We have two games today in the FA cup and two on Sunday. Previewing each game starts with Everton who entertain Wigan at Goodison Park.
Everton must really fancy themselves to win the FA cup, seeing Manchester united or Chelsea will be eliminated this weekend. Everton are overdue since last lifting the trophy in 1995, when they beat Manchester United 1-0!
Best match odds:
- Everton – 5/11 Bwin
- Draw – 42/11 Pinnacle
- Wigan – 15/2 bookies
Some facts between the two sides, courtesty of Optasports.com
Everton v Wigan Athletic
- This is only the second time these North West rivals have been drawn together in the FA Cup; in round four of the 1980 competition, Everton defeated the Latics 3-0 at Goodison Park.
- The Toffees have both scored and conceded in 13 of their last 17 FA Cup games.
- Wigan have only won two of their last 12 FA Cup games against top-flight sides (D2 L8).
- On the road, the Latics have only ever won once in the FA Cup against a side from the top tier (3-0 at Sunderland in January 2008).
- Everton have only lost two of their last 12 FA Cup games on home soil (W8 D2).
- Wigan have won three consecutive away games in the FA Cup (all this season); already their best ever run of wins on the road in the competition.
- This is only the second time Wigan have made the sixth round of the FA Cup; in 1986/87, they lost 2-0 to Leeds United.
- In contrast, this will be Everton’s 28th appearance in the FA Cup sixth round (only four teams have made more); they have progressed through 17 of the previous 27.
- Arouna Kone has already scored in both league meetings with Everton this season.
- The Latics have not won at Goodison Park since their first ever trip there in September 2005 (1-0); since then, they have lost five and drawn two.
What do we reckon?
- Everton to win by 2 or more (-1) – 13/10 Stan James
- Highest scoring half – second – 15/13 Bwin
Manchester City face Barnsley in which, City must attempt to win the FA Cup as a consolation, if the league is out of reach, which it appears to be now!
Best match odds:
- Manchester City – 1/7 Coral
- Draw – 87/10 Pinnacle
- Barnsley – 22/1 Betfred
Opta facts:
Manchester City v Barnsley
- The Citizens have won both previous FA Cup meetings with Barnsley (both on home soil), winning 2-1 in 1947/48 (round three) and 2-0 in 1992/93 (round five).
- Barnsley have only won two of their last 11 FA Cup games against Premier League sides, though those victories did come in successive games v Liverpool and Chelsea in 2007/08.
- The Tykes have not won three straight away games on the road in the FA Cup proper since January 1957.
- City have failed to score in only one of their last 18 FA Cup games on home soil, netting 39 goals in total in that run.
- Roberto Mancini’s side are unbeaten in nine games against lower ranked sides in the FA Cup, winning their last four in a row without conceding (13 goals scored).
- Carlos Tevez has scored in three successive games in all competitions.
- The Citizens have lost four of their last five FA Cup quarter-finals, though they did win their last one in 2011 (1-0 v Reading).
- This is Barnsley’s seventh appearance in round six of the competition; they were knocked out in the first five before eliminating Chelsea in 2007/08.
- City have won their last three against Barnsley in all competitions, scoring 15 goals and conceding just two.
- The Citizens have kept six clean sheets in their last seven games in all competitions at the Etihad.
What do we think?
- Barnsley +3 8/11 Paddy Power
- Over 11 corners – 4/5 888sport
We move to Sunday, and kick off with the all championship tie between Millwall and Blackburn.
Best match odds:
- Millwall – 6/4 BetVictor
- Draw – 37/15 Pinnacle
- Blackburn – 85/40 Stan James
Some opta facts on the match:
Millwall v Blackburn Rovers
- This is the first FA Cup quarter-final not to feature a Premier League side since 2008, when West Brom thumped Bristol Rovers 5-1.
- Rovers have won both previous FA Cup meetings with Millwall; they won 2-1 in Round Three of the 1978/79 competition and 1-0 in Round Four back in 2001/02.
- The Lions have not won four successive FA Cup games outright On home soil, Millwall have lost just two of their last 18 FA Cup games (W11 D5).
- since January 1957.
- Rovers are one of only two teams (with Man City) yet to concede a goal in the FA Cup proper this season.
- This is will be Millwall’s sixth appearance in round six of the FA Cup; they have progressed through two of the previous five, including the last one (2003/04 v Tranmere).
- Rovers, meanwhile, are appearing at this stage for the sixteenth time; they have progressed through eight of the previous 15, including the last two.
- Blackburn have only lost one of their last six trips to Millwall in all competitions (W4 D1), though they did lose at home to the Lions earlier this season.
- Colin Kazim-Richards has scored the opening goal in each of Rovers’ last two FA Cup games.
- Millwall have only failed to score in one of their last 15 FA Cup games at the New Den.
What do we think?
- Both teams to score – 3/4 BetVictor
Our last game will be a cracker, between Manchester United and Chelsea. Manchester United have just been knocked out in emotional fashion, from the champions league, whereas Chelsea have a 1 goal deficit to claw back in their Europa league second leg next Thursday.
Best match odds:
- Manchester United – 5/6 Coral
- Draw – 124/41 Pinnacle
- Chelsea – 19/5 Will Hill
Opta facts
Manchester United v Chelsea
- This will be the eleventh FA Cup tie between Manchester United and Chelsea; The Red Devils lead the head-to-head record by eight wins to two, although Chelsea did win the last meeting (the 2007 final).
- The only previous sixth round meeting between United and Chelsea in the FA Cup is also the only previous tie between the sides to go to a replay; After a 0-0 draw at Old Trafford, the Red Devils won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge to progress in their treble winning season (1998/99).
- Chelsea have never won in five previous FA Cup games at Old Trafford, losing four, drawing one and scoring just one goal in total.
- The last six meetings between these sides in all competitions have seen 30 goals scored, with 14 netted in just two meetings so far this term.
- Javier Hernandez has netted in five of his last six games against the Blues in all competitions.
- Chelsea have only lost one of their last 38 FA Cup games outright, winning 31 and drawing six.
- Indeed, the Blues are now unbeaten in 27 cup games (excluding penalty shootouts), the longest ever run without defeat by a single side.
- The Red Devils have only lost two of their last 18 FA Cup away games, with both of those defeats coming at Anfield against Liverpool.
- Juan Mata has scored five goals and assisted seven in just 10 appearances in the FA Cup.
- This will be Manchester United’s 34th appearance in the FA Cup sixth round; only Arsenal (36) have made this round more often.
What do we think?
- Both teams to score – 7/10 Ladbrokes
- Manchester United – 5/6 Coral
