It’s FA Cup semi final weekend at Wembley and we take a look at Saturday’s clash between Manchester City v Southampton and Sunday’s game between Chelsea and Leeds.
Prices quoted are correct at the time of publication but subject to change.
Man City v Southampton (Saturday)
City’s FA Cup run started with a 10-1 hiding of Exeter in Manchester and they went on to beat Salford 2-0 in another home fixture before a 3-1 win at Newcastle put them into the last 8 where they came up against Liverpool. A hat trick from Haaland and a goal from Semenyo saw City through 4-0 against Slot’s team and a swift return to Wembley where they beat Arsenal2-0 in the EFL Cup final.
City are no longer in the UCL but they now have their noses in front in the title race, ahead of Arsenal on goals scored with 5 rounds of matches to go for both sides.
Southampton turned Premier League opposition over in the Round of 16 when a late penalty gave them a 1-0 win over Fulham at Craven Cottage but even better was to come in the quarter finals. The Saints were drawn at home to Arsenal in the last 8 and they came through a 2-1 win thanks to goals from Ross Stewart and a late winner from Shea Charles. In the early rounds Southampton won 3-2 at Doncaster and 2-1 at home to Leicester.
The cup run has also had a positive effect on Southampton’s Championship form and a run of 13 wins and 4 draws in their last 17 league games has taken them to within 3 points of the remaining automatic promotion place. However, second placed Ipswich, who the Saints host next up, do have a game in hand.
The Verdict
It’ very hard to oppose City but I give Southampton a punchers chance of contributing to the scoring and I’ll take my chances with a multi score play in regulation time.
Bets: Multi Score, Man City to win 2-1. 3-1 or 4-1 at 31/10 with Sportingbet
Chelsea v Leeds (Sunday)
It’s been a another turbulent week at Chelsea and after a 3-0 defeat away to Brighton in EPL on Tuesday night coach Liam Rosenior was sacked and their former U21 coach Calum McFarlane steps in for the rest of this season. Chelsea have been on a five-game losing run without a goal in the EPL to slip out of the top 5 and they also exited the UCL to PSG 8-2 on aggregate. If they do qualify for any European football next season it looks like it will be either the Europa or Conference League.
The FA Cup is the opportunity to salvage something and Chelsea have been knocking in the goals in this competition with wins at Charlton (5-1), Hull (4-0) and then Wrexham (4-2) although they needed extra time to see off the Welsh side. In the quarter finals they hosted Port Vale and romped to a 7-0 win at Stamford Bridge.
Leeds came up against 3 sides from the Championship in the earlier rounds and they accounted for Derby with a 3-1 away win, Birmingham with a 2-1 win away from home and Norwich with a 3-0 victory at Elland Road. They were drawn away to West Ham in the last 8 and were in total control of the game at 2-0 up before two late goals forced extra time. There was no further scoring and it was Leeds who held their nerve in the penalty shoot out.
Even better news for Leeds comes in the shape of hitting the 40 point mark in the EPL which now gives them a 9 point cushion over third bottom Spurs. Leeds have also taken 4 points from Chelsea across the two league meetings this season, winning 3-1 at Elland Road and coming from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 at Stamford Bridge.
The Verdict
Reports suggest the some of the Chelsea players were very unhappy with how Rosenior was going about his job and if that was the case we might see some sort of positive reaction here. However Leeds are in great shape and certainly won’t be lacking in confidence and I think this will be a decent game.
I’m with both sides to find the net in a game of 3 goals or more in total.
Bets: Both teams to score and over 2.5 total goals? Yes at 23/20 with Sportingbet
Note, odds are correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
