FA Cup Betting Tips: Southend vs Chelsea

The FA Cup replays are happening this Wednesday and Thursday and after Chelsea's demoralizing demolition at the hands of Manchester United, Southend will be fancying their chances and at 10/1 aren't bad value to pull off a historic upset. It has happened before, mind you. Paddy Power, one of the best spots you'll ever find for football wagering (the FA Cup in particular), has a really enticing money-back special on this one. If Frank Lampard scores the last goal they will be refunding all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast singles on this match. Not a bad deal as I could totally see Lampard taking it off a corner and firing in a shot that gets deflected three times and then scoots over the goal line. No doubt he would be celebrating as if John Terry could actually convert a penalty if this was to give plucky Chelsea the win over mighty Southend. If you're looking for value on this match, I would suggest backing either the Draw/Chelsea at 11/4 or the Chelsea/Chelsea at 8/11 in the Half-Time/Full-Time Market. If you seriously think Southend have what it takes to beat the chavs, then check out the Double Chance markets where you'll find Southend and Draw at 11/4. Southend outright are 10/1. Correct score will either be 2-2 with Southend winning on penalties or Chelsea 2-1. The 2-2 pays an appropriate 22/1 while Chelsea 2-1 pays 15/2. Freedman and Barnard for Southend are both backed at 5/1 to score anytime. Southend will score in this match, so the smart money is there for the taking. Either way, these are dark times for Scolari's men and anything other than a routine victory here could send the Blues reeling into the latter half of January.