The column landed a 4/1 winner over the weekend as Portsmouth beat Norwich in the FA Cup. It’s all about the Carabao Cup this week though as the competition reached the semifinal stage, while there’s also Copa del Rey action from Spain.
Running total: -£28.11
The Banker
Tuesday’s Carabao Cup semifinal first leg between Spurs and Chelsea promises to be a cracker yet it’s easy to see why Tottenham start as favourites. Whatever way you look at it, this season has been a good one for Mauricio Pochettinho and Spurs. They sit just six points behind leaders Liverpool in the Premier League, are through to the Champions League round of 16 and are just three games away from winning their first significant piece of silverware since 2008 in this tournament. They ran out 3-1 winners against the Blues when they met earlier on this season and have lost just one of their last 10 matches in all competitions. They’ve also scored 22 goals in their last five matches and that looks the key stat here. Chelsea are a decent side but they’ve struggled to score goals on a consistent basis this season when Eden Hazard hasn’t been firing. Tottenham have goal threats all over the park and they look a solid bet at 11/10 to win this.
Selection: £5 on Tottenham to win at 11/10 with bet365.
The First Goal Flutter
Monday’s FA Cup clash between Wolves and Liverpool should be worth a watch and it will be interesting to see what kind of side Jurgen Klopp puts out. The Reds will be after a response after that 2-1 defeat to Manchester City but Klopp looks likely to rotate his squad with the games still coming thick and fast. Daniel Sturridge can expect to start and, if he does, he could add to the four goals he’s scored this season. He’s not played a lot of football but has looked sharp when called upon and looks worth a small interest at 4/1 to score first at Molineux.
Selection: £1 on Sturridge to score first at 4/1 with bet365.
The Tasty Treble
Over in Spain there’s Copa del Rey action this week and Atletico Madrid look a bet at 17/20 to beat Girona. Atleti have not been that reliable away from home this term but led by the mercurial Antoine Griezmann can beat a Girona side who’ve failed to win any of their last four. Villarreal were excellent in drawing 2-2 with Real Madrid last week and a similar level of performance should see them beat Espanyol at 5/6. Add Valencia at 17/20 to beat Sporting Gijon for a Copa del Rey treble paying over 5/1 with bet365.
Selection: £2 on the treble at 5.27/1 with bet365.
The Euro Wager
Real Madrid fell to a shock 2-0 home reverse to Real Sociedad on Sunday and need to get back on track against Leganes in the Copa del Rey this week. Both teams to score has been priced up at 19/20 at the Bernabeu and looks interesting. In the last seven matches between the two sides, the bet would have landed on five occasions and should land again given Los Blancos‘ current defensive frailties.
Selection: £4 on both teams to score at 19/20 with bet365.
The Wildcard Tip
Manchester City are virtually unbackable at 1/20 when they host Burton in their Carabao Cup semifinal first leg this week. City hit seven as they eased to a 7-0 win over Rotherham at the weekend and should ultimately have too much class for plucky Burton. However the Brewers are unlikely to sit back and play for a 0-0 so it could be worth having a speculative play on both teams scoring in the first half at 7/1. Nigel Clough’s side have scored eight goals in their last four matches so are likely to go down fighting at the Etihad.
Selection: £1 on both teams to score in the first half at 7/1 with bet365.
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