Manchester United vs Brighton & Hove Albion

On Saturday, it’s Swansea v Spurs first, 12.15 on BT Sport 1, with Man United hosting Brighton in the late game at 19.45, same channel.  The Spurs/Man United win double pays exactly Evens with Ladbrokes and that will certainly do us.  Spurs should simply be too good for Swansea and Mourinho  will be looking to shut a few people up following United’s tame exit from the Champions League at the hands of Sevilla on Tuesday night.

As with all FA Cup games, you must check the team news before you have a bet, but if Lukaku starts then 7/2 he scores first with Bet365 is certainly too big at home.  With no Kane for Spurs, it seems certain Lllorente will start up front against former club Swansea, particularly after his second half hat-trick in the last round.  4/1 he scores first with Betfair Sports simply must be backed on his old stomping ground.

Wigan vs Southampton

The first live game on Sunday, 13.30 on BBC One, is Wigan v Southampton.  What a season the Latics are having.  Flying high in League One, they won’t be fearing the visit of Southampton having famously dispatched Man City in the last round.  They have been simply fantastic in the FA Cup this term, having seen off Bournemouth (3-0), West Ham (2-0) and Man City (1-0) in the last three rounds.  That’s three games against teams two leagues above them, three wins, no goals conceded.  There’s no way they are going to be overawed by the occasion and Southampton have hardly been pulling up trees this season.

The Saints have beaten Fulham, Watford and West Brom by the odd goal en route to the quarter-finals but their league position is far too precarious for them to be giving this game their full attention.  As a result of winning just one of their last seventeen matches in the league they  are languishing just one point outside the relegation zone.  For them to give this game both barrels would be a surprise.  Southampton do have almost a fortnight off after this one, Wigan’s next game is at Walsall, who have nothing to play for for the rest of the season.  It would be a surprise if Wigan aren’t at full strength here.

Some Decent Value on the Line

Obviously it’s difficult to get too stuck in to a bet without knowing team news but Wigan to win looks way too big at 61/20 (just bigger than 3/1) with William Hill.  If Southampton go in weak, it’s well worth doubling down.  Bet365 go 2/1 Wigan qualify from the tie which is an outstanding bet- if it goes to a replay it’s highly unlikely Southampton will be able to field their first team.  The 2/1 is the better bet of the two and should certainly be backed.

When it comes to first scorers, you can guess who we’re going to put up here.  Will Grigg has sure been on fire this competition.  He scored both in getting rid of West Ham and finished his chance beautifully  on the way to dispatching City.  He’s 13/2 to score first with Betfair Sports and we’ll certainly be having a few quid on that.

Leicester City vs Chelsea London

Up next, at 16.30, also on BBC One, is Leicester v Chelsea.  The wheels look to have come off of Chelsea’s season following their 3-0 defeat at the Nou Camp in midweek.  Chelsea certainly gave it their all over in Spain and will surely still be feeling the effects of such an ordeal come Sunday afternoon.  With the international break looming, both have a couple of weeks off coming up.  It would be hugely unlikely that Leicester field a weakened team having not played in midweek, it remains to be seen how much Wednesday night’s game will have an effect on Sunday’s for Chelsea.

Leicester’s league season is as good as over- they aren’t scrapping for European places and they are nowhere near the relegation pile-up at the other end of the table.  Chelsea have eight games to gain either four points on Liverpool or five on Spurs if they want to qualify for the Champions League next season.  For fear of sounding boring, if Chelsea go in weaker then you’ve got to back the home side.

Fresh from thrashing West Brom away 4-1 last week, the Foxes’ confidence should be high.  5/2 Leicester (general) is where our money’s going and, as with the Wigan game, the strength of the bet will be determined by the team news.

As far as first goalscorers go, look no further than Jamie Vardy.  He’s quietly having another brilliant season and his record against the big teams is, quite simply, as good as anyone’s. Betfair Sports is 11/2 Vardy scores first and that is a little on the large side.

Whatever you’re backing this weekend, best of luck as usual.