurys they are way better then City and United have a more options to play with than their opponents. With players like Rooney, Tevez, Berbatov on top, options like Ronaldo, Nani, Carrick, Fletcher, Anderson, Giggs, Park on the midfield and solid defenders as Neville, Rafael, O’Shea, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, Evra. My guess is that if we compare United´s player with Manchester City´s squad maybe two or three players from Citys squad can compete for a starting position in Uniteds team.

I have to say that Manchester United should win this game even though they are playing away,  Specially since United are looking for revenge after the two defeats last year.  The odds that Bwin odds is giving for the away win is 1.90 and thats well worth a shot.

Portsmouth vs Blackburn, Draw @ 3.30 in odds

This game starts at 16:00 CET

Blackburn has played 8 games in a row without winning and their manager Paul Ince is questioned at the moment. Blackburn started this season wery well with 10 points in the first 6 games. But after that the team has collapsed totaly with 3 points in their last 8 games. All the bookmakers, give more chances to Portsmouth. If you plan to place your bets on this game, try to spend some time in odds comparison through oddso, to see what is the best deal for you. Only West Brom are after Blackburn in the league table and if they lose today I think this will be the last game for Ince as manager for Blackburn rovers.

“Pompay” is also a bit disappointing with their start even though they are way better then Blackburn. I thought that this was going to be a big Season for Portsmouth with lots of intetesting players in their sqaud. Just like Blackburn Portsmouth is in a bad period right now and have only won one game of their last 7 (away against Sunderland three games ago).

So this is two teams in desperate need of points and I think that this will end with a draw and 3.30 is the odds Bwin are paying for the draw here.

Tottenham Hotspurs vs FC Everton, home win @ 1.90 in odds

This game starts at 16:00 CET

Tottenham started this season worst of them all and only had two points after 8 games. That was ofcourse a big disappointment for everyone and Tottenham decided to sack their manager Juande Ramos (who came from Sevilla late in last season).

After the change of manager, when Harry Redknapp, took over that position Spurs have started to win both in the Premier League and in the Uefa cup.  They have started to climb in the table and are at the moment on the sixteenth position. Tottenham have 3 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 games things are looking brighter.

Even their opponent Everton has 3 wins and 1 draw in their last 5 but the last lose against Wigan was a bit disappointing. Wigan was the better side in that game and if Everontons Golie, Tim Howard, hadn´t made a couple of magic saves Wigan could have won with more then 1-0.

Even though I respect Everton I think that Tottenham will win this game with a oddgoal in a tough game. 1.90 is the odds and thats just marginal p(l)ayable.

FC Chelsea vs FC Arsenal, home win @ 1.75 in odds

This game starts at 17:00 CET

And here is the second great big game on this “Super Sunday”.

Chelsea has alredy played against Liverpool and Manchester United here at Stamford Brigde and only taken 1 point in these two games against 2/3 biggest rivals. In my world Chelsea are better then Arsenal and home at Stamford Brigde hey normaly win majority of their games.

Things aren´t perfect in Arsenal nowdays with both injurys and other problems (Gallas). That makes the preparations for this game harder for Manager Arsene Wenger. At the same time I respect that Arsenal coult beat Man United at home.

Another thing that speaks for Chelsea is that in the last years they have had easier in their homegames with Arsenal and have 2 wins and 1 draw in their last 3 meatings here at Stamford Brigde. I think that the machine Chelseas will beat Arsenals beauty and I bet home-win.
All odds from Bwin sportsbetting.

Good Luck /Amrish