YOU just can’t beat the magic of the Cup.
There’s a packed FA Cup fourth round schedule this weekend involving a number of lower league teams, all of whom are scrapping for a dream trip to Wembley in May.
Pep Guardiola’s Man City won last year’s FA CupCredit: EPA
We’ve got betting tips for you from five key ties, starting with Oxford’s long trip to the North East…
Newcastle vs Oxford, Saturday 3pm
WE start off in chief giant-killing territory.
Oxford have already claimed one Premier League cup scalp this season – and what a performance it was.
The U’s tore West Ham apart on a torrid night for the Hammers at the Kassam Stadium back in September.
Karl Robinson has them playing a brand of fearless football and this is exactly the sort of tie which will hold no worries for the League One promotion chasers, especially after impressing and scoring against Man City.
Newcastle are as inconsistent as ever, failing to hit top gear over the Christmas period but then beating Chelsea out of the blue at the weekend and somehow snatching a 2-2 draw at Everton.
Steve Bruce is likely to ring the changes for this one – and we reckon Oxford will give the Toon fringe players a proper game.
Ritchie celebrates with Isaac Hayden as Newcastle beat ChelseaCredit: Reuters
When the sides met in this competition back in 2017, it was another memorable occasion at the Kassam as the home side romped to a 3-0 victory.
Throw the league form out of the window for a minute, despite Oxford currently in the middle of a four game winless run in League One.
They travel well and up until a visit to MK Dons last month had scored in every away game this season.
Newcastle took their foot off the gas here against Rochdale in the third round, conceding late on despite being 4-0 up.
Toon haven’t reached the fifth round since 2006 and have crashed out at this stage in each of the last three years.
If there’s a shock in the 3pm matches, we reckon this is where it’s at.
A play on Oxford to win or a gain a replay – just as Rochdale did – is a tasty 2/1 and we recommend that’s where you head.
And the 5/6 on both teams to score is way too high. Get on.
SunSport best bets
Oxford double chance (win or draw): 2/1
Both teams to score at St James Park: 5/6
A goal to be scored in both halves: 4/7
Oxford fans couldn’t believe what they were witnessing as West Ham were blown awayCredit: Reuters
Hull City vs Chelsea, Saturday 5.30pm
WHISPER it, but this could be another big money maker for punters looking for a shock.
Chelsea have lurched from one disaster to the next in recent weeks, with their 2-2 draw against ten-man Arsenal in midweek yet another example of naive game management.
Frank Lampard’s side may be young, but they don’t appear to be learning very fast.
They’ll have to be on it against a Hull side who are marking themselves out as playoff contenders in the Championship.
Chelsea played a fairly strong XI against second-tier opposition in Nottingham Forest in the third round, cruising to a 2-0 victory – albeit with a little help from VAR.
Expect Big Frank to ring the changes again and Hull can at least have success in the goals column.
Kepa will likely step aside, which in his current form is a blessing for the men in blue.
The stopper has one of the worst save ratios in the Premier League – and that wasn’t helped on Tuesday when Arsenal’s only two shots found the Chelsea net.
Lampard has a worse record at Chelsea after 24 games than Sarri
We reckon there’s goals a plenty in this one.
Hull’s Tom Eaves was the hero as the Tigers fought back for a 3-2 win at Rotherham and in the second tier this season 17 of their 28 matches have featured three goals or more.
That’s the bet here against a Chelsea side who are impossible to predict.
As such, have a little play on Hull to win either half – that’s a very tempting price at 11/5.
Eaves might have been the star in the last round, but Jarrod Bowen in the Hull man to be on for a goal.
He’s commanding a fee of around £18m with a number of clubs hovering – back him to show his class against top opposition at 12/5.
SunSport’s best bets
Over 2.5 goals at the KC Stadium: 6/10
Hull to win either half: 11/5
Jarrod Bowen to score his 18th of the season: 12/5
Bowen has been vital for Hull since his breakout in 2017Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Man City vs Fulham, Sunday 1pm
THE holders have another home tie – but don’t expect Fulham to roll over.
It’s been an odd season for Man City, who have been unable to live up to a stunning domestic treble in 2019/20.
With the Premier League title seemingly on it’s way down the M62 to Merseyside, retaining the FA Cup will be high on Pep Guardiola’s agenda.
Fulham continue to impress in the Championship and are now battling Leeds and West Brom for the automatic spot.
They’ve strengthened shrewdly so far in the January window, with the arrival of the underrated Terence Kongolo from Huddersfield a particularly astute loan.
Even so, you can get odds of 28/1 on the visitors taking this in 90 minutes.
Worth a quid? Well, considering Fulham have lost their last five visits by an aggregate of 15-0, we’d have to say no.
Even if Man City go ‘weak’, they will still be fielding eleven full internationals.
Man City thumped Watford to win the 2018/19 FA CupCredit: AP:Associated Press
This being a cup tie, we’re prepared to give Fulham a chance – sort of – and reckon we can at least get a decent return by backing them to score.
Evens for both teams to score at the Etihad is no longer a price to be sniffed at, with this City team certainly not indestructible.
They’ve conceded at least once in nine of their last ten home games.
And that includes Tom Pope’s header for Port Vale. The fear factor is gone.
City to win and both teams to score is a terrific 27/20 and the best value you’ll find on this one, bar backing a hat-full.
If you reckon Guardiola’s men take their frustrations out on Championship opposition, over 4.5 goals is an outside chance at 7/5.
SunSport’s best bets
Both teams to score at the Etihad: Evens
City to win but Fulham to score: 27/20
Over 4.5 goals: 7/5
Shrewsbury vs Liverpool, Sunday 5pm
YOU can’t win anything with kids.
Someone tell this band of Liverpool lads, because they didn’t half put in a shift against Everton.
Jurgen Klopp is set to reward them with another first team outing against League One opposition in a very different environment.
As a result, you can’t really look at this as ‘world champions’ Liverpool.
The home team here can’t be discounted – especially when you consider what Aston Villa did to a similar looking XI in the Carabao Cup.
Shrewsbury saw off Bristol City here in the third round after a replay – which is a heck of a result against the Championship high-flyers.
The bookies are ready and waiting for another shock, with the Shrews priced up at just 6/1.
To be fair, that is a terrific price considering how Villa dealt with the Liverpool kids.
Curtis Jones netted a stunning winner against EvertonCredit: AFP or licensors
As good as some of these lads are, the Meadow is a tough place to go at the best of times – just as Bristol discovered.
Even if they don’t win the game, there’s plenty of value to be found on the League One side.
Shrewsbury aren’t a team that score many – but they don’t concede often either.
Of their 25 league games this term, just EIGHT have resulted in three goals or more, which is the fewest of any team in League One.
They will look to keep this tight and earn what could be a lucrative replay at Anfield.
Under 2.5 goals is a belting price at 5/4.
While we won’t steer you away from the draw, which is a superb 7/2.
Roared on by a capacity crowd, this hard-working Shrews side can extend their FA Cup adventure against Liverpool’s youngsters.
If you want to play it safe, the +2 handicap on the home team is great value and covers anything up to a one-goal defeat for the underdogs.
SunSport’s best bets
Shrewsbury to earn a replay against Liverpool’s kids: 7/2
Under 2.5 goals: 5/4
League One side given two goal head start (+2 handicap): 4/6
Bournemouth vs Arsenal, Monday 8pm
ARE the real Bournemouth back?
Eddie Howe’s side looked like their old selves on Tuesday night as they tore Brighton apart with some clinical, one-touch attacking football.
It’s the sort of thing that’s been lacking at the Vitality this season and might kick-start a move away from the relegation zone.
Howe put out a strong team against Luton and will likely do so again – although it’s hard to trust a forward line led by Dominic Solanke.
Arsenal are showing signs of real fight under Mikel Arteta and they showed they were up for a scrap in the 1-0 win over Leeds.
This is silverware and Arteta knows it’s important – expect him to make changes but still put out a strong side for this trip to the South Coast.
Gabriel Martinelli is proving to be a hit with fans after bagging his tenth of the season in the 2-2 draw with Chelsea and looks sure to feature again.
If you need a goalscorer bet, he’s the boy to be on.
Arteta has made the worst start of any manager in Arsenal’s history
David Luiz had a nightmare return to Stamford BridgeCredit: PA:Press Association
David Luiz will be suspended for this one, which might be a blessing in disguise with the Gunners defence looking far more assured with him sat watching in the dressing room.
Both teams have scored in the last four H2H’s on this ground, including the 1-1 draw here on Boxing Day.
The Gunners have drawn their last five away games in all competitions – but here we’re backing them to see of a Cherries side whose number one priority is avoiding relegation.
5/6 on Arsenal is short, so go for them to win but concede at 12/5 instead – they’ve just one clean sheet in 13 games and that doesn’t exactly inspire confidence.
We’re expecting an open game, with the shackles off for both sides.
There’s value on the goals to be had and over 2.5 at 8/11 is the way to play.
SunSport’s best bets
Arsenal to win but both teams to score: 12/5
Over 2.5 goals: 8/11
Gabriel Martinelli to continue scoring streak: 21/10
*All odds correct at time of publication
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
