Rafa may complain about 11 men behind the ball after this one!

Quietly and without fuss, Rafa has been true to his word and put Liverpool firmly back in contention for the 4th spot but with games running out, Liverpool will need to win this one against Wigan. Martinez will have looked at the remaining games and surely there are easier points on offer for Wigan who have slid to a precarious position; Martinez would happily take the point from this and look to secure more from an away game at Bolton.

For all of the talk about attacking football, Wigan will not be leaving many gaps tonight and Liverpool will be pushed to break down Wigan’s defence, even if, as amticipated, they have the Lion’s share of possession and territory. A single goal could decide it.

Prediction - Liverpool to win 0-1

Best Bet - This could seem closer than you would anticipate and Wigan may be difficult to break down. Under 2.5 at 1.79 represents the best value tonight with a bet on Wigan to receive more bookings at 2.42 a likely winner too (Match Bookings).

Out of the FA Cup, out of Europe, Moyes needs to inspire his team

Everton are now out of the Cup, out of Europe and look mid-table unless David Moyes can get them back to the form they showed in the early part of 2010 and haul them back into the Europa League places for next season. Add to that a whole host of “niggling” injuries, Saha is out, Senderos and Vaughan face fitness tests and Osman and Jagielka are doubtful and it is all that David Moyes can do to re-ignite Everton’s season.

Hull travel to Goodison with with talisman Jimmy Bullard and whilst Hull may have an desire to stay in the Premier League, it looks less and less likely and Everton should be too strong today if Moyes can get some fight back into his side.

Prediction - Everton win 1-0

Best Bet - Back the Everton win at 1.47 on Betfair and take a stake in 1-0

Logic says Chelsea, heart says Stoke, we take the draw and maybe look for a trade

So far Chelsea have faced only Championship opposition in the FA Cup and beaten Watford, Preston and Cardiff, all at the first time of asking, Stoke will be a different proposition in a cup tie that will see two sides that like to “bully” go up against each other. Chelsea have been beaten in their last two games and lost their 15 month unbeaten home run to Man City so they are not invincible at Stamford Bridge anymore.

Stoke are “uncompromising” but also show flair and pace and then they always have the Delap-factor so they will fancy at least a draw here and then fancy their chances at beating Chelsea back at the Britannia. The Delap-factor will be important, Chelsea  have shown defensive frailties from set-pieces and Stoke will have substitutes warming up all game (with towels of course!).

Ray Wilkins says that Chelsea thoroughly enjoyed their FA Cup Final win last year and want more of the same and all logic should see Chelsea progress. But this is the Cup and Stoke seem to save their best for the Cup this season, so with Premier League status all but assured, they won’t want this FA Cup adventure to end and Chelsea may just be looking at League and Champions League success a little too much. I fancy Stoke to get their draw today.

Prediction -a 1-1 draw

Best Bet – Back the draw at 6.2

Agbonlahor could be good for a goal today at 2.7 or more on Betfair

Reading are the only surviving Championship side in the FA Cup and with wins over Burnley and Liverpool under their belt, they will be keen to add Aston Villa to their list of Premier League scalps. With nine successive home wins, home form is exceptional, but the gulf in class could be telling (31 league places!).

Aston Villa have already been in one Wembley Cup Final this year and the experience has left manager and players wanting more. Overall, Aston Villa should have the beating of Reading today, too strong defensively (especially if Richard Dunne is fit after injury in the Carling Cup Final) and too quick on the counter attack.

Prediction - Aston Villa to win away, 1-2 (at 9/1 on Betfair)

Best Bet - Back Villa to win at 1.97 and a small stake on the 1-2 scoreline

We take Berbatov to score at anytime against Wolves

So what side will Mick McCarthy name today, the same team as Wolves’ last game as all players seem fit and available, or will he “rest” players prior to a visit to Burnley next weekend, and will he get away with it? Intriguing!

United also have an issue over a resting (or non-resting of a player) with Sir Alex Ferguson less than happy that Wayne Rooney played so much of the England game mid-week and it seems almost certain that Rooney will at best start from the bench today.

Its hard to look past the Man United win away from home, but with Rooney the inspiration for this United team, they may be lacking that certain spark and it will be Berbatov, Valencia and Nani who will need to be at the top of their game for United to gain the three points and we may see Diouf taking advantage of a start, but it is Valencia that we predict will provide the impetus for a United win. Wolves don’t defend well at the best of times and if Valencia runs at them he will find opportunities to cut inside for a shot or to cross for Berbatov who we predict to score.

Prediction - an away win 0-2

Best Bet - The United win at 1.38 is easy money but the 0-2 at 6.6 on Betfair looks worth a small stake, together with Berbatov to score at 2.34

Back Bobby (Zamora) to score

Fulham are always a good bet at Craven Cottage and today should be no exception as they look to make it six wins ftom six at home. Tottenham have a growing injury list but are in good form themselves, so we can expect a close game and the close confines of The Cottage often produces a see-saw game with plenty of chances at either end.

We think that over 2.5 is nailed on today at 2.26 and would even suggest the option to 80/20 this with over 3.5 at 4.1.

Roy Hodgson and Fulham will need to win this today, they wont want the game to go back to White Hart Lane so expect an attacking performance from Fulham and Bobby Zamora to be getting plenty of chances, he is a whopping 3.45 or more to score at anytime in the game.

Prediction - Fulham to edge it 3-2

Best Bet - Zamora to score at anytime in the game at 3.45

A West Ham win today takes them well away from the relegation melee

Okay, so West Ham were beaten at old Trafford, but we expect that. At home, West Ham are five games unbeaten and we are confident thay will make it six today against a Bolton team that don’t seem to have scored away from home in the last decade or so! In fact, a West Ham home win is our Bet of the Day at 1.79 on Betfair.

Prediction - West Ham to climb away from the relegation contenders with a 2-0 home win

Best Bet - A home win for West Ham at 1.79 and a small stake in 2-0 at a tremendous 8/1

Arshavin and Diaby may return, Song and Ramsey are out

An easy game to predict a result (Burnley DONT DO away points) but far more difficult to turn a profit from the match odds of just 1.16 on Arsenal. Arsenal are now just three points off the pace and should easily bag three points today.

Arsenal could be rampant, so it may be best to look at scorelines and scorers (and the Arsenal Clean Sheet at 1.76 catches the eye).

I am very tempted by ANY UNQUOTED scoreline at 2/1 (3.05 on Betfair) and will also look to Bendtner, Fabregas and Arshavin (if he starts) to score.

Prediction - Arsenal to win 4-0 (9/1 available on Betfair)

Best Bet - Bendtner and Fabregas to score at 2.06 and 2.26 respectively

After securing winning bets (again!) mid-week, I am looking for four from four from my tips today with a couple of useful odds thrown in.

Championship

Blackpool v Ipswich Town

Blackpool could move into a play-off place with a win today and if  results go their way, their visitors are Roy Keane’s 17th placed Ipswich who have disappointed all season.

Blackpool Win Odds — 2.3

Coca Cola League One

Milton K Dons v Leyton Orient

The Dons still have ambitions of making the play offs but their in and out form sees them in 8th place in the league. Their visitors today are Leyton Orient who have not had the best of seasons so for as their 15th place shows.

Milton Keynes Dons Win Odds — 1.92

Norwich City v Yeovil Town

Norwich will continue their winning ways in search of that automatic promotion place against a Yeovil team which is having an OK season but their league position of 12th is a fair reflection of their performances.

Norwich City Win Odds — 1.4

Coca Cola League Two

Rochdale v Lincoln City

Table toppers Rochdale got back to winning ways and scoring goals in mid week this result moved them 8 point clear at the top. Lowly Lincoln are the visitors today and could concede more than a couple of goals!

Rochdale Win Odds 1.39

I recommend going for over 2.5 goals Odds 1.93 (far better value)

Can Pompey's Cup campaign continue after today? We think "YES"

Portsmouth v Birmingham promises to be a “proper” FA Cup tie and a far closer game than the relative League positions and points tallies would indicate.

Portsmouth will be without Richard Rocha who begins a suspension and Kevin-Prince Boateng is out with ankle problems. Aaron Mokoena is a doubt due to knee ligament damage, but Jamie O’Hara could play despite back trouble. Birmingham face a late fitness test for James McFadden, and if ruled out, Kevin Phillips should deputise.

Pompey seem fired up for Cup games and though we have said it before, they are not a poor team, merely a team distracted and understandably so. But Avram Grant has his team in the best of order for FA Cup games and if Pompey take the lead, it will be “tin-hat time” with many neutrals counting the minutes down with loyal Pompey fans!

Birmingham knocked out Everton in this Cup campaign and combined with their form earlier in the season in the league, they clearly have claims in this match, but I fear that somewhere along the way, Birmingham settled for mid-table and have only scored 5 goals in this cup campaign and haven’t set the world alight. I side with Pompey, or better, I would LAY Birmingham, giving me the Pompey win and the draw on my side. Dont expect too many goals, and Under 2.5 can be backed at 1.65. If it goes to a replay, I would side with Birmingham.

Prediction - Pompey 1-0

Best Bet - LAY Birmingham at 3.4 on Betfair