Football betting: 2008 FA Cup winners

Despite drawing Premier League opposition in the fourth round Manchester United have deposed Chelsea as FA Cup favourites with William Hill, VCbet and Boylesports making Sir Alex Ferguson's side 7/2 favourites. United overcame Aston Villa with a battling 2-0 success at Villa Park on Saturday and the Premier League champions will again face top-tier opposition in the form of Tottenham Hotspur (28/1 with Bet365) or Reading (125/1 shots with Boylesports) in the next round. United are not alone in facing tricky ties as second favourites Arsenal (4/1 Ladbrokes) and Chelsea (4/1 general) will also probably both have to face Premier League sides in the next round. Like the champions, the Gunners will be at home, where they will host either Newcastle United (50/1 general) or Stoke City (500/1 general) while the FA Cup holders travel to Wigan (100/1 Bet365/BlueSq). Other potential ties of the round see plucky non-league Havant & Waterlooville (7,500/1 Paddy Power) or Swansea (1000/1 with Ladbrokes/Stan James) travel to Liverpool (5/1 BetFred/Boylesports) or Luton Town (1,500/1 BlueSq). Given that no team outside the top four has claimed the hallowed trophy since Everton surprised Manchester Utd in 1995 Paddy Power's 1/2 about the Big Four beating the field is where the smart money is. Outside of the usual suspects Portsmouth will be pleased with drawing Plymouth at home, a tie they will expect to negotiate even without their African Nations absentees, which is probably why the bookies make Pompey the fifth favourites at a not untempting best-priced 16/1. Manchester City (25s) are in sixth place but they must first overcome West Ham United (50/1) at home before overcoming Sheffield United (125/1) at Bramall Lane if they are to reach the fifth round. Verdict: 3pts the Big Four vs the Field @ 1/2 (Paddy Power); 1pt Portsmouth @ 16/1 (general)