FA Cup betting tips: Swansea v Tottenham and Man Utd v Brighton in the last eight
Although Man Utd and Spurs badly need to keep their FA Cup run going on Saturday, Paul Higham thinks they'll find tough opposition in Brighton and Swansea.
Saturday's FA Cup recommended bets
1pt Swansea and Tottenham draw in 90 minutes at 7/2
2pts Romelu Lukaku to score & Man Utd win at 11/10
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Swansea v Tottenham (1215 GMT, BT Sport 1)
The main point to emerge from Tottenham’s Champions League loss to Juventus was that it’s now time for Mauricio Pochettino to start winning trophies along with plaudits, and this now represents their last chance of the season.
Tottenham will have to do it without the injured Harry Kane, but that means that former Swansea striker Fernando Llorente will most likely be given the chance to haunt his own side.
Spurs have a great recent record against the Swans as they’re unbeaten in the last 15, but Carlos Carvalhal has transformed this team, especially at home where they’ve won their last seven and have just one defeat in 14.
Swansea also love the FA Cup, so much so that they’ve played two games in every round so far after winning at home three times in replays – although Spurs are partial to a replay themselves having needed an extra game at Wembley to see-off Rochdale and Newport.
There are no replays in the quarter-finals this year, but the draw, at 10/3, will still be a popular bet and we could see extra time in what is the first FA Cup meeting between these two sides.
Tottenham, you feel, still have enough in the locker to get it done at the first time of asking – Son Heung-Min in particular has been in great form and has nine goals in his last ten FA Cup starts, but they'll have to work overtime to do it.
Swansea showed they can tough it out though with a battling draw at Huddersfield despite playing most of the game with ten men, and although Spurs are a class above the Terriers the hosts have enough to keep it close, it could take extra time to separate them.
Score prediction: Swansea 1-1 Tottenham (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)
Best bet: Swansea and Tottenham draw in 90 minutes at 7/2
Alternative bet: Half-time/full-time - draw/draw at 5/1
Manchester United v Brighton (1945 GMT, BT Sport 2)
Much like Spurs, this game took on far more importance for Jose Mourinho after they were dumped out of the Champions League by Sevilla on Tuesday - and only a convincing victory will settle some restless Old Trafford fans.
The good news among all the doom and gloom after the Sevilla result is that United are still in the FA Cup and if Brighton play similar to how they did at Everton last weekend it will not be a tough task for the hosts to make the semi-finals.
United have performed well in the competition so far this season, they're yet to concede and have scored eight in their three games so far, and it will need the same Brighton side that has won the last four at home to try and replicate that form on the road to test them.
It will be what they term a 'free hit' for Chris Hughton's men though, going to Old Trafford as massive 9/1 underdogs, but they will have to find their scoring boots as they failed to find the net in six of their last nine away games.
United have lost three of their last four FA Cup quarter-finals, and rumblings will start again should they not get ahead early, and Hughton will be telling his players to stay in the game as long as they can.
Ultimately though, even if Mourinho makes changes he can still put out a side too strong for the visitors, even if they may have to work hard to get through to the semi-finals.
Glenn Murray has been in fantastic goal scoring form and after Sevilla caused United so many problems he carries Brighton's best chance of finding the net.
Score prediction: Man Utd 2-1 Brighton (Sky Bet odds: 17/2)
Best bet: Romelu Lukaku to score & Man Utd win at 11/10
Alternative bet: Glenn Murray to score in 90 minutes at 3/1
Last updated at 0900 GMT 16/03/2018.
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