Watford v Wolves Betting tips: Exciting duo to produce cup classic?
Preview and odds for FA Cup semi-final
You can be sure Wembley will be rocking on Sunday afternoon when Watford and Wolves go toe-to-toe for a place in the 2019 FA Cup Final.
Both sides have been excellent this season, and are sitting nicely in the top half of the Premier League.
The pair boast plenty of attacking quality, so we could be in for a cracking cup tie. It kicks off at 4.00pm, live on BT Sport 2. Before that though, here’s everything you need to know…
Head-to-head
These sides have only met once in the last five years, with Watford winning 2-0 at Molineux in October.
Form-wise the pair are enjoying decent runs right now. Javi Gracia’s Hornets have won six of their last nine in all competitions, while Nuno Espirito Santo’s Wolves enjoying seven wins from 12.
Likely XIs
With Premier League safety long-since assured, both managers will go full-steam ahead for a chance at FA Cup glory.
Troy Deeney will lead the line for the Hornets, with Garcia to make a choice between Gerard Deulofeu or Andre Gray as his strike partner.
Abdoulaye Doucoure and Etienne Capoue have formed a formidable bond in the midfield, and will be the core of Watford’s XI at Wembley. Will Hughes and Roberto Pereyra will provide the width.
For Santo and Wolves, Raul Jimenez and Diogo Jota will start top, with Joao Moutinho and Leander Dendoncker running the ship in midfield. Neither side has any major injury concerns or suspensions.
Key battles
Both sides like to play good football, with pace and movement. Wolves will need to watch out for Deeney. The Watford hitman enjoys a physical battle, and is a useful target for any long balls.
If Deulofeu gets the nod, the Spaniard will be tasked with running with the ball to create space. But if it’s Gray alongside Deeney, then the Wolves centre-halves will be kept particularly busy.
Jimenez and Jota have forged an excellent partnership for the Midlands side. Ruben Neves is capable of magic moments, and Watford can’t afford to allow him time and space.
The wide areas will be pivotal. Hughes and Pereyra will be up against Matt Doherty and Ruben Vinagre, and we’ll also be in for an excellent central midfield battle, with Doucoure and Capoue against Moutinho and Dendoncker.
Match odds
Our traders really aren’t sure how to call this one. Wolves have been handed slight favouritism to go through in 90 minutes at 31/20. But Watford are right in the hunt at 15/8.
To qualify, there’s 4/5 about Santo’s men, with the Hornets at Evens.
Should this go beyond the regulatory 90 minutes, there’s 10/1 about Wolves in extra-time, with Watford at 12s in the additional period.
And what about penalties? Our traders have 10/1 apiece about either side to reach May’s final via spot-kicks.
Who might be the hero? Jimenez heads up the first goalscorer betting at 7/2, with Jota and Deeney both at 11/2 to break the deadlock.
And should we be treated to a goal-laden classic, four goals or more in the 90 minutes can be backed at 3/1.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
