Have a loss-proof £25 bet on Birmingham
FA Cup quarter-final weekend gets underway with Birmingham, the only team in England yet to have been eliminated from a cup competition this season, facing a Bolton side fighting for a top-six finish in the Premier League, and incredibly the knockout tournament specialists are [3.15] outsiders.
Thanks to our special offer for those opening new Betfair accounts, you can bet up to £25 on this match and have your stake refunded if your punt proves unsuccessful.
It's true that while the idea of St Andrew's being one of the toughest grounds to visit in the country persists, it is nowadays something of a myth, given that their home points average is the fourth-worst in the top-flight, with Newcastle and West Brom both recently collecting three points there.
However, their results there in high-profile games have still been strong, with Chelsea, Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham and Liverpool failing to beat them there and all seven of their cup encounters in front of their fans ending successfully, six courtesy of 90-minute victories.
Bolton's away record also has to concern Owen Coyle ahead of his attempt to return to the ground where he gained promotion through the Championship play-offs as Burnley boss. Their cup triumphs at Wigan and Fulham are two of only three that they've achieved in their last 16 outings on the road.
And while the Trotters' FA Cup progress has been impressive given that they are yet to concede a goal and have seen off two Premier League clubs, Coyle had an even more incredible run in the Carling Cup two years ago with Burnley, only for the Clarets to bow out one round from Wembley.
If you do think the former St Johnstone manager can avoid similar heartache then you can have a risk-free bet on them instead at [2.56]. Birmingham's cup ties have been surprisingly high scoring but with Bolton's six featuring just six goals, under 2.5 goals has to be expected at [1.75].
Birmingham v Bolton
Kick-off: 12.45pm (Saturday)
Live on ESPN
Think the match is destined to go to a replay? The draw is [3.35]...
Published: 11 Mar 2011
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