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Football betting: FA Cup latest

March 10, 2008 - James Goodall
   
Portsmouth goalkeeper David James, right, denied the United attack
David James denied the United attack (Credit: qq3807484587)

Portsmouth are now the odds-on favourites to win the FA Cup after a weekend of huge shocks that saw every other Premier League side knocked out to leave the competition without one of the Big Four clubs in the semi-finals for the first time since 1991.

Click here for a free £25 to bet on the FA Cup with William Hill

Both Manchester United and Chelsea crashed out of the competition on Saturday to 1-0 scorelines and they were quickly followed on Sunday by Middlesbrough. First United were beaten by Portsmouth at Old Trafford in a lunchtime kick-off. Despite dominating proceedings they found Pompey keeper David James in fine form and United fell to a sucker punch when substitute goalkeeper Tomas Kuszczak fouled Milan Baros to concede a penalty.

The keeper was sent off and Rio Ferdinand took over in goal only to see Sulley Muntari's penalty beat him and United. Harry Redknapp's side had been a best-priced 11/1 to win the match due to a dismal record at the Theatre of Dreams.

But there was an even bigger upset when 13/1 Barnsley stunned FA Cup holders Chelsea with a 1-0 win at Oakwell - Kayode Odejayi's second-half goal settling affairs. The pattern continued on Sunday when 5/1 Cardiff ran out comfortable 2-0 winners at Middlesbrough due to two first half strikes from Peter Whittingham and Roger Johnson.

Portsmouth - a huge 16/1 to lift the cup at the start of the weekend - are now the 10/11 market leaders. Cardiff are joint second favourites with West Brom at 7/2 after the Bluebirds avoided Pompey in the semis and Ishmael Miller's hat-trick helped West Brom beat Bristol Rovers 5-1 at the Memorial Stadium. However despite putting out both Liverpool and Chelsea, Barnsley are still fourth favourites and available at 13/2.

Hills report that a Barnsley win would be their worst result although, like all the layers, they're quids in whatever happens.

"After the massacre of the big boys at the weekend we don't really mind who wins the Cup," said William Hill's Graham Sharpe. "But Barnsley, 500/1 at one point, currently represent our worst result - one customer has staked £1400 on them.

"Cardiff are second worst and we have one bet of £300 at 50/1. Pompey are third - the biggest bet on them is just £400, even though they were a 20/1 chance. West Brom are the best result - the biggest bet we've taken on them is £100 at 20/1 and they have been 125/1."

William Hill have Portsmouth at 9/1 to win FA Cup plus finish in the top six of the Premier League, while West Brom are 11/2 to win the cup and also be promoted from the Championship.

Barnsley are 28s to win the FA cup and be relegated while it's 40/1 for Cardiff to win the cup and reach the play-offs.

William Hill are already offering odds of 7/4 that both of next season's FA Cup finalists will come from the 'Big Four' (Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man Utd) (2/5 not to) and 4/9 that one of the Big Four will win the Cup next season (13/8 not to).

Draw for FA Cup semi-finals (April 5/6):

Barnsley v Cardiff
West Brom v Portsmouth

Click here for a free £25 to bet on the FA Cup with William Hill

Posted: March 10, 2008
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