Liverpool v Man Utd could result in draw in FA Cup 4th round

Thursday, 26th January 2012

This week it's the FA Cup fourth round and the live action gets underway on Friday night as Tottenham make the short trip to Vicarage Road where they face Watford. This fixture is a little bit bigger than would have been a couple of weeks ago for Tottenham following their last gasp defeat at the hands of Manchester City on Sunday. The equilibrium of their season will have changed a bit because of that result and the home draw to Wolves a fortnight ago and although the emphasis will be on securing a top four place and qualifying for the Champions League, it's likely that going the extra step and challenging for the title might now be beyond them.

With this in mind, I think Spurs will line up with a strong side on Friday night. There's an obvious gulf in class but there's no room for a slip up and having an Englishman as manager, Spurs will want to win the FA Cup. Also, with Liverpool versus Manchester United on Saturday, there's a realistic prospect that United could get knocked out, which would leave Spurs as the strongest team left in the competition if they play to their potential.

Watford are struggling in the Championship currently sitting in 18th place and have lost as many as they have won at Vicarage Road. If Tottenham play well then they will win and although I'd advise you to check the teams prior to having your bet if possible, I fancy a 3-1 win in the favour of Spurs at odds of 12/1 with Sky Bet.

Saturday's big game is the Liverpool v Man Utd clash at lunchtime. The pressure is off Liverpool a bit following their win over Man City in the Carling Cup semi-final on Wednesday but their supporters won't allow them to take their foot off the gas here. Both teams will take this very seriously in what is a huge rivalry. Everton and Man City maybe these two clubs' local rivals but this game means the most to the supporters and teams as this is as intense a rivalry as you can get in the English game.

Liverpool are unbeaten at home this season but have drawn a lot of games and it's that outcome which interests me most here. United could do without any extra games but avoiding defeat will be in the forefront of both managers' minds going into this match. You could argue that Liverpool might be a bit leggy for this having played just three days ago but Dalglish does have other options to freshen things up so that may not be the case.

As I've said, I think both managers will be happy with a draw on Saturday and I can't see past one either, so I'm going to tip up a 1-1 correct score bet at odds of 6/1 with Ladbrokes.

Saturday evening's game should be pleasing on the eye as Brighton host Newcastle at The Amex. Both teams left it late to reach this stage of the competition and having witnessed Brighton's replay at Wrexham I can say that Gus Poyet's side were a little lucky to progress.

Brighton are no strangers to Premiership opposition having beaten Sunderland and given Liverpool a good game in the Carling Cup earlier this season. However, Gus Poyet's side were flying at the time but that isn't the case at the moment a they are stuttering somewhat of late. Having said that I also feel that Poyet wouldn't be totally heart broken if they were to go out of the competition at this stage so they can concentrate on their league campaign.

Brighton like to play football and they're similar in style to Swansea, so this should be a good game to watch. Neither side will want a replay and it's this kind of approach which should see a nice attacking match from both sides, neither have much to lose and will give it a good pop. I think quality will win out so will be backing a 2-1 win in the favour of Newcastle at odds of 8/1 with Coral.

There are two games on Sunday afternoon and there's a north-east derby to kick things off as Sunderland host Middlesbrough at the Stadium of Light. If I know Martin O'Neill he'll go with a strong line up for this match. I played in the cup for Martin lots of times and I never knew a time when he'd rest players. He always thinks about the immediate game and not any further ahead than that. His side are in good form and although I thought he'd turn things around up there, even I have been surprised just how quickly he's gone about his business. Sunderland are well organised, play with a high tempo and have a genuine goal threat and I can't see past a home win here.

Boro are on a poor run of form in the Championship having lost their last three matches but they are a good team and Tony Mowbray has done an excellent job guiding them to fourth in the Championship. Like Brighton, I don't think it would be a disaster if they bowed out of the FA Cup at this stage so they can concentrate on promotion. They have nothing to lose which could make it another good game to watch.

Sunderland are 8/11 for the win here which is a good bet in itself but I'm going to plumb for a 2-0 home win at odds of 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

Finally to The Emirates for the Arsenal v Aston Villa match on Sunday afternoon. It's staggering to think how average Arsenal have looked at times this season and I reckon there could be something in this for Villa. Much was made of the crowd reaction to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain's substitution on Sunday versus United, but you have to understand that it's six years of built up frustration for the Arsenal fans. It seemed a rather bizarre decision, especially in regards to bringing on the hapless Arshavin and there in lies the big problem for Arsenal at the moment. There just isn't enough quality being brought into the club to class it as an improvement, so other than Robin Van Persie the side is too much of a muchness, with it not making a huge difference who plays out of the rest of the squad if selected.

As I said, I think Villa can capitalise on this poor run of form of Arsenal's and in Robbie Keane's acquisition on loan from LA Galaxy he can be the difference on Sunday. He scored a terrific brace at Wolves last week and links up nicely with Darren Bent. As an ex-Spurs player he'll no doubt come in for some stick but he's long enough in the tooth for that not to effect him and I can see him as being an integral part of a 1-1 draw. That correct score bet is priced up at 7/1 with BetVictor.

As always with the cup competitions I advise you wait to hear the team news before placing your bets and you'll likely pick up some decent prices as a result.

Steve Claridge's Weekend FA Cup Tips

Tip #1: Watford v Spurs (27th Jan 2012) Tottenham to win 3-1 @ odds of 12/1 with Sky Bet.

Tip #2: Liverpool v Man Utd (28th Jan 2012) 1-1 correct score @ odds of 6/1 with Ladbrokes.

Tip #3: Brighton v Newcastle (28th Jan 2012) Newcastle to win 2-1 @ odds of 8/1 with Coral.

Tip #4: Sunderland v Middlesbrough (29th Jan 2012) Sunderland to win 2-0 @ odds of 7/1 with Ladbrokes.

Tip #5: Arsenal v Aston Villa (29th Jan 2012) 1-1 correct score @ odds of 7/1 with BetVictor. 

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