FA Cup Semi Finals Preview

Wigan will become the 78th team team to play in the FA Cup semi-finals when they take on Millwall on Saturday (no prizes for naming them all). Here is our guide to the best of the bets from the FA Cup this weekend.

Saturday evening sees Millwall take on Wigan in the first of the semi-finals with the game scheduled to begin at 1715. This game is being held at the neutral venue of Wembley so away form is quite important to look at. The Lions have the fifth best away record in the Championship and have lost just one of their last nine FA Cup away games. Kenny Jackett has his side organised and difficult to break down and they have conceded just one goal in the competition this season. In addition they carry a goal threat from set pieces that Wigan will have to look out for. It is 7/2 (general) that Millwall in 90 minutes or 11/5 (betway) that they reach the final by any means. Wigan will also enter the game in good spirits after a run of form that has seen them unbeaten in their last four in all competitions. The Latics are deserved favourites as they are an established Premier League side while Millwall are a mid-level Championship team. The weight of expectation will be on Wigan which is a rare thing for them and Martinez will know that the number one priority still remains Premier League survival. At odds of 20/23 (BetVictor) Wigan do not offer any betting appeal. I really like the idea of taking on goals in this game as stated before Millwall will look to keep things super tight while 17 of the last 32 FA Cup semi-finals have seen no more than one goal in the game. Under 2.5 goals can be backed at a very reasonable 10/11 (Coral) while under 1.5 goals might be also worth a little interest at 11/4 (boylesports/Coral).

The second semi-final takes place on Sunday (16.00) and looks a tasty affair between Chelsea and Man City. City are the 7/5 (Stan James/888 Sport) favourites for the game and I like the look of this price to see off a Chelsea side who are on course to play their sixth game since March 30th. City will be the fresher side and also crucially the better side as they sit seven points ahead of them in the league. Odds of 7/5 then seem good especially when you throw in the fact that this is all City have to play for now. Chelsea still have the distractions of the Europa League and a winnable semi-final against Basel. While the players know of the importance of the FA Cup I think Rafa Benitez will make the other trophy his priority. The Spaniard knows a Europa League win would look appealing on his CV for the summer when he becomes a free agent. The risk is the draw as both sides will not give much away though I am going to back City to get the job done in 90 minutes. A Chelsea win in 90 minutes for those who disagree is 12/5 (BetVictor) while the draw is available at 5/2 (bet365/BetVictor).

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Man City to beat Chelsea in 90 minutes, 7/5 (Stan James/888 Sport)
SILVER: Under 2.5 goals between Millwall and Wigan, 10/11 (Coral)
BRONZE: Under 1.5 goals between Millwall and Wigan, 11/4 (boylesports/Coral)

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13/04/2013     © Frixo 2024