Manchester City are still favourites to lift the trophy after being drawn at home to the Blues and punters should jump at the chance to back Jose Mourinho’s men as underdogs
There were plenty of gasps when the balls were drawn for the last 16 of the FA Cup, pairing heavyweights with heavyweights to blow the competition wide open.
Manchester City saw their odds drop to 10/3 (4.33) after being drawn at home to Chelsea, although Manuel Pellegrini’s men are still favourites to go all the way after so narrowly missing out in the final last season.
However, having recently become the first Premier League team to take anything away from the Etihad this season with their 1-0 win, the Blues will have nothing to fear when they revisit the ground less than a fortnight later, particularly given their strong FA Cup record.
Jose Mourinho was the first manager to lift the trophy at the new Wembley back in 2007 and offers excellent value at 11/2 (6.50) to bring the cup back to Stamford Bridge for the fourth time in six seasons, with those odds sure to tumble dramatically should they get past City.
Arsenal’s excitement at seeing two of the favourites paired together was short-lived after they drew Liverpool, although Arsene Wenger’s team are still priced behind only Manchester City at 9/2 (5.50) to end their trophy drought by reclaiming the FA Cup eight years after their previous triumph.
Having won just one of their last 16 away matches against the Gunners, that draw has seen Brendan Rodgers’ men drop to 8/1 (9.00) to win the competition for the eighth time in their illustrious history.
All of this is good news for Merseyside neighbours Everton, where manager Roberto Martinez is on offer at 5/1 (6.00) to collect the trophy he won with Wigan last season after a comparatively kind draw sees them take on currently managerless Swansea City 33/1 (34.00).
Capital One Cup finalists Sunderland are available at 25/1 (26.00) to come out on top in another all Premier League tie against Southampton 12/1 (13.00) and emerge victorious in a second trip to Wembley this season.
Holders Wigan are 100/1 (101.00) outsiders to retain their trophy after being drawn away to Cardiff 25/1 (26.00), whose fellow Premier League outfit Hull are on offer at 33/1 (34.00) after a tricky away draw at Championship Brighton 50/1 (51.00).
After their shock win over Fulham, League One Sheffield United are available at 200/1 (201.00) to make it past Nottingham Forest 66/1 (67.00) and go all the way, while neighbours Sheffield Wednesday are rated at 100/1 (101.00) after being drawn against Charlton 200/1 (201.00).
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Al Hain-Cole is an experienced tipster and avid follower of European football. He specialises in accumulators and if you would like to read more from Al you can follow him on Twitter here.