Football betting: Portsmouth heading for FA Cup final

This Saturday Portsmouth can be expected to reach the FA Cup final for the first time since 1939 when they meet West Bromwich Albion in the first semi-final at Wembley.

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The last time Pompey were in this position was 15 years ago when they took Liverpool to a replay before losing on penalties at Villa Park. At the time the south-coast side were in the Second Division, but this time it is 7/2 Albion who are the second-tier club hoping to take the scalp of a top-flight side.

West Brom will not be overawed by the occasion. Probably the best footballing side in the division, Jim Magilton's team are the league's highest scorers with 78 goals this campaign, 22 of which have come from veteran striker Kevin Phillips. In fact, WBA will almost certainly use Wembley's wide open spaces to play their expansive game and try to put one over on Harry Redknapp, who has never before taken a side to a cup final.

However, while West Brom are in danger of missing out on automatic promotion to the Premier League again Pompey, who are sixth in the Premier League, are in the midst of their best ever season. Even without the suspended Jermain Defoe, Redknapp can call upon the class of Niko Kranjcar, Lassana Diarra and Sulley Muntari while Sol Campbell and David James have the sort of experience to see them through against the Baggies.

Redknapp's side were very lucky to get past Manchester United two rounds ago but they have won seven of their last nine games and, with such a glorious opportunity to win silverware and a place in Europe for the first time within their grasp, this column's tip to win the cup outright will pull out all the stops to get the better of a West Brom side who still have nightmares of their playoff defeat to Derby at the same venue last May.

Expect Pompey to come up trumps in a high-scoring game at Wembley.

Verdict: 3pts Portsmouth to beat WBA @ 5/6 (Blue Square); 2pts total goals 4+ @ 9/4 (Blue Square)

Already recommended: 1pt Portsmouth to win FA Cup @ 16/1

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