Sunday Fa Cup

Some decent winners today. Some days there are strange results. I just watched the Chelsea game and cant believe that Barnsley beat them , deservingly i know but an amazing result all the same, and Manchester United!!! I was lucky enough to get a few quid on Pompey at 15 in running but that was down to luck more than anything else.
Anyway i hope that all the upsets are not over yet...


Middlesborough V Cardiff

Based on league form it would be safe to jump to the conclusion that Boro have the upper hand. Mid table in the premiership but still not quite safe from relegation.
Boro have taken 4 wins from a possible 14 at the Riverside this season and were unlucky not to take something from Liverpool last week at Anfield losing 3 – 2. Their main problem is creativity and although Downing is playing quite well, they tend to rely heavily on his delivery from set pieces to create any clear cut scoring chances.
Cardiff are on the back of a poor run in which they have failed to win any of the last 6 league games. However they have blossomed in the FA Cup and it might be fair to say that they seem to have one eye on the cup games. Despite the recent poor results they have not been playing all that badly and I really fancy them to get a result here.
A chance to play at Wembley for the semi final is a huge incentive for any team and this is the furthest Cardiff have been in the FA Cup since they became the only Welsh side to lift the trophy way back in 1927. Now they are a mere 90 minutes away from a big day out and at this stage of the competition with Arsenal and Manchster United out, anything is possible. Winning this game for Cardiff would be no more surprising than Coventry’s victory at Blackburn in the third round, Sheffield United’s success over Manchester City in the fourth round or indeed Barnsley’s shock win at Liverpool in the fifth round. Bear in mind that Cardiff are as good if not better than any of those championship sides and Middlesborough are arguably as poor as any of the premiership teams left in the cup.

Verdict
With only 4 wins at home this year Boro are far from a great home side. Cardiff have only been beaten 5 times on the road from 18 and you can expect them to be well up for this clash. I feel that this means a bit more to Cardiff and theres not a big difference between the sides in terms of ability. Given that this is a cup tie anything can happen so im siding with the visitors. They are best priced at 6 but il take them draw no bet as they have a tendency to draw away from home.

PICK
Cardiff draw no bet (4.2 @ boylesports) 3 points



Bristol Rovers V West Brom

Im approaching this one a little cautiously, as there has been so many shocks this weekend in the fa cup.
Theres a difference in class here as Bristol rovers are just hovering above the drop zone in Division one albeit with a few games in hand. The Baggies on the other hand are pushing for a place in the top flight and whether it’s automatic or via the play-offs I think they will get there.
Bristol’s results have improved over the last few weeks but a 1 – 0 defeat midweek to Doncaster highlighted their lack of creativity and firepower up front. They have based their gameplan around a good defence but it will be hard to see them keeping out a West Brom side who have amassed an amazing 71 goals in 35 league games, about two goals a game.

Verdict
West Brom have already gone to tough venues like Coventry and Peterborough in the FA Cup and won with ease. A journey to lower league opposition who struggle to score should not be too tough for them. Obviously a semi-final place is a huge incentive for both sides and with no major opposition left in the cup the Baggies will quietly fancy their chances of going all the way. West Brom to win this one for me.

PICK
West Brom -0.25 ( 1.8 @ stan james) 6 points