FA Cup

Great tip from Tom here, as ‘Boro crashed out of the Cup atthe hands of Cardiff.

Four FA Cup quarter finals this weekend but with Manchester United and Chelsea short prices to advance, there isn’t much value floating about.

Portsmouth go to Old Trafford with an impressive record on the road this season but this is the ultimate test and I can’t see United getting beat. Sir Alex is always delighted to play knock out football on his own patch, rather face a tricky away tie, and the 1.34 or thereabouts on him and his side making the last four yet again looks spot on.

The fact that Chelsea are the same price to beat Barnsley, albeit away from Stamford Bridge, is perhaps a little surprising. Barring their Carling Cup Final defeat they have been in superb form and looked very impressive when romping into the quarter finals of he Champions League on Wednesday night. Avram Grant has plenty of options and, even were he to rest a few of his a-list stars, they should be easily good enough.

If there is one bet to be had this weekend in the FA Cup it looks to be at the Riverside and I think the hosts are short enough. Cardiff, their opponents, are difficult to beat on their travels and odds on about a home win looks short.

Gareth Shouthgate’s side have put together a decent run in the Premier League, their home form is solid, and their string of good results has seen them all but pull clear of any relegation danger. Their defence is rock solid, youngster David Wheater looks a bright prospect, but scoring goals is still a problem and there is no doubt that Cardiff will come to frustrate.

Dave Jones would be delighted to take ‘Boro back to Ninian Park and having seen how fellow Championship side Sheffield United coped fairly comfortably with the Premier League side in round five, he’ll be confident of doing so. They’ve lost just five games away from home all season, don’t concede many, and to be able to lay ‘Boro at around the 1.70 mark looks decent value.