11-4 United keep their FA Cup dream alive

SPORTS BETTING: 

THEY may not please everyone with the style of their football, but Manchester United continue to churn out positive results.

Louis van Gaal certainly seems to be living up to his “Lucky” nickname with draws or victories from games in which United have been outplayed, while the FA Cup journey so far has been kind.

Victories over Yeovil, Cambridge and Preston have propelled the Reds to the quarter-finals - though not without hiccups along the way - and Arsenal lie in wait as Van Gaal eyes a Wembley date in his first season in charge of the club.

Home advantage could well be crucial, a view the bookmakers seem to take given their respective odds for United (11-4) and holders Arsenal (100-30) to lift the cup. Liverpool, with a home tie against Blackburn, are understandably favourites at 2-1.

Other prices: 14-1 West Brom, Aston Villa; 33-1 Bradford, Reading; 66-1 Blackburn.

Sky Bet offer 8-1 about a non-Premier League team winning the trophy.



TALKING of lifting trophies, Chelsea are almost certainly the team who will be doing just that when the Premier League season draws to its close.

Jose Mourinho’s team is a best-priced 8-1 ON to prevail, with second-placed Manchester City – trailing by seven points – 7-1. Then it’s Manchester United on 80-1 and Arsenal 100s.



ATHLETIC’S home loss to Colchester has seen the bookies extend their odds for promotion from Sky Bet League One. Lee Johnson’s men had been hovering around the 10-1 mark, but are now out to 16-1 with Bet Victor and Coral.



ENGLAND’S cricketers take on co-hosts New Zealand in their second group match in the World Cup in the early hours of Friday morning and I can’t envisage anything other than a victory for the Black Caps.

They are 4-7 to make it three wins from as many matches and leave England (7-4) without a win in their two following their thrashing at the hands of Australia.

With New Zeland’s seam attack especially potent on home turf, England’s top order could be in some jeopardy so it may be worth taking a punt on number seven Jos Buttler to be the Three Lions’ top batsman at a juicy 18-1 with Paddy Power.

Most other firms go 12-1 so Paddy and Co have really gone out on a limb about a superb one-day player.



RECOMMENDATION: Jos Buttler to be top England batsman v New Zealand, 18-1 (Paddy Power).