The Best FA Cup Football Bets This Weekend 17th and 18th March

The road to Wembley has got a lot shorter since the New Stadium was built and the semi finals were moved from neutral grounds to Wembley. Not a lot of people agree with this but bills have to be payed. So in effect 8 teams a one step away from Wembley and 2 from a Wembley final.

Everton v Sunderland  -   Sat 17^th March 12.45  ITV

Both of these teams come into this game after playing Liverpool  in their previous game but with 2 very different outcomes. Sunderland beat Liverpool in an uneventful game and edged it, through a freak goal that hit the post, Reina's Bonce, post and then fell for the masked man, Bendtner to slot home.  Liverpool rarely bothered Sunderland's goal.

Everton lost 3-0 at Anfield to a Gerrard hatrick and although the score doesn't do Everton any justice, the result was probably the right one. Everton did seem to rest a few players with one eye on the cup. Drenthe, Cahill, Jelavic and Osman were on the bench and might all feature from the start on Saturday.

You can be sure of a real tough battle with both sets of players set to give it all as  Moyles and O'Neill won't settle for less. The key could be  the suspension of Sessegnon and especially Catermole  in midfield, and I can see Everton wanting to press on and avoid a draw.

Result: Everton 10/11 with Skybet Place Bet Now

Value Bet: Jelavic to score first 11/2 with Bet Victor Place Bet Now

Tottenham v Bolton  -  Sat 17^th March 17.30  ESPN

Harry will see this as a great chance to get Tottenham's season back on track. A win against lowly Bolton would bolster their confidence for the run in and guarantee them a trip to Wembley. They were unfortunate against Everton and Man Utd in the league so shouldn't have any problems at home to Bolton.

The trotters will see this as a welcome distraction from their relegation battle and shouldn't be overawed heading into this game as the underdog. A fine win at home against QPR sets them up nicely for the visit to the lane. Although this could well end up as a day in the City for the Bolton faithful as Tottenham should be too strong.

Result: Tottenham 1/3 with Paddy Power Place Bet Now

Value Bet:Tottenham to win by 2 goals 3/1 with Bet 365 Place Bet Now

Chelsea v Leicester  -  Sun 18^th March 14.05  ESPN

We're going online before Chelsea face Napoli on Wednesday night so won't really know how much Chelsea's season will henge on this Cup game. Chelsea at home to Leicester should be a home banker but they have had some shockers at home and getting knocked out of the champions league could well have an adverse affect on them. Leicester are flying the lower league flag and come into this game after winning midweek at home to Birmingham. They came from behind to win 3-1 with Beckford hitting the net twice. They certainly won't be a walkover but again will have to be on top form, with Chelsea underplaying and have a large slice of luck to win at the bridge.

Result: Chelsea 2/7 with Stan James Place Bet Now

Value Bet: Draw Half Time – Chelsea Full Time 7/2 with Bet Fred Place Bet Now

Liverpool V Stoke  -  Sun 18^th March  16.00  ITV

I had this down for a draw before Liverpool's mid week performance against Everton but now I'm swaying to a home win. A few goals is exactly what they needed and they have also beaten Stoke at Anfield already this season as well as knocking them out of the Carling cup.

Stoke City fought well at the Bridge last weekend with 10 men but eventual lost 1-0. They seem to be getting their defence back on track with various clean sheets of late but are struggling up front. If they do win, it's mostly by the odd goal. Fuller will be suspended.

Result: Liverpool 4/9 with Paddy Power Place Bet Now

Value bet: Half Time Draw – Full Time Draw – 11/2 with William Hill Place Bet Now

A £20 accumulator would net £94 with Paddy Power Place Bet Now