Villa Battle Liverpool For FA Cup Final Place

Wembley Stadium will host the second FA Cup semi-final in as many days today as Aston Villa take on fellow Premier League side Liverpool. The winners of this contest will go on to face Arsenal who needed extra time to put Championship club Reading to the sword, the Royals going down by two goals to one.

Aston Villa currently find themselves in 15th position in the Premier League, four points clear of the relegation zone but with five games remaining. Liverpool, on the other hand, could scramble into the Champions League places for the second consecutive season before May is out. They currently sit in fifth, also four points from their target position.

The two sides have just met the once this season, this in a January Premier League fixture at Villa Park. It was the visitors who came away with the win on this occasion, managing to bag two goals without reply. The first came from Fabio Borini in the 23rd minute before Rickie Lambert put the game out of the Villans` reach 10 minutes from time. The hosts were still under the stewardship of former manager Paul Lambert, he being replaced by Tim Sherwood earlier this year.

Most bookmakers have the best price of 7/1 on Liverpool recording another 2-0 victory over Villa this afternoon whilst 17/10 (Betvictor, Coral) says that the Reds will be able to win by any number of goals to nil. Borini is a 15/2 (boylesports, william hill) chance to hit the first goal of the match with betway`s 11/4, the best price on there being a two goal deficit between the two sides.

Indeed Liverpool`s superior league position and previous good form over Sherwood`s side means that they are the favourites to progress through to the final of the competition. Betbright have the best price of 5/8 on this happening. Villa are a 21/4 shout with Bwin to see off Liverpool today whilst a draw can be backed at 16/5 with bet365 and a number of other bookmakers.

Should the match end tied after 90 minutes, the two clubs will then play 30 minutes of extra time before, should they need to, contesting penalties. Betbright have 2/9 on extra time not being necessary with 13/5 on it indeed coming into play. With regards to spot kicks, the same bookie has 1/14 on them not being needed with 29/5 on the two teams contesting them.

Both Betvictor and Spreadex have the best price on Liverpool winning in extra time, that being 7/1. Alternatively, both Betvictor and william hill have 20/1 on Villa taking the match in extra time.

Fancy Brendan Rodgers` side on penalties? They can be picked up at 16/1 (Betvictor) to progress thanks to spot kicks with Aston Villa the same best price with the same bookie.

Despite entering the pot at the third round stage, Liverpool have played six FA Cup matches this season after failing to get the better of Championship sides Blackburn Rovers and Bolton Wanderers at the first time of asking. All the matches that the Merseyside club have won in the FA Cup this season have been taken with a one goal winning margin. Three of these four wins shared the same score - 2-1.

Whilst ladbrokes have 13/5 on Liverpool winning by one goal this afternoon, Betvictor`s 8/1 says that they will pick up the win by two goals to one.

Their East Midlands opponents have scored exactly two goals in all of their last three FA Cup encounters. Betvictor`s 5/1 is the best price on them scoring exactly two goals again this afternoon.

Go To bet365

#Ad

19/04/2015     © Frixo 2024