FA Cup Quarter Final Betting Update

The FA Cup may not have the same kind of appeal that it used to in these days of mega rich clubs battling for lucrative Champions League glory.

But we have seen some fascinating ties and exhilarating games this season that now leave us with eight clubs still in with a chance of lifting the famous old trophy in May. There were not many upsets in the fourth round.

Lower league sides Newport County and Doncaster Rovers succumbed to the Premier League might of Manchester City and Crystal Palace. But we do have two Championship clubs left in the competition in the form of Swansea City and Millwall.

With so many of the big boys already knocked out of the competition many are hoping for a smaller club to be victorious this year – but who’s name seems to be on the cup?

I’m going to take a look at the quarter final draw and the latest FA Cup odds to see where the interest lies from a betting perspective.

The FA Cup Quarter Final Draw

The Manchester clubs were once again kept apart so a dream final for many is still possible. The semi finals could now be all-Premier League affairs but Swansea and Millwall would definitely have something to say about that.

• Swansea City vs Manchester City
• Watford vs Crystal Palace
• Wolves vs Manchester United
• Millwall vs Brighton

Watford vs Crystal Palace is an intriguing tie that may go under the radar given the other three fixtures.

Both clubs will relish the chance to not only get closer to lifting some silverware – but to qualify for Europe as well. They have both experienced rollercoaster seasons but are capable of playing some very attractive football.

Swansea become the second Welsh club in successive rounds to host Manchester City while Brighton won’t be relishing a trip to south London to face Millwall.

Latest FA Cup Odds

With the quarter final draw now settled let’s take a look at the latest outright winner prices at Betway.

Manchester City continues to be favorites for the cup, with the bookmakers obviously not thinking that Swansea can do too much to stop them – even at home.

Manchester United’s odds have shortened slightly, but a tricky away tie at a very impressive Wolves means that Betway still offer an attractive price for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer leading his side to glory.

Further down the list, Millwall are fancied a little more than their Championship rivals and Wolves, Palace and Watford are all given roughly the same chance as each other of lifting the cup at Wembley.

Expect odds to narrow for any of these three if they get through to the semi finals.

My Pick: Manchester United to Win the FA Cup 4.50

Place Your Bet Here

I’ve gone for United ever since the third round and do not feel like changing now. Thanks to some tricky looking away draws the odds for the Red Devils have not shortened as much as Manchester City’s and still represent good value. Beating Wolves at Molineux is a tough ask but I fancy United to have the attacking talent and power to see them through to the next round – and ultimately the FA Cup final.

FA Cup Quarter Final Ties

Swansea City vs Manchester City

It just shows how little chance the bookmakers give Swansea of progressing to the semi final that the Welsh club attracts a price of 15.00 to beat what will probably be a second string City side at their own ground. But those odds are justified.

Even Pep Guardiola’s back up players are international stars – and when you consider the club’s top goal scorer in the competition isn’t Sergio Aguero or Gabriel Jesus, but Phil Foden you can see why City are still expected to ease through to the final four.

Swansea will fancy its chances though – especially if young sensation Dan James plays like he did in the previous round. The Wales international looked like he was going to Leeds in the January transfer window and although that move fell through it is unlikely that he will still be at the Liberty Stadium at the start of next season.

Manchester City should be able to make it through to the semi finals without too much trouble – but those short odds are not anything to get excited about.

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Watford vs Crystal Palace

The bookmakers just cannot separate these two and it is easy to see why. Watford are comfortably cocooned in mid table of the Premier League – capable of thrashing sides like Cardiff one week before being demolished by Liverpool the week after.

The cup should be manager Javi Gracia’s main priority now considering that his side’s top flight safety status has been secured for another season. But Crystal Palace is having a resurgence of sorts, with the addition of striker Michy Batshuayi in January looking like a masterstroke.

Roy Hodgson would probably consider his side’s position in the table being too close to the relegation spots for his liking but Palace’s inconsistency has been its problem all season – although results have improved in the last month or so.

The price for an away win is not as long as I would have hoped so I think that the draw holds the most value here.

Place Your Bet Here

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Wolves vs Manchester United

Wolves fans in particular will like the look of those odds for a home win – and justifiably so. Nuno Espirito Santo’s men have been by far the most impressive of the promoted sides in the Premier League this season and may well feel that an FA Cup triumph – 59 years after the last time they lifted the trophy – would be an ideal way to cement their status back in the big time.

But Manchester United has performed like a completely different team since Jose Mourinho made way for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Norwegian has been breaking all kinds of club records and has just become the first United manager to win eight consecutive games away from home.

The draw seems to be the most interesting bet but I can’t see this ending all square so would go with United to win – and that wager to bring in more modest returns.

Place Your Bet Here

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Millwall vs Brighton

Millwall and its head coach Neil Harris really enjoy this competition. The club has made it to the both the quarter final and the semi final in the last six seasons – and a home draw against one of the weaker Premier League sides left in the FA Cup will have been just what the Lions would have wanted.

Brighton is another club with Premier League survival further up its list of priorities and this tie has cup upset written all over it for me. The intimidating home crowd will surely play a part and, although Millwall have league problems of their own to worry about, I feel that the home side will want this more than the Premier League side.

My Top Quarter Final Pick

With all four ties throwing up some intriguing narratives I feel the most attractive odds lie in the Millwall vs Brighton game.

If Brighton minds are elsewhere then I can see Millwall’s desire for further cup glory taking them through to another Wembley semi final – and a price of 3.75 looks very good.

My Pick: Millwall to beat Brighton 3.75

Place Your Bet Here

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Final Words

As we get to the final eight clubs we are likely to see a renewed intensity in some of the players, realizing that they are only one step away from a day out at Wembley – and only two from the final itself.

Much is said about Premier League footballers and their attitude to what some consider the ‘minor’ competitions – but at the quarter final stage an FA Cup winner’s medal is nearly in sight and everything takes on far more importance.

This promises to be another fascinating weekend of cup football – enjoy the games!