17 July 2020, by Carl Lewis

FA Cup Semi-Final Betting Preview and Predictions

Four massive clubs in English football will battle it out in two delicious FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley this weekend, a treat for fans and neutrals.

First up, Arsenal and Manchester City face off once again this season with the Citizens dominating this fixture in recent years. Manchester United and Chelsea put the race for a Premier League top-four spot on hold as they clash on Sunday.

We preview both FA Cup semi-finals.

Saturday 17 July

20:45 – Arsenal v Manchester City

Arsenal – 9.50

Draw – 5.60

Manchester City – 1.32

Thirteen-time winners Arsenal have won this tournament three times across the last six seasons, but face defending champions Manchester City who they’ve lost seven straight matches. Oddly, their last win over City victory was in an FA Cup semi-final.

Arsenal’s last three matches saw both teams score, as did two of their four FA Cup games this season. Since the restart, the Gunners have scored the first goal in seven of their nine matches.

Manchester City have scored exactly three goals in six of the last seven matches against Arsenal going onto win all seven including five clean sheets. It’s hard to see City not winning this one considering recent history, although Arsenal will be buoyed after their midweek win to Liverpool but do the Gunners have enough firepower for another big performance?

Best Bet: BTTS and over 2.5 goals at 2.00

Sunday 19 July

19:00 – Manchester Utd v Chelsea

Manchester Utd – 2.50

Draw – 3.35

Chelsea – 2.95

The single biggest factor in this match is the 48 hours more rest Chelsea had over Manchester United ahead of this massive clash. Chelsea beat Norwich 1-0 on Tuesday while United saw off Palace on Thursday. That two days of rest could prove vital for Chelsea considering United played a full-strength side.

In all competitions, Chelsea have won eight of their last ten fixtures. Their average margin of victory across those eight wins was 1.75 goals. There have been under 2.5 goals scored in eight of Chelsea’s last 10 games in the FA Cup.

Each of Man United’s last five FA Cup ties vs Premier League opposition have seen at least one goalless half – with four goalless first halves in that run. Furthermore, none of them produced a goal before the half-hour mark, though their last four FA Cup wins vs PL opponents have seen the 31st minute-HT period average 1.25 goals. United have also won the last three head to heads between the clubs including the last two away from home.

Best Bet: Manchester United to win at 2.50