English Football Predictions – FA Cup Semi-Finals
The FA Cup semi-finals take centre stage this weekend with Wigan hoping to reach their first ever major final. Premier League heavyweights Chelsea and Manchester City come to blows on Sunday, as the 142nd edition of the FA Cup reaches its conclusion.
Sportingly Better picks out the best free football tips from both FA Cup semi-finals this weekend.
FA Cup Betting Tips
Millwall (4.50) v Wigan (1.85); Draw (3.80)
Wigan’s emphatic 3-0 win at Everton in the last round set up a trip to Wembley, as Maynor Figueroa, Callum McManaman and Jordi Gomez scored a devastating burst of goals in less than four minutes of football in the first half.
Only fellow semi-finalists Chelsea and Manchester City have scored more goals than Wigan (8) in the FA Cup this season, but the Latics‘ route to the last four has been relatively easy with Huddersfield and Macclesfield the opponents in the previous rounds.
Wigan have no new injury concerns going into the match with Ivan Ramis and Ryo Miyachi still sidelined with long-term injuries. Midfielders Jordi Gomez and James McCarthy are both crucially available for Roberto Martinez, who will look to impose their passing style of football on the game.
Wigan have been winning at both half time and full time in their last four matches in the FA Cup. Back Wigan HT/FT at 2.88.
Opponents Millwall are struggling at the wrong end of the table in the Championship and the Lions have been notably short of goals since Chris Wood left the club in January.
Kenny Jackett put his side’s midweek defeat to Sheffield Wednesday down to a lack of cutting edge and with Jermaine Easter ineligible for the tie, Andy Keogh looks set to partner Rob Hulse in attack.
Millwall have scored two or more goals in just three of their last 15 games in the Championship and the Lion’s best chance of success will be by working a set-piece with Rob Hulse and Danny Shittu in the side.
Millwall have won just one of their last 13 clashes against top-flight opposition in the FA Cup and the Championship strugglers could find themselves outplayed and outscored by in-form Wigan on Saturday.
Recommended Bets
Wigan to win @1.85
Chelsea (3.30) v Manchester City (2.30); Draw (3.50)
Demba Ba’s well taken goal two weeks ago proved enough to catapult the Blues into the semi-finals, as Chelsea’s love affair with the FA Cup continued.
The London side have won 23 of their last 28 games in the FA Cup, with the club going on to lift the trophy on no less than four occasions over the last six years.
Chelsea’s Europa League display on Thursday was less than convincing, with manager Rafael Benitez unhappy with his side’s defensive performance, but the Blues did rest Juan Mata, Oscar, Eden Hazard and John Obi Mikel with this match in-mind.
Opponents Manchester City hit Barnsley for five goals in the last round, but the reigning Premier League champions will face a much sterner test against the current FA Cup holders on Sunday.
Carlos Tevez has scored five goals in four FA Cup matches for Manchester City this season, including a hat-trick against Barnsley in the last round. Back Tevez to score any time at 2.75.
Manchester City have yet to concede a goal in this season’s FA Cup and the Citizens resolute back-line will have to be on their guard against Chelsea’s talented forward line.
David Silva remains Roberto Mancini’s only significant concern going into the match, but Sunday’s game at Wembley will hold huge importance for Mancini after his side once again fell short in Europe.
Chelsea have won all seven FA Cup games that they have played at the new Wembley Stadium, but the club’s abject defensive display against Rubin Kazan, could see Manchester City bucking that trend and progressing into the FA Cup final on Sunday.
Recommended Bets
Manchester City to qualify for the FA Cup Final @1.72
Author Credit: Jonathan Day
Image Credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/illarterate/
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