Chelsea expected to see off Milton Keynes at first attempt
Exeter were unlucky not to win the mantle of giant-killers in the last round, but despite bookies remaining convinced that the eventual FA Cup winners will emerge from a small clutch of teams – Manchester City are Ladbrokes’ 5/1 favourites, with Arsenal and Chelsea both priced at 11/2 by Stan James – the fourth round ties could witness some unexpected results.
Could it happen at Milton Keynes Dons, where the home side host Chelsea?
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Hide AdWilliam Hill think not, installing the Londoners as their 1/2 odds-on favourites to make the fifth round at the first attempt.
MK Dons, by contrast, kick off priced as Betfred’s lengthy-looking 5/1 underdogs, while the draw is offered at an eye-catching 7/2 by BetVictor.com.
Chelsea are 7/1 (Betway) to win 2-0, but bolder backers might prefer the 7/1 marked by Coral for the tie to finish one apiece.
Earlier on Sunday, Everton face an awkward-looking tie against League Two Carlisle, a contest which promises everything the FA Cup can deliver.
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Hide AdNaturally enough, Roberto Martinez’s men open as Stan James’s 4/7 favourites to emerge victorious at the first attempt, but Carlisle will recognise the opportunity they have to bloody the nose of a top-flight outfit and at 15/2 (bet365), they appear massively overpriced.
Indeed, even the draw, available at 4/1 (Skybet), looks a little too frothy and punters in the market for a modicum of insurance could be persuaded to take advantage of this generous-looking price, although Ladbrokes’ 7/1 for Everton to win 2-0 is the correct score market’s most popular result.
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Weekend bets
Bournemouth to win at Portsmouth (7/5, bet365)
Crystal Palace to beat Stoke (6/5, Coral)
Hull to win at Bury (evens, Stan James)