FA Cup Semi Finals Betting Preview

It is FA Cup semi-final weekend at Wembley as three Premier League teams and one from the Championship have eyes on reaching May’s showpiece.

Manchester City, who have already won the EFL Cup under the arch this season, take on second-tier Southampton, who beat Arsenal in the quarter-finals, at 5.30pm on Saturday in a game that will be televised on BBC One. The victors will then play the winners of the second semi-final between managerless Chelsea and Leeds United, which takes place the following day at 3pm and will be shown live on TNT Sports 1.

Manchester City vs Southampton

Tip 1. Manchester City to win to nil @ 11/10 with bet365

Manchester City received a massive boost by moving to the top of the Premier league following their win at Burnley on Wednesday and they should take that good mood into their semi-final against Southampton. The Saints enjoyed a memorable night when they beat Arsenal in the last eight, but this looks a task beyond them, even though they have won 17 and drawn three of their last 20 matches. 

City eased past Liverpool 4-0 in the quarter-finals and, having conceded just once in their last five games when they gifted Arsenal a goal in their last league game, they can come through this one with a clean sheet. 

Tip 2. Antoine Semenyo to score at any time @ 10/11 with bet365

Antoine Semenyo has proved an excellent January signing for City and while he has not been on target since that 4-0 win over Liverpool, he has had eight attempts on goal in three subsequent league outings. City have Erling Haaland back among the goals, but Semenyo is more than just a wingman for the Norwegian and can make his presence felt in another big cup tie.

Chelsea vs Leeds United

Tip 1. Leeds United to qualify @ 5/4 with bet365

Chelsea arrive at their Wembley date with Leeds United in a state of turmoil after manager Liam Rosenior was sacked on Wednesday. The former Strasbourg boss has not been given the opportunity of redeeming himself in the semi-final as their 7-0 win over Port Vale in the last round has been the only occasion in their last seven games that the Blues have scored a goal. That situation may not be remedied overnight and their Yorkshire opponents have every right to be optimistic as they have dragged themselves away from serious danger of relegation.

Daniel Farke’s side showed great spirit to come through against West Ham on penalties having conceded two late goals in normal time, and they appear to be playing Chelsea at just the right time, particularly having taken four points off the Blues in the Premier League this season.

Tip 2. Noah Okafor to score or assist @ 21/10 with bet365

Noah Okafor has played a prominent role in Leeds’ recent resurgence and he can make a telling contribution inside the normal time in the second semi-final. The Swiss forward has scored five goals in his last eight appearances for the Whites and also contributed three assists in that period, so punters can be rewarded if he repeats either trick this weekend.