It is a busy few days for a number of teams across England with the midweek 5th Round of the FA Cup taking place tonight and tomorrow night, plus two crucial Premier League games getting underway on Wednesday night too.
This next phase of the FA Cup is slightly different to the past two rounds. Now, any games that finish as a draw at 90 minutes will go to extra time and then, if required, penalties in order to decide the winner on the night.
So with no more replays offering teams a second chance at winning the game, the onus is very much on the teams to go out and earn themselves a quarterfinal spot which would put them just one win away from a Wembley semifinal.
Meanwhile, the two Premier League games could have major implications for how things stand at the top and the bottom of the Premier League table as we head into a busy weekend of games, which includes a massive game at Anfield between Liverpool and Manchester United.
So with so many key games coming up this week, it is important to note that bet365 Sport is offering excellent betting options on all those games, with hundreds of pre-match markets to pick from as well as outstanding In-Play betting once the games get underway.
Let’s now take a look at this week’s matches starting with the four FA Cup games that will kick things off on Thursday.
FA Cup Fifth Round
Tuesday 28th February
- 7.15pm – Stoke City v Brighton
The opening FA Cup Fifth Round tie starts at the Bet365 Stadium with the home side, Stoke City hosting the in-form Brighton. Stoke have had some decent cup runs in recent years, even reaching the final in the 2010/11 season where they lost 1-0 to Manchester City. However, I think they could come unstuck here against a Brighton team in excellent form this season and who have already been strong on the road in this competition.
Correct Score Tip – Stoke City 0-2 Brighton – 6/1
- 7.30pm – Leicester City v Blackburn Rovers
With Blackburn occupying one of the playoff spots in the Championship and Leicester down in the bottom half of the Premier League table, this should be a relatively close game at the King Power Stadium. That said, I still very much fancy Leicester to land the win because since James Maddison has returned they have looked a far more potent attacking threat. Don’t get me wrong, the Foxes are still under-performing but a good cup run could rescue their season, so I am going for them to land a good win here.
Correct Score Tip – Leicester City 3-1 Blackburn Rovers – 10/1
- 7.45pm – Fulham v Leeds United
Fulham shocked Leeds with a 3-2 victory at Elland Road when the teams last met back in October and it is hard to see Leeds being able to overcome Fulham here, especially when they are struggling for form, in contrast to the Londoners who have been picking up very good wins in recent times. Fulham are not confidently in the top half of the table for nothing and I think the extra class they have in key areas, notably defence, will be their ticket to the quarterfinals here.
Correct Score Tip – Fulham 2-0 Leeds United – 10/1
- 8.00pm – Bristol City v Manchester City
Last time these two teams met it was in a two-legged Carabao Cup semi final and Bristol City pushed Manchester City hard in both games, losing 2-1 in Manchester and then 3-2 at Ashton Gate in what was a spirited performance by the lower league side. This fixture does tend to produce goals at both ends of the field but I feel City are probably as strong if not stronger now while Bristol City may not bet, hence I am going for a slightly bigger Manchester City win here.
Correct Score Tip – Bristol City 1-3 Manchester City – 10/1
Wednesday 1st March
- 7.15pm – Southampton v Grimsby Town
These two teams meet for the first time in over 40 years and last time out, it took two replays, both drawn 0-0, before Southampton claimed the win with a 4-1 victory. This Saints team has struggled for form of late with just one win and four losses in their last five, form which has left them bottom of the Premier League table. Grimsby’s form is slightly better but they are a new League Two team having been promoted only last season. As such, you would expect the Premier League side to come out on top here.
Correct Score Tip – Southampton 3-0 Grimsby Town – 15/2
- 7.30pm – Burnley v Fleetwood Town
Runaway Championship leaders Burnley have been in great form of late and are unbeaten in their last 13 games. They face a Fleetwood side that have have won four of their last five in League One but who still sit in mid-table. Burnley’s stronger squad added to home advantage means that all I can see here is a win for Vincent Kompany’s men who look set to make a quick return to the Premier League as well as the FA Cup Quarter Final here.
Correct Score Tip – Burnley 2-0 Fleetwood Town – 5/1
- 7.45pm – Manchester United v West Ham United
After landing their first trophy for a while last weekend in the Carabao Cup Final, Manchester United have had their sights set on this game since. Five of the last six between the two teams have finished in a 1-0 scoreline with United winning four of those to West Ham’s one. I expect another closely fought contest here and yes, one goal may be enough to win the tie once again. I was almost tempted to go for an extra time win here but I am backing the home side to get this won in the 90 minutes.
Correct Score Tip – Manchester United 1-0 West Ham United – 13/2
- 8.00pm – Sheffield United v Tottenham Hotspurs
Can the Blades secure an upset win over Tottenham on Wednesday’s last FA Cup 5th Round tie? The home side have been in good form this season and sit second in the Championship behind Burnley, although a few points off the top side. Spurs form has been erratic of late but they have won three of their last four away games and four of their last five games in total. I envisage the Londoners to have just too much quality in attack for the home side to handle here.
Correct Score Tip – Sheffield United 1-3 Tottenham Hotspurs – 12/1
Premier League
Wednesday 1st March 2023
- 7.45pm – Arsenal v Everton
Arsenal will know a win here would see them move five points clear of Manchester City in the title race and that should be a huge incentive for the Gunners here. Everton have an equally powerful reason to want to win this game as the Blues dropped back into the relegation zone at the weekend. Sean Dyche masterminded a 1-0 win over Arsenal when the teams met back in January but I fully expect the home side to gain a degree of revenge for that surprise loss here.
Correct Score Tip – Arsenal 2-0 Everton – 11/2
- 8.00pm – Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Liverpool and Wolves clash for the fourth time in the space of two months. The first game was an FA Cup draw at Anfield, followed by Liverpool winning the replay at Molyneux but Wolves gained revenge with a superb 3-0 win over the Reds last time out at the start of February. That brought to an end a run of wins against Wolves for Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp knows that his misfiring side must win these kind of games to have any chance of closing the gap on the top four. It’ll be a battle, but I am backing the home side to sneak it.
Correct Score Tip – Liverpool 2-1 Wolves – 17/2