Five FA Cup Final Man City vs Stoke trends
Do FA Cup Finals tend to be open affairs? Do the team that score first usually get their hands on the trophy? We've found out on the key trends for the big match at Wembley to try to help you make money...
Goals come at a premium...
FA Cup Final day is one of the most eagerly anticipated of the year but, with the exception of West Ham versus Liverpool in 2005-06, it's rare for it to provide the best match. Odds of [1.8] on under 2.5 goals appear hugely generous given that 12 of the last 16 finals have featured two goals or fewer.
...and tend to only come in one direction
In addition to the goal count usually being low in the Wembley showpiece, only one goalkeeper winds up picking the ball out of his net on most occasions too, as both teams have struck in just 15 of the last 17 finals. Manchester City and Stoke both scoring on Saturday can be opposed at [1.88].
A first-half deadlock breaker is essential
Three of the last nine finals have been goalless at the break ([2.72]) and two of those have ended 0-0 ([10.5]), so remember that in-play punters! In five of those ties, the opener came in the ten minutes prior to the half-time whistle. It's [7.2] that the first goal arrives between the 31st and 40th minute and [8.8] that it is scored in the following ten minutes.
Cup final comebacks are a rarity
Another trend that is worth noting if you intend to bet in-play on this year's encounter is that just three of the aforementioned 18 finals saw the side that went 1-0 up fail to get their hands on the trophy, with the sole comebacks in that period being produced by Liverpool (twice) and Chelsea.
The favourites always win
All seven FA Cup Finals this century in which there has been a clear favourite (a Big Four club facing a team outside that group or a Premier League side facing lower league opposition), the frontrunners have ended up lifting the cup, delivering in 90 minutes six times ([1.92]) and to nil ([2.92]) five times.
What bets are you planning for the big game? Share them in the space below...
Published: 13 May 2011
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