Sports Blog 06/03/2015: Match Preview – FA Cup Quarter Final, Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th March 2015

It’s that time again, with the neutrals hoping for a bit of the ol’ Cup magic! There are fewer chances for the scalps that have been so prevalent this season, but nevertheless this weekend’s FA Cup quarter finals contain the chance for some upsets.

The first tie of the weekend contains the Jack of this season’s FA Cup; Bradford City have two giant-killings under their belt so far, and will hoping for another when they host Reading at 12.45pm on BT Sport 1, with Bradford fans getting their much clamoured for free-to-air game. Sunderland and, most memorably, Chelsea have both fallen at the hands of the the mighty Bantams, and Phil Parkinson’s side will be desperate to continue this run and book a place at Wembley. Victory at the weekend against Crawley put the Bantams back on track after 3 games without a win, and it is a sign of how far they have come this season that they are now going into the quarter final as favourites. However, Bradford could be overstretched in trying to continue their cup push; it’s a big ask for a third scalp in a row.



Yet the draw has been very kind to the Bantams. They managed to get one of the two non-Premier League sides left available in the cup, ensuring a non-top tier team will at least get through to the semi-finals. With Reading at 18th in the Championship and Bradford at 8th in League One there isn’t as much separating the two teams as one would initially expect. Reading are struggling for form at the moment ,with only 2 wins in 7 games, and no wins in 3. Yet despite this, Reading have only lost one of their last 7 away fixtures, a fact that will give them hope before Saturday. However, our traders still fancy the (sort of? Not really?) underdogs at a Bradford/Reading Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 0-0.2, with our clients split on who to support; joining this is a narrow Total Goals spread of 2.35-2.55.

We then jump ahead to Saturday evening, where there will be a sense of déjà vu at Villa Park in a repeat performance of Tuesday’s league game at 5.30pm on BBC One. Aston Villa were well-deserving winners of that tie on Tuesday, with the score line flattering West Brom at only 2-1 to the Villains. The home side will be hoping to build on the confidence that Tim Sherwood seems to slowly be inspiring into Villa’s previously dejected looking players; this is especially true of Gabriel Agbonlahor (4 goals at 15/2 to score first) and Christian Benteke (4 goals at 9/2), both of whom scored in that West Midlands derby midweek.



Despite Tony Pulis doing some good work since coming to West Brom, the Baggies have now only won 1 out of their last 10 away fixtures, and with the loss of the cup dress rehearsal on Tuesday, have a tough job to do on Saturday. If they are to progress, then they will need a more confident performance from goalkeeper Ben Foster, who was responsible for the last minute penalty that gave Villa the edge in midweek. Saido Berahino, on 18 goals at 4/1, will be looking to build on the goal he scored on Tuesday, alongside Brown Ideye on 6 goals at 13/2 and James Morrison on 3 goals at 14/1. Despite Villa’s win earlier in the week, the problems in front of goal for each side has led to a choice Aston Villa/West Brom Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of -0.1-0.1, with a slim Total Goals spread of 2.15-2.35.

Finally, Sunday sees a game that is perhaps slightly easier to call, with Liverpool hosting the Championship’s Blackburn Rovers at 4pm on BT Sport 1. Considering they were 12th in the league before Christmas, Liverpool have had an impress run of form to see them rocket back up to 5th and in serious contention for one of the remaining Champions League places. On top of this Brendan Rogers’ side have won their last 5 home games and will be coming into this match knowing it’s their only chance of silverware left this season. Daniel Sturridge remains rusty since his return from injury, but is favourite to score first at 3/1 on 4 goals, whilst perpetual troublemaker Mario Balotelli is at 7/2 also on 4 goals, whilst the resurgent Raheem Sterling is on 10 goals at 15/4.



Blackburn are in the middle of a disappointing season that sees them 13 points off the pace for a playoff spot in the Championship. The FA Cup, however, has been a bright spot for the Rovers; Gary Bowyer’s side have already defeated Stoke and Swansea on the way to the quarter finals, the former being an impressive 4-1 win at home. Since then Blackburn struggled to build up a head of steam, drawing with Cardiff, Blackpool and Bournemouth whilst losing to Norwich and beating Sheffield Wednesday.

However, Blackburn do have some firepower up front; Rudy Gestede is on 15 goals this season and is at 10/1 to score first, as is Jordan Rhodes on 13 goals; they are followed by Ben Marshall at 20/1 on 6 goals. Yet for all this, Blackburn are going to find it hard to travel to Anfield and come away with anything, with our clients and traders alike fancying a Liverpool/Blackburn Goal Supremacy spread betting quote of 1.65-1.85 with a Total Goals spread betting quote of 2.95-3.15.