WHEN it comes to the FA Cup, no one can argue with Arsenal, they’ve won it a record 14 times.
Darren Fletcher’s/Michael Carrick’s/Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Man United are next on 13 and the rest are out of sight.
But one mark even Mikel Arteta’s Gunners can’t hope to beat is the record six years that tomorrow’s third-round hosts Portsmouth held the trophy.
Pompey beat Wolves 4-1 in the last final before World War II in 1939 and kept the old girl safe until the competition returned in 1945-46.
It took them another 69 years to win it again, when Harry Redknapp took the likes of Sol Campbell (34 then), David James (38), Hermann
Hreidarsson (33) and matchwinner against Cardiff Nwankwo Kanu (31) for one Last Dance in 2008.
Since then, the South Coast giants have been to League Two and back, only returning to the Championship last season after a gap of 13 years.
BET BALLS
- Chelsea to win 3-0 at Charlton tonight is 9-1 with Sky Bet
- Leeds to win at Derby, BTTS, tomorrow is 3-1 with bet365
- Arsenal to win to nil at Portsmouth tomorrow is 21-20 with BetVictor
- Brighton to beat Man United, BTTS, tomorrow is 11-2 with William Hill
And John Mousinho’s side have found it heavy going, currently sitting a point above the relegation zone, earning them a best-priced quote of 12-1 with Betfred, Paddy Power and MGM to pull off the shock of the round.
As Coral’s John Hill said: “They seem to be a very hit and miss team, with nothing in between. Great on their day, very bad when they’re not.
“Arteta will rest players, but it still will be a strong XI, certainly good enough to win comfortably. Arsenal are 1-4 in the match betting, but I’d back them at 6-4, with -2 goals in the handicap market.”
With Man City faltering badly, the Gunners are starting to look home and hosed in the title race.
They also boast the only 100 per cent record in the Champions League. And not having won the FA Cup since 2020, there’s no reason why they won’t be taking the competition very seriously.
FA CUP OUTRIGHTS (best price): 9-2 Man City; 6-1 Liverpool; 13-2 Arsenal; 17-2 Chelsea; 12-1 Newcastle; 16-1 Man United; 20-1 Villa, Spurs; 25-1 Palace.
In what is shaping up as a historic season for the Emirati, they are now just a best-priced 38-1 with Paddy Power to bag a Treble – and 107-1 with Betway to get past Chelsea in the semis and go on to win the Carabao Cup as well.
William Hill’s Lee Phelps can only see one result tomorrow and said: “It’s hard to see Portsmouth getting past Arsenal here, but seeing their side score, which is a 5-6 chance, would leave the home crowd satisfied.”
Pompey were hammered 5-0 in their last game at Bristol City and I can see a similar outcome here. That is a best-priced 20-1 with bet365, with a more conservative 4-0 paying 11s with Star Sports and Sporting Index.
There’s no way round it for Pompey, it’s Gunner hurt.
Dark Horse
13-2: Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka is often unplayable for world’s best defenders.
So the 13-2 Betway are offering that he scores and has an assist against Pompey tomorrow looks like an invitation worth taking up.
TV PREVIEWS
Charlton v Chelsea
LIAM ROSENIOR probably can’t believe he’s in charge as eight-time winners Chelsea kick off their FA Cup campaign tonight.
And nobody will believe any excuses if they don’t brush aside Charlton at the Valley.
The Addicks are in freefall in the Championship – one win 11 games. While the Blues are without a win in five, that run is rightly 4-9 to end here.
Liam Delap is the first-scorer pick at 19-4 with MGM.
FORECAST: 0-3
Derby v Leeds
IF THIS game was in the 1970s, it would have dominated the back pages.
These heavyweights won two league titles each in the decade but Derby haven’t been in the Prem since 2008.
Now Championship midtable, they host a side who beat them twice on their way to promotion last term.
Leeds have lost one in eight and class will tell. Jack Harrison should feature and is 4-1 with Unibet to score anytime.
FORECAST: 1-3
Man United v Brighton
THOUGH Fergie’s motto was “Never Give Up,” even he must feel like it sometimes with the goings on at Old Trafford.
In the wake of Ruben Amorim’s exit, Darren Fletcher’s charged with keeping United’s season alive.
That won’t be easy against a Brighton side who’ve won on three of their last four visits – and who can upset the odds again.
Danny Welbeck is 15-2 with bet365 to strike first against his old side.
FORECAST: 1-2
TOP TIPS
Pro bet
Palace to win at Macclesfield, Hull to beat Blackburn, Birmingham to win at Cambridge, Luton to beat Stevenage, Bradford to beat Rotherham. Acca pays 14-1 with Coral.
Retirement bet
Sunderland to win at Everton, Doncaster to beat Southampton, Millwall to win at Burnley, Middlesbrough to win at Fulham, Stoke to beat Coventry, Walsall to win at Norwich, Accrington to beat Barnet, Colchester to win at Chesterfield. Perm 1 x Acca, 8 x 7-folds, 28 x 6-folds. Acca pays 71,697-1 with BetMGM.
Away day
Villa to win at Spurs, Cardiff at Orient, Bolton at Peterborough, Bromley at Tranmere. Acca pays 24-1 with BetMGM.
Top draw
Boreham Wood v Burton, Bristol City v Watford, Salford v Swindon, Stockport v Huddersfield. Acca pays 155-1 with Coral.
TV Special
Chelsea to win at Charlton, Leeds to win at Derby, Arsenal to win at Portsmouth, Brighton to win at Man United. Acca pays 10-1 with Coral.
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- Gamcare – gamcare.org.uk
- GambleAware – GambleAware.org
Read our guide on responsible gambling practices.
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.
*Midnite. 18+ New customers only. Place a £10+ bet at min odds 1/1 (2.0) within 14 days of sign-up. Get £30 in Free Bets, valid for 7 days on selected bets only. Free stake not returned with winnings. T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org
*Betfred. New customers only. Register, deposit with Debit Card, and place first bet £10+ at Evens (2.0)+ on Sports within 7 days to get 3 x £10 in Sports Free Bets & 2 x £10 in Acca Free Bets within 10 hours of settlement. 7-day expiry. Eligibility & payment exclusions apply. Full T&Cs apply.
*William Hill. 18+. Play Safe. From 00:01 on 18.10.2022. £30 bonus. New customers only. Minimum £10 stake on odds of 1/2 (1.5) or greater on sportsbook (excluding Virtual markets). Further terms apply.
*talkSPORT BET. 18+ New customers only. Opt in and bet up to £40 (min. £20) via mobile or app on any football (odds 1/1+) within 7 days of registration. Get up to £40 in free bets on selected markets, which expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply, see below. GambleAware.org | Please gamble responsibly
*Tote. New customers online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Only valid with code B10G40 on registration. £10 min qualifying bet at 1/1 (2.0) odds or greater across sports or racing (if EW then min £10 Win + £10 Place). Receive £20 Tote Credit, £10 Free Sports Bet and 50 Free Spins on a selected game within 48 hours of qualifying bet settlement. 7-day expiry on free bets & Tote Credit. Your first bet will be your qualifying bet. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply Gambleaware.org. Full T&Cs apply.
*Betfair: 18+. Place a min £10 bet on Sportsbook on odds of min EVS (2.0), get £50 in Free Bet Builders, Accumulators or multiples to use on any sport. Rewards valid for 30 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, Apple Pay or Debit Card will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
*Paddy Power: 18+. New Customer offer. Place a min £10 bet on Football on odds of min 1.5 (1/2), get £50 in Free Bet Builders after the qualifying bet has been settled. Rewards valid for 90 days. Only deposits via Pay by Bank, cards & Apple Pay will qualify. T&Cs apply. Please Gamble Responsibly.
*Sky Bet: 18+. New customers only. Football Accas only. 5 legs or more. Odds 1/1 or greater. 5 x £10 bet tokens. Free Bet stakes not included in returns. Free Bets for Football Accas (5+ legs) only. Free Bets non withdrawable. Free Bets expire after 30 days. Eligibility restrictions and further T&Cs apply.
*BetMGM. New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 x £10 football, 1 x £10 horse racing & 2 x £10 Bet Builders. Free Bets cannot be used on e-sports and non UK/IE horse racing. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org.
*Coral. 18+ New Customers only. Certain deposit methods & bet types excl. 1st Deposit & Bet £/€10+ at min odds 1/2 on Sports within 14 days of account reg & Get 4x £10 Free Bets (selected sportsbook markets only, valid 7 days) Max 1 Free Bet per player. Restrictions + T&Cs apply.
