FA Cup Quarter-Finals Preview

The FA Cup quarter-finals are a highlight of the football programme over the holiday weekend. The four ties begin with a blockbuster Saturday lunchtime showdown between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium (TNT Sports 1, 12.45pm), followed by the David vs Goliath clash between Chelsea and League One Port Vale at Stamford Bridge (BBC One and TNT Sports 1, 5.15pm).

Premier League leaders Arsenal visit Championship side Southampton to round off Saturday’s action (BBC One and TNT Sports 1, 8pm), while Sunday’s all-Premier League meeting between West Ham and Leeds United (TNT Sports 1, 4.30pm) will complete the semi-final line-up as the final four teams head to Wembley.

A quirk of last season’s quarter-finals saw all four away teams progressing but the odds favour three of the home clubs this time around.

Tip 1: Chelsea vs Port Vale – Chelsea to win to nil @ 4/6 with bet365

Chelsea may well be glad to return to action with an FA Cup game against a lower-league side after they signed off for the international break having lost four consecutive games. The Blues lost both legs of their Champions League tie with PSG, plus Premier League games against Everton and Newcastle, but a home quarter-final against League One Port Vale gives them a chance for a fresh start.

Chelsea have dispatched three lower-division teams in the competition this season, seeing off Championship trio Charlton, Hull and Wrexham, scoring 13 goals and conceding only three, and this should be an even more straightforward task. Vale are bottom of League One and have lost their last two league games without scoring. That pattern can continue at Stamford Bridge as Liam Rosenior looks for his team to secure a confidence-boosting success.

Tip 2: Manchester City vs Liverpool – Manchester City to win and both teams to score @ 21/10 with bet365

Manchester City beat Liverpool 2-1 the last time the teams faced each other in the Premier League in February and a similar outcome looks likely in their FA Cup clash. The Citizens have reached the last three FA Cup finals, beating Manchester United three years ago before losing to the Red Devils and Crystal Palace in the last two seasons. Beating a top team such as the Reds three times in the same season is not easy but as well as home advantage, City also have the schedule in their favour as their next fixture is not for eight days, while Liverpool have to consider their daunting Champions League visit to Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.

Pep Guardiola’s team can stay on course for a cup double, having beaten Arsenal in the EFL Cup final before the international break. However, with both teams scoring in 14 of the last 19 meetings between the teams, the Reds are capable of getting on the scoresheet too – both teams have scored in five of Liverpool’s last seven matches.

Tip 3: Southampton vs Arsenal – Southampton Half-Time/Arsenal Full-Time @ 18/1 with bet365

Southampton have plenty going for them as they bid to upset Premier League leaders Arsenal and at 18/1 backing them to lead at half-time before being overhauled in the second half is an interesting option. The Saints have soared up the Championship table thanks to a 14-match unbeaten run and the atmosphere for Saturday night’s game should be lively after they won six of their last seven home matches (including the 2-1 extra-time win over Leicester in the fourth round).

The second-tier team have conceded only one first-half goal in their last nine matches (and even that came in the 45th minute) and, while they may not be able to stay in front, it’s realistic to think they could have some early success against an Arsenal team who could be missing some top players due to injuries and their Champions League trip to Sporting on Tuesday.