Lillywhites value to get something from trip to Forest

Friday night is not usually a busy night for English football action though three big games are taking place that evening (24th) with two in the FA Cup and high-flying Brentford in League One action. Here is our guide to the best of the bets from these games.

Arsenal take on Coventry in the live FA Cup game from the Emirates. It is a puzzling, uninspired selection from BT SPORT (19:45) for a fixture that you suspect will see the Gunners reserve team still have too much talent for the League One side. The North London team are as short 1/8 (william hill) for the victory as they look to extend the recent record between these sides which has seen Arsenal win each of the last four which includes a meeting between these sides in the League Cup in 2012 which they won 6-1. The Sky Blues are in great form with just one defeat from their last 11 competitive matches and they are 28/1 (BETVICTOR) to hand Arsenal a shock defeat and 10/1 with the same firm to gain a money spinning replay.

The best bet in this game might come in the goalscorer markets where I like the look of Tomas Rosicky. The Czech Republic player is likely to feature if Ozil, as expected, is rested. Odds of 4/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred) on him to get among the goals look decent so I would recommend this as the way to play it in a tricky looking fixture to get an angle on.

Also in the FA Cup that evening although not on television is the battle between Nottingham Forest and Preston. The Championship side are the 8/11 (STAN JAMES) favourites for the game at the City Ground. Forest are now ten games unbeaten in all games and have won each of their last four games at home, netting nine in their last two.

Preston though are no mugs and have lost just two of their last 19 games in all competitions. You have to think a Cup run is not a priority for Billy Davies and Forest as they have much more important aims at hand in securing promotion to the Premier League. North End are also looking for promotion though finances dictate Simon Grayson will have to take the competition seriously. The East Midlands side have gone out at this stage (the fourth round) on five of the last six times they have reached the last 32. The team from Lancashire saw off Championship side Ipswich in the last round after gaining a draw at Portman Road and subsequently winning the replay at their own ground. The Lillywhites then offer some appeal at 5/4 (bet365) alongside the draw in the double chance market.

One final game in action on Friday evening comes from League One where Brentford take on Gillingham at Griffin Park. The Bees can go back top of the table here if they pick up all three points. A draw with Walsall last time out allowed Orient to go back to the summit though Brentford are still unbeaten in their last 15 games in the league, winning 13 of these. At home they have won their last nine in all competitions and I can not see past them at odds of 2/5 (GENERAL) against a Gillingham side who have lost nine of 13 away games this season.

The price itself does not inspire a bet though so I would look to enhance it by taking the Bees to be ahead at half time and then again when the final whistle goes. This would have paid in six of the last eight Brentford home games while the Gills have shipped a first half goal in four of their last six away. Take the 21/20 (888 SPORT/unibet/WINNER) are offering.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Preston/draw double chance v Forest, 5/4 (bet365)
SILVER: Brentford HT/Brentford FT, 21/20 (888 SPORT/unibet/WINNER)
BRONZE: Tomas Rosicky to score anytime v Coventry, 4/1 (TOTESPORT/betfred)

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24/01/2014     © Frixo 2026