We would have had three good Premier League bets last weekend if it wasn't for Watford and those pesky kids. However, we're content with two winning bets as a stepping stone towards more success. This weekend there's no excuses, we're aiming for the majority of the bets to come through as teams compete in the fourth round of the FA Cup.
The Balls.ie Football Show Ladbrokes Bet Of The Week:
Liverpool vs Wolves - Both Teams To Score And Liverpool To Win @15/8
The last time Liverpool and Wolves played eachother was in 2012 when both were plying their trade in the Premier League. That game at Molinuex finished 3-0 to the visitors. However, on Saturday afternoon thousands of supporters will make the short journey up the M6 to Anfield in the hope of causing an FA Cup upset.
Jurgen Klopp's side have struggled to find form since losing Sadio Mané to the Africa Cup of Nations and Philippe Coutinho to injury. While the latter has returned, after playing the majority of the Reds 1-0 defeat to Southampton in the League Cup midweek. An FA Cup victory could prove to be the much needed victory that the club need right now.
Paul Lambert on the other hand seems to found a system which works at Wolves having struggled prior to December 2016. The West Midlands outfit secured their first FA Cup victory in six years when they defeated Stoke 2-0 at the beginning of January.
Largely due to the fact that Liverpool are always liable to concede, expect both teams to score but the hosts to scrape by.
Four Goals To Be Scored In Middlesbrough vs Accrington Stanley @4/1
Surprisingly the only meeting between these two teams in recent times resulted in an Accrington Stanley victory back in 2013. Naturally, it was viewed as a cup upset at the time so the travelling support will hold on to that glimmer hope four years on. Middlesbrough have been consistently mediocre all season with their only two victories in the past month coming against Swansea and Sheffield Wednesday. Despite that they have all the makings of a solid 'cup team'.
According to Wikipedia - generally the most reliable source of information on the internet - "Accrington Stanley Football Club is a terrible association football club based in Accrington, Lancashire." Bit harsh but the clubs recent form does attract the 'terrible' title as Stanley are just three points off the relegation zone in League Two. Expect keeper Elliot Parish to be extremely busy at the Riverside on Saturday afternoon.
Liverpool, Chelsea, Brighton, Newcastle, Huddersfield & Tottenham To Win @10/1 (Saturday)
Liverpool vs Wolves: See the aforementioned preview for another tempting bet in relation to this fixture. Sincerely hope that Liverpool are not the one team to let us down. They've a history of it after all.
Chelsea vs Brentford: In 2013 Brentford held the Londoners to a 2-2 draw at Griffin Park in the FA Cup but subsequently lost the second leg 4-0. Chelsea are still yet to be caught at the top of the Premier League as they have lost only once since the beginning of November.
This fixture may prove to be a lot tighter than what most are expecting but ultimately Antonio Conte's men should reign supreme.
Lincoln City vs Brighton: In form Brighton travel to the Sincil Bank Stadium aiming to progress to the fifth round of the FA Cup for the second time in four seasons. Chris Hughton's team look a certainty to gain promotion from the Championship this season and will use this fixture to keep momentum going.
Oxford United vs Newcastle United: Newcastle look likely to join the Seagulls in the Premier League next season as they aim to win their fourth game in a row. Likewise, Oxford are in admirable form having only tasted once in their past six games. Despite that a victory against Newcastle may be prove difficult as they will have one eye on their EFL Trophy fixture against Bradford in which they have a real chance to play in Wembley at the end of the season.
Rochdale vs Huddersfield: Back when Huddersfield were an average League One team, they only defeated Rochdale once in their four fixtures against the club since 2010. However, time have changed and now the Terriers are a surprisingly good Championship side under the guidance of David Wagner. Rochdale also find themselves in the playoff position in their division as they aim to follow in Huddersfield's footsteps but this match will prove difficult. A Huddersfield victory is on the cards.
Tottenham vs Wycombe: Wycombe are currently one of the most consistent teams in England having last tasted defeat on the 9th of November. Likewise, Spurs are a solid outfit find it quite difficult to lose under Mauricio Pochettino. Unfortunately the game is not being broadcast live on television as it's going to make for a fascinating affair but expect the class of the Londoners to shine through.
Kemar Roofe To Score And Leeds To Win @12/5
Leeds have reinvented themselves under Garry Monk. No longer do they seem so hapless. There's a special atmosphere around Elland Road at the moment as they are up to the dizzying heights of third place in the Championship. They will travel to Gander Green Lane - which is in fact a foootball stadium and not a place in a Dr.Seuss cartoon - as Sutton United aim to cause a monumental cup upset live on television.
There's very little chance of it happening giving the form which Leeds have been this season. Sutton should put up an admirable performance but ultimately will concede goals as the game goes on. Expect midfielder, Kemar Roofe's name to appear on the scoresheet come full time.
Watford, Manchester United To Win & Fuham To Draw With Hull @8/1 (Sunday)
Millwall vs Watford: These two teams have played each other ten times in the past seven years with East Londoners only securing victory on one occasion. Don't expect that to change on Sunday afternoon as they welcome Watford to The Den. The Hornets look like a stable Premier League outfit who shouldn't be in any real relegation danger come the end of the season, leaving them time to focus on the FA Cup.
Fulham vs Hull: Fulham are just five points off the playoff spot in the Championship while Hull have their own problems in the Premier League as they attempt to clamber their way from relegation. In reality, this probably serves as a distraction that neither club needs right now. To make matters worse, it's more than likely going to go to a replay considering there isn't much between the sides.
Manchester United vs Wigan: Both of these clubs have lifted the FA Cup in the past four seasons while United defeated Wigan 2-0 in Wembley on their last outing. The Latics have escaped from the relegation zone after winning three consecutive games in recent weeks. Yet to expect them to upset the odds at Old Trafford seems one step beyond their capabilities despite Mourinho's team being unimpressive in their past three games.
