The weekend’s football kicks off with a Premier League clash between West Brom and Liverpool.
The Baggies kept their hopes alive of staying in the top league with victory over Manchester United last weekend, but now need to duplicate the effort against high-flying Liverpool today.
The Reds, by contrast, are playing with extreme confidence after reaching the semifinal of the Champions League. They dismissed Bournemouth 3-0 last weekend, and a similar result would be likely today if it wasn’t for that upcoming semi. Will they rest some key players ahead of Tuesday?
And it’s not like Liverpool have had it easy against West Brom this season. The Baggies dumped them out of the FA Cup earlier in the season and achieved a goalless draw in the reverse fixture.
We think Liverpool will have too much for the hosts, providing most key players turn up, but it won’t be easy. We take the Reds to win by one goal.
Today’s second televised game is the day’s highlight, the first FA Cup semifinal between Manchester United and Tottenham.
Both teams are virtually guaranteed a Champions League place for last season, and so can throw everything at this match.
United will be keen to keep things tight as an open, fluent game is more likely to suit Spurs. And they are managed by a serial winner.
Tottenham will be glad they are playing at Wembley, their new home venue, but they have lost each of their last seven FA Cup semifinals, a dreadful record.
We think this points to United going through, but the game is likely to be very tight. Therefore we’ll take the 9/2 on offer at Paddy Power that United either win in extra time or on penalties.
Recommendations:
West Brom/Liverpool: Liverpool to win by one goal, 1 pt, at 23/10, Paddy Power
Manchester United/Tottenham: United to win in extra time or penalties, 1 pt, at 9/2, Paddy Power
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