FA Cup betting tips: Fourth round preview

Manchester United put paid to Arsenal in the last round, but otherwise, the top half of the Premier League remains in the FA Cup as we reach the fourth-round stage.

There are only four matches between two top-flight sides, with three between lower-league clubs which will ensure there will be some EFL representation in the last 16 of the competition.

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Some of the Championship (or lower) sides will fancy the idea of knocking out a Premier League club too. 

It will be a brave (or foolish?) Premier League manager who rotates heavily this weekend. 

Manchester United vs Leicester betting tips

Manchester United have already beaten Leicester twice at Old Trafford this season, knocking them out of the Carabao Cup in October. 

In a delicious twist of fate, the Foxes manager Ruud van Nistelrooy was in charge of United for both games. With the Red Devils having lost five of their last seven home matches in all competitions, a lot of teams would be happy to go to Old Trafford to try to pile more pressure on Ruben Amorim on Friday night.

Leicester don’t look capable of doing so, though. Trying to stay in the Premier League will also be their clear focus for the remainder of the campaign. 

Key players will surely be rested here whereas United can go at full strength as they have little on the line in the league.

United won the two meetings earlier this season by three goals. While there has been turnover in players at both clubs since Leicester were previously in the Premier League in 2022/23, the Red Devils triumphed in both clashes that season too. 

The score at Old Trafford? 3-0. Another win by at least two goals looks on the cards for United.

Scoreline prediction

Manchester United 2-0 Leicester (41/5 with Matchbook)

FIRST’s top tip:

Handicap: Manchester United -1 (10/11 with BetMGM)

Everton vs Bournemouth betting tips

The meeting of these teams at Goodison Park in August was a Premier League all-time classic. 

Everton led 2-0 in the 86th minute yet 10 minutes later Luis Sinisterra had made it 3-2 to Bournemouth. The Cherries also won the return fixture 1-0, which proved to be Sean Dyche’s final game in charge.

Everton have picked up form since David Moyes returned to the club. They followed his debut defeat to Aston Villa by winning their next three games. 

Bournemouth have been doing even better in the last few months. They were on an 11-game unbeaten run in the league before losing to leaders Liverpool last weekend.

While their form is unlikely to collapse completely, Andoni Iraola’s squad has been carrying a lot of injuries for a long time and that should give the Toffees the edge. 

He also rotated heavily in the cup last season, so while he doesn’t have the players to make wholesale changes, anyone who needs a breather is very likely to get one.

Bournemouth’s last seven away matches all saw three-or-more goals and a solitary clean sheet. Even a weakened Cherries side should be able to create a few chances against Everton, so this is likely to be an entertaining encounter. 

Scoreline prediction

Everton 2-1 Bournemouth (8/1 with Zetbet)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (47/50 with Mr.Play)

Brighton vs Chelsea betting tips

The last three meetings between Brighton and Chelsea saw the Londoners win but without keeping a clean sheet. The form book suggests that this game should maintain that trend.

An upset can’t be ruled out. While the Seagulls are winless in their last five matches at the Amex Stadium, Chelsea failed to win any of their previous four on the road. 

There’s no shame in losing at Manchester City, but a defeat at Ipswich, which didn’t look great at the time, appears even worse after Southampton’s victory there last weekend. 

Based on recent results at home or away as appropriate, both teams would probably prefer if this tie was held at Stamford Bridge.

You still have to stick with Chelsea, though, because Enzo Maresca’s squad has such depth that even a heavily changed side will be strong. 

As nine of the Blues’ 12 league wins this season have seen both teams score, the most of any other team in the top flight, that looks the logical bet. 

Scoreline prediction

Brighton 1-3 Chelsea (12/1 with Luckster)

FIRST’s top tip:

Chelsea win and both teams to score (5/2 with Bet442)

Aston Villa vs Tottenham betting tips

Two of the last three times Tottenham visited Villa Park, they won 4-0. They also came from behind to beat Aston Villa 4-1 the last time these teams met in north London. 

The home side are unlikely to lose as badly but there should be plenty of goals. 

Both teams have scored in Villa’s last six matches on home turf, with an average of 3.5 goals across those games. Similarly, while Tottenham won 2-0 at Brentford recently they conceded two expected goals-worth of chances. 

Spurs also both won and lost 3-2 in their two away games prior to that. Despite heading to Anfield with a 1-0 first leg lead in the Carabao Cup, Ange Postecoglou’s side were beaten 4-0. Conceding at least twice in every away game at the moment seems almost inevitable. 

With Tottenham so open and Aston Villa far from watertight at the back, this should be the most chaotic cup tie of the weekend.

Scoreline prediction

Aston Villa 2-2 Tottenham (9/1 with Vegasland)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 3.5 goals (11/9 with Spinzwin)

Quick scoreline predictions:

Leeds 2-0 Millwall (5/1 with Spreadex)

Leyton Orient 0-3 Manchester City (5/1 with Mr.Play)

Stoke 1-1 Cardiff (5/1 with Vegasland)

Wigan  0-3 Fulham (13/2 with Spreadex)

Coventry 1-2 Ipswich (7/1 with BetMGM)

Preston 2-0 Wycombe (23/2 with Matchbook)

Southampton 0-1 Burnley (9/1 with Zetbet)

Birmingham 0-3 Newcastle (9/1 with Luckster)

Blackburn 1-2 Wolves (13/2 with BetMGM)

Plymouth 0-3 Liverpool (26/5 with Spinzwin)

Doncaster 0-2 Crystal Palace (9/2 with Bet442)

Exeter 0-2 Nottingham Forest (6/1 with Spreadex)

Odds correct at the time of writing.