PL and FA Cup Preview: Chelsea, Spurs and Wigan aiming for success

Published:
Mauricio Pochettino

Tips and previews on the domestic action

There are four ties from the Premier League and four ties from the FA Cup to get stuck into this weekend.

Tottenham Hotspur, Manchester United and Chelsea are among eight teams hoping to make it through to the semi-finals at Wembley. Meanwhile, Wigan Athletic will be looking to continue their cup heroics against Southampton. Liverpool host Watford in the pick of the Premier League action.

The Coral News Team have looked over all of the weekend’s big matches and come up with a five-pronged preview for your enjoyment…

Cup Kings Wigan go again

New Southampton boss Mark Hughes could have a rude awakening at the DW Stadium on Sunday. Hosts Wigan have a formidable home record in this season’s competition.

The Latics have won three in a row against Premier League opposition. They saw off champions-elect Manchester City in the last round and are yet to concede a single goal on home turf in this season’s FA Cup.

Southampton, by contrast, are winless in three and have won just four games since the end of November. They may have a new manager, but that may not be enough against the rampant Latics. You can back Wigan at 13/5 to Win the Tie. It’s 19/4 they Win to Nil, while Will Grigg is considered the most likely goalscorer at 2/1 Anytime.

Six-pointer in West Yorkshire

There’s no bigger game in the Premier League this weekend than Huddersfield Town v Crystal Palace. Both clubs are in serious relegation danger and require a win to ease the pressure ahead of the final run-in.

The Terriers are in marginally better form following victories against West Bromwich Albion and AFC Bournemouth in recent weeks. They also beat Palace on the opening day courtesy of a brace from Steve Mounie and a Joel Ward own goal.

Roy Hodgson’s men, on the other hand, are winless in seven. However, they’ve looked much better of late. The South Londoners were unlucky not to beat Manchester United and should’ve taken a point from Chelsea last week. Two battling sides could cancel each other out at the John Smith’s Stadium. It’s 21/10 for the Draw.

Can Chelsea regroup after Barca defeat?

After being dumped out of the Champions League by Barcelona, and with a top-four place unlikely, Chelsea mustnow prioritise the FA Cup. The Blues haven’t won the competition since 2012 but are considered the 10/3 third-favourites for this year’s trophy.

If recent history is anything to go by, they should make light work of Leicester City on Sunday. The West Londoners are unbeaten against the Foxes in seven FA Cup matches. They’ve lost just once against the East Midlanders since 2001.

Both sides should harbour ambitions of winning this season’s competition, making this encounter an intriguing match-up. Leicester are available at 12/5, with Chelsea at 11/10.

Jamie Vardy should get plenty of joy against a creaking Blues defence. He’s 17/10 to nab his seventh goal of 2018 in the Anytime market.

Intriguing clash at Anfield

Matches involving these two clubs have produced 193 goals in the Premier League so far this season. On that basis, we should be in for an exciting evening at Anfield on Saturday.

Liverpool are heavy favourites for the clash at 2/11, with Watford available at 18/1. The Reds will be eager to bounce back in destructive style after a disappointing defeat to Manchester United last weekend. It’s 7/4 for Liverpool to Win and Both Teams to Score. Mohamed Salah is 23/10 to Score 2 or More in the contest.

Kane-less Spurs wary of Swans tie

Tottenham have struggled in the FA Cup this season. The North Londoners required replays against Newport County and Rochdale in the previous two rounds. They’ll be without Harry Kane from the off in South Wales and could find it difficult against the in-form Swans.

Carlos Carvalhal’s side, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their previous six FA Cup matches. They’ve lost just once in 14 in all competitions and have won seven on the bounce at home. If Spurs aren’t at it, then the Welsh club could punish them.

You can get 7/1 about a Swansea victory with a Spurs success available at 4/9. It’s 13/4 for the Draw. Both teams have found the back of the net in seven of the last nine iterations of this fixture. It’s 23/20 for BTTS to land at the Liberty this weekend.

Big match previews, betting tips and transfer news – Coral have it all.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing

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