FA Cup / Richard Walker / 18 April 2009 / Leave a comment

Manchester United might have put their recent woes behind them but David Moyse's ability to draw every ounce of courage, commitment and quality out of his side should not be under-estimated, says Richard Walker. Best Bet: Lay Everton @ [5.5].

It will test your resolve and Betfair principles to do so, let alone your bank, but Laying Everton to a [5.6] liability is, in my humble opinion, by far the most sensible thing you could do ahead of Sunday's FA Cup semi-final.

Back Manchester United at [1.79]? Well, yes you could but it's my respect for the ability of David Moyes to crowbar every last ounce of courage, commitment and quality out of his blue-clad troops that prevents me from thinking that The Draw - [3.8] to back - doesn't have at least a sporting chance of being the 90-minute outcome.

That said, I do sense that Everton are missing Mikel Arteta in midfield, more than say Man United - with their bigger pool of resources - are missing Owen Hargreaves, by way of comparison. I'd say that abesentees like Arteta and Yakubu are far more painful for Everton than their equivalent sorts for the Red Devils.

Moyes will probably have Louis Saha on the bench after a virus while striker Jo is cup-tied. Joseph Yobo and James Vaughan are back from injury to boost the Toffees' matchday squad. One of Gary Neville or Rafael will be fit enough to challenge for the right-back berth for Sir Alex Ferguson's side which appears largely impervious to any damage that injuries might cause other Premier League big-hitters.

In a battle of wits between Scottish boss and Scottish boss, there's massive mutual respect. I get the impression Ferguson thinks Moyes is probably the best top-flight manager other than himself. Moyes, meanwhile, is always respectful of Sir Alex's success, but this week has been talking bullishly about his players making themselves "the heroes of today". It's 1995 since Everton won anything - and that was the FA Cup...against Man United!

Although this isn't the final, it's at Wembley and will feel like that to the Blues. That's why I give them a chance of forcing extra-time. Back both Under 2.5 goals and The Draw (HT) to supplement that theory. They'll give nothing away, will sit in and hope for set-piece specialists Leighton Baines and Tim Cahill to deliver. Unders is [1.8] - Overs a [2.22] chance - while the half-time level pegging rates a [2.2] shot - one of my best bets of the tie.

Cup ties are a chance to indulge in some of the markets you might not usually touch. When I saw Mike Riley was refereeing this one, my eyes lit up. He's quite a good whistle-blower and he's brave enough to produce two yellows or a straight red with little regard for the pomp and circumstance of the occasion. Follow Riley's appointment by saying 'Yes' to a Sending-Off at [3.85].

While line-ups in earlier rounds might have had a more experimental feel about them, Fergie will deliver pretty much his strongest outfield line-up - probably with Ben Foster in goal behind them. On that basis, and it goes a little against recent trends, I'd be up for Laying those who want to back against a United Clean Sheet. You'd be liable to [1.78] by doing that, or you could choose to back 'Yes' if you're more the punter type; [2.26] the odds of reward. All 90-minute stuff this, remember.

Depending on how successful Everton's containing game is (would David Moyes really play 4-4-2 and truly go for it?), Correct Scores could take you just about anywhere if United break through early, and especially if the Merseysiders have the audacity to take the lead! I'll be siding with 0-0, [10.5] to back, while among other options are United 2-1 [9.8], Everton 1-0 [15.0], 2-2 [20.0] and Any Unquoted at [12.5].

Goal-getting wise, I wrongly deserted Tim Cahill for Everton's last match but I can't back him with too much confidence here. I'd sooner lay someone out of form, such as Dimitar Berbatov. He'll be around the [3.5] mark in the To Score market and I reckon you may well end up banking some other Betfairians' money if you play against him.

Cahill is [4.6] to back in the same section and I wouldn't put you off, particularly if you can see the Toffees taking the lead. Cristiano Ronaldo is the unsurprising favourite in both the To Score and First Goalscorer sections, [6.0] to back in the latter. Sure he might do it - but you get an unlikely hero in these games now and then. Nemanja Vidic - [24.0] for First Goalscorer - is the sort of flight of fancy belonging to the magic of the FA Cup.

Just how magical Everton fans rate this competition will depend on what happens in front of the ITV cameras. Let's hope they don't miss another Toffees' winner!