Black Cats to taste victory with second bite of cherry
SUNDERLAND vs ARSENAL
TOMORROW – 5.15PM ITV 1
HAVING watched Arsenal’s disastrous trip to the San Siro on Wednesday, Sunderland might be licking their lips in anticipation of progressing to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup.
Arsenal were abject against AC Milan in their midweek Champions League clash, the 4-0 result becoming Arsene Wenger’s worst ever European defeat. Fancy backing Arsenal to win that tournament at around 300/1? I didn’t think so.
Sunderland host the Gunners for the second consecutive weekend and we suggested backing a home win in last week’s betting preview. Although the Black Cats lost, it required a heroic last minute winner from Thierry Henry for the visitors to seal the points and a 2-1 win. Factor in this time that there’s no Henry, who bid a not-so-fairytale goodbye to Arsenal fans on Wednesday, and that his former teammates are likely to be tired and dejected after their return from Italy.
Sunderland will be better rested, and even if the Gunners had been on their way to the Stadium of Light on the back of beating AC Milan I’d have expected them to struggle. I cannot see a reason not to back the hosts again, this time at 2/1 with bet broker Bet Butler, who not only guarantee your bet is placed at the best odds available, but are also offering a new account offer of a free £25 bet.
Another reason to favour Sunderland is their opponents’ leaky defence. An injury picked up by centre-back Laurent Koscielny in the week only adds to Wenger’s worries. Of their five away fixtures in all competitions since the turn of the year, the Gunners have lost three. The two other results were last weekend’s narrow win and a goalless draw against Bolton — hardly anything to get excited about. In those five matches, Arsenal conceded 10 goals.
Since Martin O’Neill took the reins at Sunderland, not until the Arsenal match had his side conceded more than a single goal at the Stadium of Light. In seven home games in that time, they have kept three clean sheets. That’s not to say the hosts will be able to keep Arsenal out — you can never count on that when Robin van Persie is on the pitch — but it does suggest selling Arsenal’s supremacy at 0.15 with Sporting Index is probably the right call.
I wouldn’t argue with backing the hosts to win 2-1 either. If you fancy it, get on at 10/1 with Coral and take advantage of the firm’s ‘Fight back Cashback’ offer: if Arsenal were to win from a losing position, as they did last week, they’ll refund your losing bet.
POINTERS…
Sunderland at 2/1 with Bet Butler
Sunderland to win 2-1 at 10/1 with Coral
Sell Arsenal supremacy at 0.15 with Sporting Index
STEVENAGE vs TOTTENHAM
SUNDAY – 2.00PM ITV 1
ONLY die-hard Tottenham fans are likely to be familiar with Broadhall Way. The ground used to host the club’s reserve games, and although Stevenage have played Spurs in the odd friendly, the North Londoners will make their first full appearance there this weekend.
The FA Cup fifth round tie conjures reminders of Stevenage’s battles with Newcastle United. In 1998, Guiliano Grazioli famously earned the then non-league team a St James’ Park replay they were unfortunate to lose 2-1. But they took revenge last season when the Toon came calling again and left victims of a 3-1 defeat.
The 2010/11 season was a vintage one for Stevenage, with promotion from League Two at the first attempt added to their FA Cup fourth round appearance. And they haven’t looked back since. Nearly two-thirds of the way through this campaign and they again find themselves occupants of a play-off position.
Cup fever might be sweeping the town, but any dreams of a Wembley return for the 2007 FA Trophy champions – the first side to win a competitive final under the arch – will only be realised via the League One play-offs.
Harry Redknapp has spoken of his side’s FA Cup opportunity. If, as expected, he takes the England job, what better way of signing off than by delivering Champions League football and lifting the famous trophy for a second time after having done so with Portsmouth in 2008?
That might be getting a little carried away, but there’s no reason to doubt Coral’s 3/10 favourites on Sunday. The hosts have excelled in this year’s tournament, keeping four clean sheets to reach this stage, but Spurs haven’t conceded a goal either and I don’t expect them to start now.
Since the start of December, Redknapp’s men have won nine games across all competitions and have let in just one goal in those victories. Coral’s quote of evens for them to win to nil looks a cracker. Ironically, given Spurs’ 5-0 hammering of Premier League opponents Newcastle last time out, I don’t think they’ll run away with it. I’d expect a 1-0 or a 2-0 scoreline, so sell goals with Sporting Index at 2.75.
POINTERS…
Spurs to win to nil at evens with Coral
Sell total goals at 2.75 with Sporting Index
MILLWALL vs Bolton
TOMORROW – 3.00PM
THESE two sides are both struggling in their respective leagues and it’s quite feasible that Bolton will be playing Championship football next season and Millwall will be back in League One. The Lions are currently six points outside the relegation zone, but they are still looking over their shoulders.
Owen Coyle has endured a wretched fortnight with his side going down at Norwich and against bottom of the league Wigan at the Reebok last Saturday. The Trotters have looked very poor and their next two league games are worryingly at Chelsea and Manchester City. The FA Cup will provide a welcome distraction, but Coyle won’t be relishing a trip to the New Den.
Millwall have drawn their past two league games, but they beat Southampton in the fourth round at St Mary’s last month and they are always dangerous in front of their own fans. Kenny Jacket will be looking for a decent cup run and I’d rather back them at 9/5 than Bolton at 7/5. However, I have a feeling that these two could be hard to split and the draw is the best option at 12/5 with Coral.
The Lions have scored just 31 goals in their 30 league games this season while Bolton have found the net 29 times in their 25 matches. A sell of goals at 2.45 with Sporting Index definitely looks the right spread betting option and I wouldn’t put anyone off backing no goalscorer at 9/1 with Bet Butler.
POINTERS…
Draw at 12/5 with Coral
No goalscorer at 9/1 with Bet Butler
Sell total goals at 2.45 with Sporting Index