Sunderland Amongst Best Bets From FA Cup Fourth Round

The FA Cup takes centre stage once again this week and although there are plenty of short priced favourites there should also be some value calls amongst the games this week.

The highlight of the fourth round has to be Liverpool v Man Utd and this game looks likely to need a replay to be decided. Liverpool are unbeaten at home in the Premiership this season but have drawn a huge seven out of eleven games at Anfield. One of those draws was the 1-1 against Man Utd in October and with Man Utd looking unlikely to lose (just one away loss away from all in the league this season) a draw looks a great bet at 23/10 forcing a replay between the two teams.

There could be a bit of value in backing another draw in an all Premiership clash between QPR and Chelsea. QPR got their first win under Mark Hughes last week and his side are capable of getting a draw at odds of 3/1. Chelsea have drawn three out of their last four away matches whilst QPR have lost less than half their home games this season. The odds of 3/1 make this bet worth the risk and a small bet on a replay being required in this match looks a good option.

It could also be worth having an interest in Bolton at home to Swansea. Bolton have really struggled this season, especially at home, but they were fairly impressive in their 3-1 home win against Liverpool last week and may have turned a corner. They have a great opportunity to progress to the fifth round having been drawn at home to Swansea, who despite being a pleasure to watch this season have really struggled on the road gaining just six points from eleven away matches. Bolton aren’t a certainty but the odds of 7/5 on a home win look very fair here.

Finally one of the best bets in the fourth round of the FA Cup could come in the game between Sunderland and Middlesbrough on Sunday. Sunderland have been in great form since O’Neill took over and they have only lost to Spurs and Chelsea (both 1-0) and Sunderland have won three and drawn one of their last four at home and that’s against Premiership opposition. Middlesbrough have been doing well in the Championship this season but we should remember it is only the Championship and one of the form sides in the Premiership look a good bet at current odds of 8/11.