FA Cup Lines, Betting Picks, and Analysis for the 4th Round Games

Previous Betting News

The English Premier League takes a breather this weekend. From January 22 through January 24, EPL teams battle teams from other English soccer clubs in the English FA Cup. One EPL versus EPL at the English FA Cup match is Liverpool against Manchester United on Sunday. We analyze and make a free pick for that huge game as well as some of other more interesting FA Cup battles happening this weekend. Let’s take a closer look at some of the upcoming Round 4 matches so you can get all set and make your bets against their FA Cup odds. 

Top English FA Cup Games to Watch this Weekend (Jan. 22 – Jan. 24)

Friday, January 22nd Match

Wolverhampton -2 ½ (-105) / Chorley +2 ½ (-131)

Chorley has won 3 in a row. Let’s not kid ourselves, though. Victories against Wigan Athletic, Peterborough United, and Derby County won’t help the underdogs versus a solid Premier League squad like Wolverhampton. But will the Wanderers beat Chorley by more than 2 goals? Because Wolverhampton offers a better payout, we’re going to hope the Wanderers do. 

Soccer Free Pick: Wolverhampton

Saturday, January 23rd Matches

Plymouth Argyle +552 / Sheffield United -263

The odds imply Sheffield dominates. They probably will, but Plymouth Argyle has played some good soccer this month. They drew versus Crewe Alexandra in their last. Plymouth beat Huddersfield Town on January 9. We’re taking a shot. 

Soccer Free Pick: Plymouth Argyle

Blackpool +1 ½ (-151) / Brighton & Hove -1 ½ (+108)

In their last match against an English Premier League squad, Blackpool played great. They upset West Brom via penalty kicks. Brighton is a better team than West Brom. Also, we can’t lay the -151 on the Blackpool handicap. B&H is the play.

Soccer Free Pick: Brighton & Hove

Doncaster +1 ½ (-103) / West Ham -1 ½ (-111)

The Doncaster Rovers are 4-1 on the moneyline in their last 5. Too bad they’re up against hot West Ham United on Saturday. West Ham has won 3 in a row, including beating Everton and Burnley. They drew with Southampton on Dec. 29. Laying the goal and a half makes sense. 

Soccer Free Pick1: West Ham

Crawley Town +466 / Bournemouth -212

Crawley Town has 4 wins and a draw in their last 5. We’d say the wins weren’t quality but in their last match, they beat Leeds United 3-0. Bournemouth lost 0-1 to Luton Town on January 16. Crawley can notch a big upset win.

Soccer Free Pick: Crawley Town

Bristol City +252 / Millwall +102

Nottingham Forest beat Millwall 3-1 in their last. That’s not a good sign. Although Millwall is the chalk, Bristol City has won 3-of-4. Still, Millwall beat Bristol 2-0 on December 15. We’ll back the home team at better than expected odds. 

Soccer Free Pick: Millwall

Manchester City -2 ½ (-114) / Cheltenham Town +2 ½ (-120)

Sometimes, the Sky Blues lay off when they battle teams that aren’t nearly as good as they are. Cheltenham Town doesn’t come close to Man City. If this were an English Premier or Champions League match, we’d say go with Man City to cover the handicap. It isn’t.

Soccer Free Pick: Cheltenham Town

Sunday, January 24th Matches

Luton Town +2 (-114) / Chelsea -2 (-119)

Chelsea dominated their last English FA opponent, Morecambe, 4-0. Luton Town is much better that Morecambe. LT beat Bournemouth 2-0 in their last FA Cup game. They can hang with Chelsea. Consider both Luton at +2 and the draw. We like the draw. 

Soccer Free Pick: Draw

Burnley +212 / Fulham +116

Burnley has lost their last couple. The good news? They played tough in both. In their last couple, Fulham drew with Tottenham and lost 0-1 versus Chelsea. The home favorite figures to get it done on Sunday.   

Soccer Free Pick: Fulham

Liverpool +145 / Manchester United +150

On January 17, Pool and Man United drew 0-0. Not much will have changed when these two battle in an English FA Cup match on January 24. One thing that will change? Man United gets Pool at Old Trafford for the rematch. That’s enough of a reason to back United to upset Pool on the moneyline.  

Soccer Free Pick: Manchester United

Previous Betting News

Last week saw the return of European club competitions to the soccer betting action, with both the Champions League and Europa League back for the knock-out stages. It is those competitions that we will mainly be focusing on here, although we will also have an FA Cup tie to talk about for the Monday game, with constant soccer odds favorite Manchester City continuing their quest for a huge trophy haul this season.

The games we have chosen to focus on here are just a very small selection of the soccer games that are available to wager on this week, so be sure to check out the complete list. For now, let’s get started with our top soccer betting picks of the week.

Top Soccer Betting Picks of the Week – February 19th

Wigan vs. Manchester City

• When: Monday, February 20
• Tournament: FA Cup

As it stands right now, Manchester City is still in with a shot at winning 4 trophies this season, which should give you some idea of how good they have been. A win here would take them into the quarter-finals of the FA Cup, where they would face Southampton.

This looks like a comfortable game on paper, but let’s not forget that Wigan took a Premier League scalp in the last round when they beat West Ham. This is a much tougher proposition, though, and I believe the best that they can hope for is a draw and a replay. Just don’t see it happening, though.

Score Prediction: Wigan 1 – Manchester City 2

Bayern Munich vs. Besiktas

• When: Tuesday, February 20
• Tournament: UEFA Champions League

The Round of 16 continues on Tuesday with Besiktas heading to Germany for the first leg of this tie. Bayern has been in great form in Bundesliga play, already building up a 19-point lead at the top. This is going to be a tricky tie for them, as Besiktas were very good in the Group Stage, and were, in fact, the first Turkish team to top a Champions League group in the history of the competition.

These two last met in the 97/98 version of the Champions League, with Bayern winning both games 2-0. More of the same here I believe.

Score Prediction: Bayern Munich 2 – Besiktas 0

Sevilla vs. Manchester United

• When: Wednesday, February 21
• Tournament: UEFA Champions League

This will be the first-ever meeting for these two teams in European competition, but United manager Jose Mourinho does have a history against Sevilla. In his time in charge of Madrid, he put together a 7-1 record against Sevilla, with his team scoring 23 and surrendering 6.

Those meetings may have no bearing on this one, though, as both teams are going well in their respective domestic leagues. Paul Pogba missed the game on the weekend for United but should be back for this one. Although look for the Red Devils to take more of a defensive stance here, which is why a draw should be your Soccer Betting Pick for this one.

Score Prediction: Sevilla 0 – Manchester United 0

Atalanta vs. Borussia Dortmund

• When: Thursday, February 22
• Tournament: UEFA Europa League

By the time Thursday comes to an end, the Europa League will be down to just 16 teams. There are some big second leg ties to come on Thursday afternoon, but perhaps none bigger than this one. The first leg of this tie was a beauty, with Dortmund coming away with a 3-2 win.

Those two away goals for the Italians could loom large here, as all they really need is a 1-0 win in the home leg on Thursday. Dortmund really cannot afford to sit back and defend, so I think we are going to have another open game, with the OVER perhaps being the best bet.

Score Prediction: Atalanta 2 – Borussia Dortmund 2