Live on ITV1 & ESPN: Sat 12.45 & 17.15, Sun 14.00 & 16.45: Arsenal will find it hard at Old Trafford but can secure a draw (12/5 Totesport).
Manchester United and Arsenal are locked in an intriguing tussle for the Premiership crown and are also battling on another front domestically, as both are still in the FA Cup; however that won’t last long given that they meet at Old Trafford in the quarter finals.
Despite back-to-back league defeats, Sir Alex Ferguson’s men are William Hill’s 21/20 favourites to reach the last four while the Gunners are a 3/1 shot at Paddy Power and Arsene Wenger’s men, who have lost five of their last six in all competitions against United, certainly look to be up against it statistically if you factor in the hosts’ 13 home wins in 14 Premiership outings.
Nevertheless, Ferguson’s charges have half an eye on next week’s Champions League clash against Marseille and their midfield weaknesses were ruthlessly exposed at Anfield on Sunday so the visitors could secure a replay (12/5, Totesport) and they’re worth considering at 6/5 with Stan James to qualify from the tie.
Betfred meanwhile, quote the contest at 6/1 to finish one-each and bet365 offer 3/1 for Samir Nasri to get on the scoresheet, as he did twice in 2008, when Arsenal last beat United.
Despite their Carling Cup heroics, Birmingham don’t look set to add the FA Cup to their trophy cabinet and indeed they could be denied another Wembley visit by Bolton. The Trotters edged out Fulham at Craven Cottage in the last round and are an attractive proposition at 7/4 with Sportingbet to do likewise to the Blues, whose priority is survival now that they have already landed silverware.
With a total of fewer than three goals (3/5, Partybets) likely at St Andrews, the brave might fancy Ladbrokes’ 7/1 for Bolton to nick it 1-0.
West Ham have lost just one of their last seven in all competitions and head to Stoke in confident mood after beating the Potters 3-0 in the league last Saturday. The hosts are Coral’s 11/10 favourites to gain revenge but have been inconsistent of late and the rejuvenated Hammers are 23/10 (Totesport) to manage a draw and 11/8 courtesy of Stan James to reach their second semi-final this season.
Finally, Reading are the Championship’s only representatives after stunning Everton but their run is set to come to an end at Eastlands, where Manchester City are priced by bet365 at 2/5 to come out on top and Edin Dzeko is 21/20 () to find the net.
Recommended Bets:
Man Utd and Arsenal to draw – 12/5 (Totesport)
Bolton to beat Birmingham – 7/4 (Sportingbet)
West Ham to qualify against Stoke – 11/8 (Stan James)
Edin Dzeko to score for Man City – 21/20 ()
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