We are getting into the thick of things in the FA Cup now. The Premier League teams entered the competition last round, and seven of those teams have already been eliminated from the tournament. Liverpool was the big name eliminated three weeks ago, and the EPL leaders will no longer be able to win a domestic double after the defeat. The draw was kind to many of the lower-tier teams left. Eight EPL teams will be squaring off against each other, ensuring that the Round of 16 will have at least seven second-tier or lower teams.
FA Cup Fourth Round Betting Odds at BookMaker.eu
Arsenal +145
Manchester United +156
Draw +243
Over/Under 3
This will be the most highly anticipated game of the weekend. Arsenal and Manchester United have an intense rivalry that goes back well before Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger were patrolling the sidelines for these historic clubs, and both managers know that a win would serve them well. Unai Emery’s chances of taking Arsenal to the Champions League are looking a bit faint, while Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is out to take over Manchester United on a permanent basis.
These teams met in Old Trafford almost two months ago, and they played a thriller that was almost level the whole way. Arsenal pulled ahead twice, but United were able to equalize in just a few minutes time both times and the final was a 2-2 draw.
United have looked much better under Solskjaer than they did under Jose Mourinho, so many are calling for them to find a way to advance here. They may be without some of their key players though due to injury.
Shrewsbury Town +478
Wolverhampton Wanderers -206
Draw +291
Over/Under 2.5
The up and down nature of Wolves all season long makes me think that Shrewsbury has a real chance here. Wolves have continually played to the level of their opponents, as seen by wins over Chelsea and Liverpool and losses to clubs much further down the Premier League table.
Shrewsbury raised some eyebrows after beating Stoke City on the road last week, and a similar performance at home this week could lead to another upset. They aren’t tearing up League One by any stretch, but they have been solid in defense.
Barnet +465
Brentford -214
Draw +280
Over/Under 2.5
After Woking were brushed aside by Watford last weekend, Barnet are the only non-league side left in the competition. Fifth-tier Barnet went on the road to knock out Sheffield United on the strength of tenacious defending, and now they get to host second-tier Brentford in London on Monday.
Brentford weren’t too great in their win over Oxford United last week, and they are currently in 17th place in the Championship, so Barnet stand a decent chance. Give Brentford credit though, because they have been in good form with results in each of their last seven matches in all competitions.
Crystal Palace +167
Tottenham Hotspur +146
Draw +213
Over/Under 2.5
This will be a popular upset pick. Crystal Palace have not been a pushover this year, and the injury situation at Tottenham is dire. Harry Kane and Dele Alli will be sidelined for at least another few weeks due to injury, and with Son Heung-Min at the Asian Cup and Lucas Moura an injury concern, it’s all hands on deck.
The question will be how much Mauricio Pochettino decides to play his starters with the second leg of the Carabao Cup semifinals set for Thursday and the rigors of both the Premier League and Champions League looming large over the next few weeks. It seems likely that he will use this time to rest some of his stars, and that will give Crystal Palace a chance of pulling off the upset. When these teams played back in mid-November, Palace came close to grabbing a result, so they have to be feeling confident.
English FA Cup Odds
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