The fifth round of the FA Cup takes place in an unfamiliar slot in the middle of the week. A place in the quarterfinal draw is at stake for the soccer teams in contention at this stage, and there should be some intriguing fixtures to look forward to.
English Heavyweights Look Likely To Progress
We will start by looking at two of the most likely sides to progress through to the next round. Manchester City travel to London Road on Tuesday evening, as they take on Championship strugglers Peterborough United. The Posh will be looking to stay in the second-tier this season, and have recently replaced Darren Ferguson with Grant McCann. However, the decision hasn’t been rewarded with an immediate bounce as Peterborough were beaten 3-0 by Hull City at the weekend.
City has an excellent record against sides from outside the top flight, as they have won each of the last eleven that they have played. During that time, they have scored 40 goals and allowed just eight. City look incredibly hard to take on in this fixture, but there is little value at -1600 in the betting. Therefore, the handicap selection (-3) at +137 looks more backable.
Liverpool come up against Norwich City for the fourth time this season in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday. The Reds should be in good confidence after winning the League Cup at the weekend, and will be boosted by the fact that they have beaten the Canaries on all three occasions this season.
Norwich have a poor record at this stage of the competition, as they have been knocked out in the fifth round on four occasions in the past five years. Once again, Liverpool (-2) at +125 looks the most interesting betting angle.
Potential Shocks In Fifth Round
The FA Cup is all about shocks. Stoke City could be best placed to produce the big result of the round, as they are +550 to beat Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park. Stoke have progressed from two of the previous three ties that they have played against the Eagles; most recently in the 2012-13 season.
Luton Town have been in excellent form throughout the Championship season, and will be boosted by a strong record against Chelsea coming into their tie. The hosts have won four of their previous five home games against the Blues, while Chelsea have picked up just one victory in 13 attempts on the road against the Hatters. While a shock is unlikely, a interesting betting angle based on trends could be the Luton or Draw in the double chance market at +200.
The big shock could come on Thursday evening, as National League high-flyers Boreham Wood look to continue their incredible FA Cup journey against Premier League strugglers Everton. The visitors are yet to concede a goal in the main stages of the FA Cup, and knocked out Championship high-flyers Bournemouth away from home in the last round. Once again, the double chance pick of draw or Boreham Wood could be an eye-catching selection.
FA Cup Fifth Round Picks:
- Manchester City (-3) @ +137
- Liverpool (-2) @ +125
- Stoke City @ +550
- Draw or Luton @ +200
- Draw or Boreham Wood @ +450
