With the EPL season drawing to a close, so to does the FA Cup tournament. With just four teams left, it’s one of the first years in recent history where we have four ‘big six’ teams left to play off for the cup. We take a look at the two matchups and give our betting tips below.
FA Cup Semi Finals Betting Tips
Chelsea vs Tottenham (Sunday 2.15am AEST)
The two most dominant English teams of the 2016/17 season will square off here as Chelsea play Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday morning. Chelsea looked to have ran away with the domestic earlier in the competition, however, a current seven game win streak to the Hotspurs has seen them surge back into contention and now sit just four points behind the Blues.
The two teams have contrasting history in the Semi Finals of the FA Cup. Chelsea has won four of their last five ties while Tottenham has lost each of it’s last six attempts at punching a ticket in the big dance. In fact, the last time these two teams met was in a semi final, where Chelsea came out victorious with a 5-1 score line.
All signs point to Chelsea here, but Tottenham’s form is undeniable at the moment. The Spurs defeated Chelsea in the domestic competition back in January but that game was played at White Heart Lane, where Tottenham hasn’t lost all season. It’s a different story at Wembley. Really tough game to pick a winner, so we’ll look elsewhere for value. With both teams being so defensive minded, we like the unders in regulation here.
TIP: Total Goals UNDER 2.5 – $1.70 at Unibet
Arsenal vs Manchester City (Monday 12am AEST)
Both teams come into this game with a storied FA Cup history. Arsenal have made the semi final more than any other team with a ridiculous 28 appearances in the final four. They are also joint leaders in trophy wins, tied with Manchester United for a whopping 12 times. Their domestic form this season, particularly after Christmas, hasn’t been as impressive though. With just four wins from their last ten games including disappointing losses to the likes of Crystal Palace, West Brom and Watford, it doesn’t inspire great confidence ahead of the clash with the Citizens.
Manchester City also have an excellent semi finals record, as they have advanced to the final in their last eight attempts at this stage. The last time they lost a semi final, in fact, was to Arsenal in 1932. Manchester City have found some form late in the EPL Season, winning their last two games and losing just one of their last 10. They are currently in a battle for fourth place with their cross town rivals so some of their focus could be on the EPL.
Another really tough game to pick here. Arsenal should have the majority of the crowd support, with the game being played at Wembley, but Manchester City definitely have form on their side. We like the Citizens to make it nine in a row here.
TIP: Manchester City to win - $1.83 at Sportsbet
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