FA Cup Betting: Tottenham v Leeds

FA Cup / Mike Norman / 22 January 2010 / Leave a Comment

Leeds United's Jermaine Beckford will be aiming to do to Harry Redknapp's Spurs side what he did to Manchester United in round three

Best Bet: Back Tottenham To Score in Both Halves at around [2.0] (currently available at [1.85])

Also: Back Tottenham/Tottenham at [1.95] in Half Time/Full Time market; Back Any Unquoted at [4.6] in Correct Score market

After a disappointing week in the Premier League, Tottenham will be looking to get back to winning ways by disposing of Leeds United, conquerors of Manchester United in round three. "Mystical" Mike Norman previews the game.

I know I'm opening myself up for a lot of criticism in labeling a side sitting fourth in the Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur - as inconsistent, but that's exactly how their season is shaping up.

A run of four straight victories in August was followed by two defeats. Another mini-run then followed before back-to-back defeats to Stoke and Arsenal. Seven points out of nine was then banked before a draw and a loss to Everton and Wolves respectively. And in recent weeks it's been another good run of form before Spurs disappointingly failed to beat Hull at home and then lost to Liverpool in midweek.

Followers of trends then will have no problem spotting that Harry Redknapp's side appear to be able to muster a short burst of good form before having an off week, which - considering the seven days Spurs have just had - is bad news for Leeds United when they visit White Hart Lane in the FA Cup on Saturday evening.

Tottenham can be backed at [1.35] in the Match Odds market with the League One outfit available at [9.8]; The Draw is on offer at [5.9].

I don't see any outcome other than a home victory despite Leeds' heroics in round three. First, I don't envisage Redknapp - unlike Sir Alex Ferguson - fielding anything other than a full strength side, and secondly, Spurs have been rampant in cup competitions already this season against lesser opposition, scoring 14 goals in just three encounters against Championship sides Doncaster, Preston and Peterborough.

Tottenham led at half time in all three of the above mentioned cup ties so I recommend backing Tottenham/Tottenham at [1.95] in the Half Time/Full Time market. If you believe Spurs will win but United's resistance will last a little longer then you can back Draw/Tottenham at [5.0].

Simon Grayson's side are still sitting pretty at the top of League One but their form has dipped of late, which is not unusual for a lower-league side involved in FA Cup competition. In Jermaine Beckford they have a striker who has the potential to play at a much higher level, and far more important for this game, a player that will be desperate to put in a good performance in front of the watching nation.

Beckford is unquestionably Leeds' best chance of causing a 'Manchester United' like upset but I don't see it happening this time. If you think otherwise then consider backing Beckford at around [14.0] in the First Goalscorer market or at [5.0] in the To Score (at anytime) market.

The Correct Score market isn't of massive interest to me this time but I can see Spurs scoring at least two or three so perhaps 2-0 ([7.6]) and 3-0 ([10.5]) will be popular amongst Betfairians. However, if I were to have a bet in this market then I'm a big fan of the Any Unquoted score option. It's available to back at [4.6] this time and I think that's about right. Remember, to collect here you need any team to score at least four goals.

My final bit of advice is my best bet of the game, and it's to back the Yes option in the Tottenham To Score in Both Halves market. It's available to back at just [1.85] as I write, but if you leave a request up I have a feeling you will get matched higher when more liquidity appears.

*The game is live on ITV1 this Saturday, kick-off 5:15pm