Tempting odds for cup favourites Man Utd
Manchester United's chances of ending a seven-year wait for their 12th FA Cup success are looking good after Michael Owen and Javier Hernandez's goals ensured that they came from behind to avoid an upset away to League One promotion chasers Southampton.
The Red Devils are [3.75] favourites to claim the trophy and their prospects of making it into the quarter-finals for the fourth time in five seasons are promising after being handed a home tie in the fifth round against the lowest ranked survivors in the competition, non-league side Crawley Town.
Steve Evans' fifth-tier team, who are hoping to make it into the Football League for the first time, share a nickname with the Premier League leaders but won't be expected to reach the final eight despite already eliminating Swindon, Derby and Torquay to get this far. They are available at the maximum [1000.0] to go all the way.
Another club whose bid to lift the FA Cup appears in a far healthier condition than it did on Friday are the holders Chelsea. The Blues are battling to become the first side since Blackburn in the 19th century to win it three years in a row and their price is [6.0] after drawing at Everton.
Chelsea were in danger of an early exit at Goodison Park yet fought back from a goal down to force the Toffees back to Stamford Bridge, where they will host Reading if they progress in that replay.
Arsenal are [5.0] second favourites even though they again failed to impress against lower-league opposition, leaving it late to get past Huddersfield 2-1. They face another League One club next, making the short trip to Leyton Orient ([1000.0]) to face Norwich and Swansea's conquerors.
Manchester City have moved down in the pecking order after being taken to a replay for the second round in a row following a 1-1 draw at Notts County. They would be favourites to see off the Magpies and then Aston Villa at Eastlands however so odds of [7.2] are still fairly attractive.
Will there be surprise winners? Fulham are next in the betting at [23.0]. One shrewd Betfair punter tipped them at [46.0] before dismantling Tottenham 4-0.
Published: 1 Feb 2011
Leave a comment