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FA Cup fourth round betting tips: The potential upsets and shocks backed to happen
By Tom Carnduff
Football
Fri February 13, 2026 · 16h ago
Football betting tips: FA Cup
Saturday

1pt Burton to beat West Ham (12:15) at 15/2 (bet365, Paddy Power)

Sunday

1pt Birmingham to beat Leeds (12:00) at 13/5 (General)

1pt Stoke to beat Fulham (14:00) at 7/2 (General)

Note: All bets are 'normal time' (i.e. in 90 minutes/not extra-time and penalties) only
Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair


Mansfield beat Sheffield United having been backed at 13/2 to do so, yet QPR took West Ham to extra-time (5/1 for the win) while Wrexham failed to capitalise on a commanding position to also go beyond the 90 minutes as a 4/1 shot against Nottingham Forest.

I'm always uncertain whether or not to continue into the fourth round given the fixture list, of course, reduces. There's far less to go at and you're hoping the draw is kind enough to open up some potential.

That looks to be the case this time around with a fair few Premier League clubs drawn away. Nine in total are on the road with only two of those involved in all-top-flight clashes.

Others are given virtually free passes through to the fifth round. Manchester City host Salford having hammered Exeter of a league above 10-1 a few weeks ago while Arsenal take on a managerless Wigan.

As ever, I'll include the usual disclaimer that it could go very wrong and we have to accept that's a part of it. Ultimately, we're often siding with teams who play a division or two below their opponent and should the favourite go strong in their team selection, we may end up with a long 90 minutes ahead.

Burton vs West Ham
Kick-off: Saturday, 12:15 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats
A quick glance at the Sky Bet League One table will have you believe this should be a straightforward win for West Ham, even if they're having problems of their own.

The Brewers are 21st and well in the mix of a good handful of teams who are real relegation contenders this season.

The thing is...Burton are a bit weird.

Against those around them, they don't pick up a great deal (although they did thrash Northampton 5-1 not too long ago). In 13 games against those 15th or lower, they've won just two while drawing four more.

Focus on games against those at the top and you can see they're a real nuisance. They've won four of ten against teams in the top six with two ending in draws. All four defeats were by a single goal.

Tyrese Shade
Burton have proven to be an awkward opponent for top League One teams
Three of those defeats were away as well while the sole home loss to Lincoln happened in mid-September. Just the other week they held Cardiff - the side who should end up winning the league - to a 2-2 draw having beaten them in Wales earlier in the campaign.

West Ham have been improved and find themselves on a good run of form but focus is surely on their own relegation battle and a trip to a League One team who can be awkward just jumps out as a potential upset.

A price of 15/2 is available with a few bookmakers on the BURTON WIN while they are 4/1 to qualify. Keeping with the spirit of the third round though, I'll side with the 90 minutes price.

West Ham opted for some rotation in that win over QPR but went with a strong front line. I'm hoping given their recent league form they won't want to risk some of those starters.

They've also played five games since the third round. Not only have they dragged themselves back into the picture but it's now much closer to the end of the campaign. I'm not sure how much they'll welcome further games knowing some of the others above them have European commitments.

In a meeting of two strugglers, I'll side with the hosts.

Birmingham vs Leeds
Kick-off: Sunday, 12:00 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 3
Live odds, form and stats
Leeds don't lose often. In fact, just two of their last 14 across all competitions have seen them leave with nothing - those being to Arsenal and Newcastle as well.

Daniel Farke's got his side going and they now hold a comfortable enough position in the battle to avoid Premier League relegation.

In fact, Opta give the Whites a 4.8% chance of relegation at this stage of the season - it's a 5.1% chance they finish in the top half.

But rotation is expected again here and Leeds don't operate with the biggest squad. Fringe players such as Sam Byram and Joël Piroe should make appearances in a likely line-up that will leave us scratching our heads trying to work out the formation.

Leeds beat Derby in the third round of the FA Cup
Leeds beat Derby in the third round of the FA Cup
BIRMINGHAM will fancy their chances of the upset in front of their own supporters and I think the 13/5 available on them TO WIN is appealing enough.

They may have missed a penalty but Leeds were 1-0 down to Derby in the last round before eventually winning 3-1. Going behind here will be a much tougher task.

The attack will likely feature Daniel James and Wilfried Gnonto so the visitors will carry a serious threat going forward. What I am hoping for with this selection though is a disjointed showing which often comes with making a number of changes.

This is also a Birmingham side who haven't lost at home since Hull beat them in mid-October. They've played 11 games since then with six ending in victory.

Stoke vs Fulham
Kick-off: Sunday, 14:00 GMT
TV: Discovery+
Live odds, form and stats
I'm honestly on the fence a little bit with this pick but at the prices on offer I think it's just about worth a go.

STOKE are 7/2 TO WIN when they host Fulham and I'm hoping we see similar in terms of team selection from the third round.

The Potters beat previous Sky Bet Championship leaders Coventry and had an XI out which resembled what was near enough their league side. Fulham beat Middlesbrough but opted to change around half of their starters.

That game was also at home whereas a trip on the road is a slightly different prospect.

Ultimately, Stoke just aren't great but their games are usually very tight. In fact, no side has seen more games go under 2.5 goals in the Sky Bet Championship this season (20 of their 32).

Mark Robins
Not a lot happens in the typical Stoke game
They've scored 19 times at home and conceded 14. Southampton became the only team to beat Stoke as a visiting side by greater than a one-goal margin in a recent 2-0 success.

Stoke haven't won in six now but I'm focusing on how low-event their games usually are. It could prove to be a good thing if they can restrict what could be a changed Fulham front line.

And they are led by Mark Robins, the man who guided Coventry to the FA Cup semi-finals in 2024 and a toenail offside denied them a spot in the final.

You're getting a similar price on Oxford to beat Sunderland at the same time, while League One strugglers Port Vale are shorter to beat Bristol City of the league above.

This game could be completely rubbish, which makes the hosts an attractive option at 7/2 if only a single goal is required.

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Qarabag vs Newcastle tips, predictions, best bets and Champions League preview
By Jimmy 'The Punt' Cantrill
Football
Wed February 18, 2026 · 35 min ago
Football betting tips: Champions League
2pts Both teams to score at 10/11 (bet365, Betfred)

0.25pt Qarabag to win and both teams to score at 12/1 (Sky Bet, BetVictor)

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |


TV: TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats
Newcastle might feel a little annoyed to be playing in the Champions League play-off round - and they have every right too.

They went to the Parc des Princes in their final league stage game with a chance of finishing in the top eight.

A spot in this round at the very least was already confirmed due to their goal difference, effectively giving them a free hit against PSG, but somewhat surprisingly Eddie Howe chose to rest and rotate.

He fielded a pretty conservative XI and tried to nick the game in the final 20 minutes when the cavalry arrived. Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon came on with a little over 20 minutes to go but a semi-fit Bruno Guimaraes played no part.

Howe’s plan almost worked perfectly as well but this is the type of decision which fans only appreciate if it goes your way and unfortunately for Howe, it didn’t on this occasion.

Eddie Howe
'Eddie Howe’s plan almost worked perfectly'
Moments like this are likely behind the divide in opinion at St James’ Park and his approval rating took another dip as his side went on to lost the next three matches on the spin.

Liverpool put four past them at Anfield in the Premier League, Manchester City dumped them out of the Carabao Cup and Brentford beat them 3-2 at St. James’ Park.

The back-to-back wins against Tottenham and Aston Villa in the Magpies' most recent two games are also a bit misleading.

It was Thomas Frank's final game in charge in North London and Villa were leading in the FA Cup fourth round clash until Marco Bizot got himself sent off in bizarre fashion.


Back to the matter at hand.

Newcastle head to Azerbaijan without Joelinton or Guimaraes and with the pair absent, their midfield looks comparatively ordinary. Without the latter, the Magpies win percentage drops from 54% to 14% as well (W2 D6 L6).

Away from home, Newcastle have struggled this term. They have failed to win 15 of 19 games in all competitions (W4 D6 L9).

The absentees, Newcastle’s struggles without Guimaraes and their away record this season make them a pretty hard sell in a two-legged clash at the prices available.

Sky Bet has the visitors priced at 4/11. For context, that’s the same price Chelsea went off there in a match which ended 2-2.

Newcastle
QARABAG are a force to be reckoned with in the Champions League, especially at home. They’ve scored two or more goals and only lost one of four games in Baku (W2 D1).

Although the 2/1 on the hosts' win-or-draw double chance appeals, the 10/11 about BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE looks the more sensible play.

Newcastle have only kept one clean sheet across their last 15 away games with this bet clicking in each of their last three matches on the road in the Champions League.

At 12/1, combining the hosts TO WIN alongside BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE is also worth a tout as the impetus will be on Qarabag to take a lead over to England ahead of the second leg.

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Tottenham's performance against Arsenal shows relegation is a real possibility
By Alex Keble
Football
Tue February 24, 2026 · 3h ago
The deafening roar that swirled around Tottenham's magnificent billion-pound stadium at kick-off was a poignant reminder of what this club could and should be, and indeed after weeks of rain the clear blue skies above had infused Igor Tudor’s debut with the giddy optimism of an August opener.

Just over an hour later the sun had gone down, the stadium was grimly silent under winter floodlights, and Arsenal were rampaging through a Spurs side as utterly bereft as the Thomas Frank outfit of a week earlier.

Even by Tottenham’s standards the descent into abject disappointment was stomach-turning, and from a position of sunny hopefulness Spurs moved a step closer to the unthinkable.

When Tudor arrived the chances of relegation receded. After losing his first game it has never looked more likely.



The bashing-heads-together approach brought some hard running, for a bit, but seemed to exhaust the players within half an hour.

The formation change was exactly as chaotic as we might have predicted in a division increasingly defined by its aversion to the back three.

And in the post-match press conference Tudor decided to praise Arsenal as “probably the best team in the world”.

Whatever you do don’t let him make his own coffee.

Igor Tudor
Spurs were well beaten by Arsenal in Igor Tudor's first game in charge
Spurs supporters will probably focus their ire on an inept second-half performance, one without any of the courage or calm required to compete at Premier League level.

They will understandably be concerned that it took all of 45 minutes for the panic to set in and the inertia of the Frank era to seize them in an icy grip.

But the first half was almost worse. What the second period tells us is that the Tottenham players don’t have the fitness for Tudor’s brutal man-to-man high press (which, yes, is bad) but what the first tells us is that even when minds are focused on Tudor’s instructions the tactics don’t work.

The shape was a 3-5-2 when out of possession and 3-4-3 when in it, with Conor Gallagher joining Xavi Simons as an inside forward behind Randal Kolo Muani when Spurs were on the ball.

This gave Simons a difficult hybrid role and, with the whole left side of the formation rotating to change shape, Tottenham were consistently confused down that flank.

Spurs average positions vs Arsenal
All it took was Jurrien Timber overlapping Bukayo Saka to outmanoeuvre Djed Spence, who was often left unsupported by Simons or Pape Matar Sarr, the two Spurs players unsure when exactly it was their turn to track the full-back.

Timber and Saka got behind twice in the first five minutes and, unsurprisingly, Arsenal pushed the same button relentlessly in the first half until it led directly to Eberechi Eze’s opener.

When Spurs got hold of possession they did almost nothing with it. Guglielmo Vicario was instructed to hit it long – every single time – which created head tennis, at best, and another wave of Arsenal pressure, at worst.

There seemed to be no real plan for how to counter-attack the visitors.

By the time the system fell into disarray in the second 45 Spurs should have been behind.


But, being level, there was no excuse for the way Viktor Gyokeres found space for his first goal, nor for the ease with which Eze and Gyokeres went through to score their second goals, both of which betrayed the confusion felt by a Spurs defence navigating the thorny switch from a back four to a back three.

As if that wasn’t bad enough, Tudor’s in-game tactical changes only made things worse.

He pushed Sarr into the forward line for the final 20 minutes, bizarrely leaving Yves Bissouma entirely alone in central midfield, and then for one final throw of the dice he brought on Mathys Tel to play as a wing-back.

It was shambolic pretty much from start to finish; an early warning sign that the concerns we had about Tudor – his inexperience in the Premier League chief among them – are well-founded.

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Jake Osgathorpe's Premier League tips and Super 6 predictions: 25/26 Matchday 29
By Jake Osgathorpe
Football
Tue March 03, 2026 · 20 min ago
Jake's Predictions 25/26: Staked 401.75pts | Returned 419.36pts | P/L +17.61pts | ROI +4.4%

Football betting tips: Premier League
Tuesday 19:30

2pts Alex Scott 2+ total shots in Bournemouth vs Brentford at 5/4 (Coral, Ladbrokes) - min price 4/5

2pts Sepp van den Berg 1+ total shots in Bournemouth vs Brentford at 21/20 (Coral, Ladbrokes) - min price 8/11

2.5pts Jarred Branthwaite 1+ total shots in Everton vs Burnley at 19/20 (Coral, Ladbrokes) - min price 8/11

1pt Bashir Humpreys to be carded in Everton vs Burnley at 6/1 (Betway) - min price 7/2

2.5pts Lutsharel Geertruida to commit 1+ foul and Gabriel Gudmundsson to win 1+ foul in Leeds vs Sunderland at 20/21 (bet365, Betway) - min price 3/4

1pt Lutsharel Geertruida to commit 2+ fouls in Leeds vs Sunderland at 3/1 (bet365, Betway) - min price 6/4

Tuesday 20:15 - Wolves vs Liverpool

1.5pts Alexis Mac Allister 1+ shot on target at 7/5 (Coral, Ladbrokes) - min price 5/6

Wednesday 19:30

1pt Matty Cash to be carded in Aston Villa vs Chelsea at 15/4 (Betway) - min price 3/1

1pt Reece James to be carded in Aston Villa vs Chelsea at 18/5 (Betfred) - min price 5/2

0.25pt Cash, James and Moises Caicedo to be carded at 35/1 (William Hill) - min price 25/1

1pt Ferdi Kadioglu to be carded in Brighton vs Arsenal at 5/1 (bet365) - min price 3/1

1pt Jack Hinshelwood 2+ total shots in Brighton vs Arsenal at 29/10 (Coal, Ladbrokes) - min price 15/8

2.5pts Crysencio Summerville 1+ shot on target in Fulham vs West Ham at 19/20 (Coral, Ladbrokes) - min price 8/11

2.5pts Nottingham Forest 10+ total shots vs Man City at evens (bet365) - min price 8/11

1pts Nottingham Forest 12+ total shots vs Man City at 12/5 (bet365) - min price 11/8

Wednesday 20:15 - Newcastle vs Man Utd

1pt Bruno Fernandes 1+ assist at 7/2 (Boylesports) - min price 5/2

***Thursday bets to follow

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |


As weekends go, the last one was up there for this column. Nearly +18pts profit across the 10 Premier League games is extremely pleasing, with Sunday doing the heavy lifting as we nearly landed the sweep.

Those of you who backed the bigger priced Harry Maguire-Jorgen Strand Larsen bet at 12/1 would have been paid out with Super Sub which will have been the cherry on top of a delicious Sunday cake.

Hopefully we can carry the good form into the midweek fixtures, which, admittedly have been a struggle this season. There are some familiar bets in the staking plan as I hope to keep hammering an edge for as long the price is still in a backable range. Fingers crossed they deliver for us again.

Bournemouth vs Brentford
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 4
Live odds, form and stats
Bournemouth peppered the Sunderland goal at the weekend, firing 21 shots but having to settle for a 1-1 draw. Our man ALEX SCOTT took three of those attempts, and while not wanting to be boring, we simply have to go back in again on him to take 2+ TOTAL SHOTS with the 5/4 price very much still value.

This bet has now landed in seven of his last eight games, firing 22 attempts in that span at an average of 2.68 per 90. The Cherries are a shot-heavy team at home, especially of late, averaging 1.54 shots per game in their last seven at the Vitality despite a tough schedule that includes four of the top six.

shot map
Brentford do concede plenty of attempts on their travels too, with their last three away seeing them ship 12 to Burnley, 16 at Newcastle and a whopping 27 at Aston Villa.

The Bees do pose a real set-piece threat though, as evidenced last weekend at Turf Moor where SEPP VAN DEN BERG was among the set-play attempts. We were on him at 17/20 for 1+ TOTAL SHOT on that occasion, and we'll again repeat that bet here with the Dutchman a bigger price at 21/20 against an equally as vulnerable set-piece team.

Only West Ham (124) have conceded more set-piece shots than Bournemouth (121) this season, while no team has conceded more set-piece goals, highlighting the Cherries frailties from dead-ball situations.

Van den Berg took three shots last weekend and has now landed this bet in five of his last seven.

Score prediction: Bournemouth 1-1 Brentford (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)

Odds correct at 12:30 GMT (02/03/26)

Everton vs Burnley
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 3
Live odds, form and stats
Everton claimed a big win at Newcastle on Saturday, and JARRED BRANTHWAITE was on the scoresheet thanks to a superb glancing header. Burnley lost a 4-3 thriller to Brentford and continued to show their set-piece vulnerabilities - you know where I'm going with this...

The Toffee's towering centre-back can be backed at 19/20 for just 1+ TOTAL SHOT here and it's must-bet material. Everton will be peppering the Clarets' box with set-pieces, just as they did against Manchester United last Monday when taking 10 corners, meaning there's a good chance Branthwaite is on the end of one.

everton
In limited minutes this season he's averaging 0.88 shots per 90, with this bet landing in three of his four league starts this term. Burnley conceded twice from set-pieces last weekend and have shipped the fourth-most set-piece shots in the league (119).

Given the referee appointment here - Tim Robinson, who is averaging 4.63 cards per game in the Premier League this term - I want to chance BASHIR HUMPHREYS TO BE CARDED at a huge 6/1.

He was booked last weekend when playing on the right side of defence, with that his fourth of the campaign. He's averaging 0.37 cards per 90 which makes the price on offer simply massive, and if operating in that right channel again he'll have to contend with Iliman Ndiaye and Kiernan Dwesbury-Hall which spells danger.

Score prediction: Everton 2-1 Burnley (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Odds correct at 12:30 GMT (02/03/26)

Leeds vs Sunderland
Kick-off: Tuesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 2
Live odds, form and stats
Leeds, under the lights, are not a team to oppose. For whatever reason, the Whites love playing late matches, and they look a fair price to win here at near-even-money. My attentions though are turned towards Sunderland's injury issues which present a lovely slice of value.

The Black Cats are missing both left-backs Reinildo and Denis Cirkin, as well as preferred right-back Nordi Mukiele, which led to LUTSHAREL GEERTRUIDA playing at right-back last weekend against Bournemouth. The fact he is likely to be there again in midweek doesn't seem to have been picked up by the market.

Geertruida has played substantial minutes right-back just four times this season for club and country this season, committing a foul on each occasion, and so we'll double up him TO COMMIT 1+ FOUL with Leeds left-wing back GABRIEL GUDMUNDSSON TO WIN 1+ FOUL for a lovey looking 20/21 shot.

geer
Gudmundsson is a foul-drawing machine fresh from being felled five times by Manchester City. In the Premier League he's been fouled in all of his last 22 appearances, averaging 1.81 fouls won per 90, and will come up against Geertruida on plenty of occasions on Tuesday night to give this bet a huge chance.

Again, it goes without saying that this bet can win in one action, like at the weekend with Harry Maguire and Jorgen Strand Larsen, but the two players can foul or be fouled by other players and we still get a winner.

We'll also back GEERTRUIDA TO COMMIT 2+ FOULS as a single at 3/1. This bet has won in two of his four games at right-back this season, and as well as Gudmundsson down his side, the Dutchman will likely have to deal with Brenden Aaronson (1.85 fouls won per 90) too.

The reason we are getting such a big price is that Geertruida hasn't been a prolific fouler this season, making just 10 fouls all campaign, but the continued position change hasn't been factored in here, so we are on value should he continue at right-back. Even at centre-back up against Leeds' physical forwards, this bet would have a chance. He's 15/2 (Betway) for a card if people can get on there.

Score prediction: Leeds 2-1 Sunderland (Sky Bet odds: 15/2)

Odds correct at 12:30 GMT (02/03/26)

Wolves vs Liverpool
Kick-off: Tuesday, 20:15 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats
A rather curious contest this one. Wolves are all-but relegated and Liverpool are pushing for a top four finish, but the interesting factor for this match is that these two teams will do it all again in the FA Cup on Friday.

That clash surely has to be the priority for Rob Edwards' side as opposed to this league meeting, while Liverpool can't afford to slip up in the league and have a trip to Galatasaray in the Champions League next midweek. So, what I'm getting at is there is potential uncertainty around selection for the hosts in this one.

alexis mac allister
The Reds should go full-strength, and I'm drawn to ALEXIS MAC ALLISTER 1+ SHOT ON TARGET here at 7/5. The Argentine has landed this bet in three of his last five matches, scoring in his last two, as he's started getting himself higher up the pitch more regularly.

Against a Wolves side happy to sit deep and soak up pressure, Mac Allister should get plenty of opportunities to pull the trigger and hopefully test Jose Sa, or fire one past him.

Score prediction: Wolves 0-2 Liverpool (Sky Bet odds: 13/2)

Odds correct at 14:55 GMT (02/03/26)

Aston Villa vs Chelsea
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 3
Live odds, form and stats
A big game this one. With it likely that the Premier League's top five will once again qualify for the Champions League, a clash between the team fourth and sixth in the league at this stage of the season has a lot riding on it. Aston Villa head into the fixture six points above Chelsea with a win dealing a hammer blow to the Blues.

Liam Rosenior's side are light on numbers at the moment, missing players through injury and suspension, and I wouldn't be rushing to back them here. If anything, Villa's price of 7/4 did interest me. Instead we'll head down the cards route given how high tensions could be.

MATTY CASH is priced at 15/4 TO BE CARDED and he rates a solid bet. Booked last weekend, Cash has now been carded six times this season, with one of those coming in the previous meeting with Chelsea where he was tasked with dealing with Alejandro Garnacho.

Garnacho should come into the fold here to start on the left-wing with Pedro Neto suspended, and he can again give Cash a tough evening. The Argentine winger has drawn 1.60 fouls per 90 this season and while perhaps low on confidence, has the ability to skip past defenders with his pace.

Jarred Gillet is the man with the whistle and he's averaged 3.75 cards per game this season in the top flight, so we'll also chance REECE JAMES TO BE CARDED at 7/2, whether he plays right-back or right-centre-mid.

He has four cards to his name and is averaging 1.31 fouls per 90 this season, but this bet is about the opponents Aston Villa, who continue to draw a load of cards down their left hand side. It's now nine right-backs and righ-centre-backs that have been booked in their last nine games, that after Yerson Mosquera was booked last week.

James was booked in the reverse game this season, which bodes well, as was MOISES CAICEDO, who we'll include to make up a speculative TREBLE. Caicedo committed six fouls in the last meeting with Aston Villa on his way to a card when playing right-centre-mid, and looks ripe for another card here too, but priced at 2/1 we'll include him in the longshot rather than a single. He's averaging 0.42 cards per 90 this season.

Score prediction: Aston Villa 2-1 Chelsea (Sky Bet odds: 17/2)

Odds correct at 16:30 GMT (02/03/26)

Brighton vs Arsenal
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 2
Live odds, form and stats
Brighton have found form at the wrong time for Arsenal. Back-to-back wins will have filled the Seagulls with confidence ahead of this clash, while the Gunners are desperate to win the title and can't take their foot off the gas.

Cards have been rife in the last few meetings between these two, with five earlier in the season at the Emirates, six last season at the Emirates and five at the Amex last term. We'll head to cards once again here.

FERDI KADIOGLU is priced at 5/1 TO BE CARDED which looks massive as he's set to go up against Bukayo Saka here, should he continue at left-back as he has in the las four matches.

The Türkiye international has five cards to his name this season, but it's Saka's foul drawing ability that gives this bet a real chance. In his last eight games in all competitions, Saka has been fouled 22 times at an average of 3.30 per 90. Should that continue here and Kadioglu could be in a lot of trouble.

We'll also have a small bet on JACK HINSHELWOOD 2+ TOTAL SHOTS at 29/10, with the Englishman playing in a more advanced role of late. He's landed this bet in five of his last six starts, averaging 2.50 attempts per 90 in that time.

While Arsenal are the best defensive team in the league, this Brighton side have shown time and time again that they can create against the best sides, so with Hinshelwood playing further forward and clearly shot-happy, he looks worth chancing.

Score prediction: Brighton 1-2 Arsenal (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Odds correct at 17:10 GMT (02/03/26)

Fulham vs West Ham
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 5
Live odds, form and stats
Yep, you've guessed it, we are once again jumping on the CRYSENCIO SUMMERVILLE 1+ SHOT ON TARGET train. We simply have to while ever we are getting bigger than 4/5, with the selection available at 19/20 this midweek.

It won again last week at Anfield, making it 10 straight games with the bet landing, and given the desperate situation West Ham are in - which will lead to them being more attacking in search of wins - now is not the time to depart the train.

Fulham are a fun team who always give their opponents a chance, so I think it's highly likely Summerville extends his shot on target streak to 11 games.

We have a good referee here in Matt Donohue (4.50 cards per game in PL) but I just couldn't find a card bet that stood out, If anything I was leaning towards the Fulham centre-backs Issa Diop (7/2 - General) and Calvin Bassey (4/1 - Betway, Coral, Ladbrokes), but didn't pull the trigger.

Score prediction: Fulham 2-1 West Ham (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Odds correct at 17:00 GMT (02/03/26)

Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest
Kick-off: Wednesday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 4
Live odds, form and stats
Manchester City have been a winning machine of late, banking eight wins from an unbeaten last nine, but they continue to look gettable defensively. Pep Guardiola's side are far from the dominant force of yesteryear, this version of the Cityzens do give you a chance.

Just ask Leeds. The Whites plundered 14 shots on the City goal at the weekend and created three 'big chances'. That should give Nottingham Forest some confidence as they head to the Etihad with this game a free hit for Vitor Pereira's side.

It comes at a bad time results-wise for Forest, who have lost three straight, but a good time schedule-wise, with Forest out of the FA Cup meaning they have a free weekend ahead of a Europa League last-16 first leg.

City meanwhile have this game, followed by trips to Newcastle in the FA Cup and Real Madrid in the Champions League. It seems like the perfect recipe for Forest to strike, but rather than backing them to win at 8/1 - I've learned my lesson from West Ham last weekend - I think a return to the Forest shot bet is the way in.

They landed the bounty for us last week when backing them to have 12+ shots, and in midweek we can back FOREST 10+ TOTAL SHOTS at even money. Not only are Forest free-firing at the moment, delivering shot totals of 23, 18, 13 and 13 in Pereira's first four games, but City have conceded plenty of attempts of late.

This bet has won in all of City's last nine games against Premier League opponents, with Pep's side facing 12.4 per game on average in that run. That schedule includes a home game against Wolves and a trip to sorry Spurs, so it seems likely Forest can hit this line on Wednesday.

We'll also have a smaller bet on FOREST 12+ TOTAL SHOTS at 12/5, with opponents hitting this line in all of City's last six against top flight opponents. Forest have covered this line in all of Pereira's games too, so let's hope the 'free-hit' and 'nothing to lose' mentality leads to a lot of attempts.

Score prediction: Manchester City 2-1 Nottingham Forest (Sky Bet odds: 7/1)

Odds correct at 16:20 GMT (03/03/26)

Newcastle vs Manchester United
Kick-off: Wednesday, 20:15 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats
Newcastle's season is taking an interesting turn. They sit 13th in the table and some nine points off the top six heading into midweek, and Eddie Howe has a decision to make. Qualifying for Europe through the league looks unlikely at this point, so it could be time to go all-in in the cups.

The Magpies have a big week on that front, hosting Manchester City on Saturday in the FA Cup before welcoming the might of Barcelona in the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie. This game has to be the lowest priority of the three for Howe, right?

Either way, they welcome a red-hot Manchester United side who have won six of an unbeaten seven since Michael Carrick was appointed. The Red Devils have been impressive, but have won with fine margins and defensive solidity.

They have averaged 1.51 xGF per game since their former midfield maestro took charge, which ranks only 10th best in the league during that time, but their defensive process of 0.88 xGA per game is bettered only by leaders Arsenal.

I don't want to be backing them as favourites at St. James' Park, but will happily get BRUNO FERNANDES 1+ ASSIST onside at 7/2 given how leaky the hosts have been in recent weeks.

Howe's men have conceded 15 goals in their last six league games and eight in their last three home league games, so United should get on the scoresheet, likely more than once, which increases the chances of Bruno providing a goal.

The Portuguese playmaker has registered at least one assist in 12 of his last 19 games for United, assisting a total of 14 in that time. He's fresh off a superb assist last weekend in a game he created six chances for his teammates.

He has been the league's best creator this season by some margin. The 13 assists he's racked up is six more than anyone else. He's created 84 chances this season which is 31 - yes THIRTY ONE - more than anyone else in the league, with his 19 big chances four more than anyone else.

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FA Cup tips: West Ham vs Brentford tips, predictions, best bets and preview
By Jimmy 'The Punt' Cantrill
Football
Mon March 09, 2026 · 1h ago


Football betting tips: FA Cup
1.5pt Brentford to win at 5/4 (General)

*All bets settled in 90 mins

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair


Kick-off: Monday, 19:30 GMT
TV: TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats
All Premier League affairs in the FA Cup don’t quite get the juices flowing.

The familiarity of it makes it feel a bit futile but at least you can draw on the league meeting for clues as to how Monday’s match up might go.

These sides met at the London Stadium in October. BRENTFORD went off around 8/5, terrorised West Ham from corners, free-kicks and long throw-ins and won 2-0.

Brentford
The Bees are a chunk shorter to win in 90 minutes on Monday but given the context of the Premier League table it is easy to see why.

Keith Andrews’ side are seventh and although they have an outside chance of grabbing a European spot, a shot at a bit of domestic silverware must be a priority for the remainder of the season.

That said, Andrews made seven changes in the 1-0 win over Macclesfield in the last round as the Bees scraped past the National League North outfit thanks to an own goal. I think he’ll name a strong XI on Monday though.

Besides, Brentford’s form is really strong. They have only lost three of 15 games (W9 D3), a run stretching back to before Christmas, and have become formidable on their travels, winning seven of their last nine.

Brentford
In stark contrast to the Bees, Monday’s clash hardly feels like a priority for West Ham who are embroiled in a fight for survival.

Despite a win at Craven Cottage in midweek, Nuno Espírito Santo’s side remain in the relegation zone on goal difference with games against Manchester City and Aston Villa to come before the next international break.

Securing their Premier League status will be the Hammers' main focus for the remainder of the season.

It wouldn’t be a surprise to see the hosts' big hitters get a rest again. Nuno made 10 changes for the fourth round and six in the third.

At 5/4, backing the Bees TO WIN is the bet.

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Monday Night Football tips: Brentford vs Wolves predictions, best bets and preview
By Joe Townsend
Football
Mon March 16, 2026 · 3h ago
Football betting tips: MNF


Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

Kick-off: Monday, 20:00 GMT
TV: Sky Sports Main Event
Live odds, form and stats

In what is his first season in management Keith Andrews continues to do a wonderful job, quite rightly earning a new six-year contract earlier this month.

But are there finally signs that Brentford are beginning to drop off?

The Bees managed to bounce out of their previous blip - they went winless in four and won just twice in eight - with five wins and a draw across the Christmas period to firmly establish themselves as challengers for European qualification.

PREMIER LEAGUE FORM STATS
During this current "dip" in form they have lost 2-0 at home to struggling Premier League duo Nottingham Forest and Brighton, needed an own goal to win 1-0 at National North club Macclesfield in the FA Cup - they then lost on penalties at West Ham in the next round - and collapsed away at Burnley having led 3-0 only to be on the right side of Lady Luck to snatch a last gasp 4-3 win.

WOLVES, meanwhile, look a totally different side to the one that took two points from their first 18 matches.

Rob Edwards has overseen a remarkable turnaround, with his team losing only five of their last 15 fixtures in all competitions. They have won their last two league games, beating Aston Villa and Liverpool, and have a W2 D2 L1 record over their last five.

WOLVES FORM STATS
Yet to win away from home in the top flight this season it feels a stretch to back them for victory, but at a general 5/1 (far bigger than in recent trips to Crystal Palace, Forest and Everton) they do look worth getting onside - the 7/2 about DRAW NO BET is advised.

I'm also happy to have a swing at the 14/1 NO GOALSCORER bet.

Brentford have already had two goalless draws in the league this calendar year, with seven of those 11 games involving under 2.5 goals. Wolves boast exactly the same record.

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Manchester City's Carabao Cup success a mere swansong for Pep Guardiola
By Alex Keble
Football
Tue March 24, 2026 · 1h ago
If this was supposed to be the grand occasion when Manchester City re-emerge as a titanic force and in the process shake their rivals into collapse then it could hardly have gone any better: a resounding win courtesy of turning the screw - classic City style – as Arsenal froze.

The 20 minutes that settled Sunday’s Carabao Cup final was a metaphor for the journey City hope to go on and Arsenal dread.

They twisted the knife and then twisted it again, the double whammy from Nico O’Reilly, Pep Guardiola’s performatively wild celebrations, and O’Reilly’s declaration Man City “smell blood” in the title race conspired to make this the perfect final to setup the run-in.

The only problem is that it just doesn’t feel honest.

What is most striking about Man City’s fifth League Cup triumph under Pep Guardiola is that it left the impression of a simple head-to-head in their favour; just another battle in a series of battles against their new rivals, signifying nothing beyond its own glory.

Which is not insignificant. A second consecutive year without silverware would have felt disastrous for Guardiola and probably enough to guarantee he remains for one final year at the Etihad, whereas to become the competition’s most decorated winner perhaps gives him an out.

His new squad, half of whom had never won a trophy under Guardiola, have now begun their journey.

For Man City as much as Arsenal, this year’s EFL Cup was about getting a taste of success and using it as motivation for the future.

But the idea that Man City can use it to power ahead of Arsenal in the remaining eight Premier League games still feels like a stretch.

nico o'reilly
Nico O'Reilly's brace won Manchester City the Carabao Cup
That Arsenal fans woke up on Monday morning without a fearful sense of the tide turning, that pundits didn’t sound the alarm, is a testament to the fact that Arsenal are no longer plucky upstarts desperate to reach the promise land.

They have already arrived; already carry themselves as Man City’s equals and, therefore, they will not be dragged into psychological warfare by an isolated incident at Wembley.

When we look back upon the 2025/26 season as a whole, that sense has always been there. It has felt like Arsenal’s year for a long time now and, paradoxically, losing this final only seems to have strengthened that argument.

There is no great anguish, no pang of fear. Arsenal remain fully in control of the title race and it just does not feel like Man City can make up all that ground.

In theory they can do it, of course.

Win their game in hand, and beat Arsenal at the Etihad, and the gap is just a single point with five more rounds to play. But this works on the assumption that Man City can be close to perfect over the final two months and nothing over the last two years indicates they can do that.

Arsenal lose Carabao Cup final to Manchester City
Arsenal should still go on and win the Premier League title
It helps Arsenal that the Premier League does not resume for three weeks and that before then they kick off April with kind fixture against Southampton in the FA Cup and Sporting CP in the Champions League. Then, they need only beat Bournemouth at the Emirates to open a temporary ten-point gap when Man City travel to Chelsea the following day.

Normal service will resume. Man City, even after Sunday, are the outsiders looking in and the club who appeared to most need that EFL Cup trophy.

Indeed the overriding feeling was not of a tightening at the top but the end of an era, the beginning of a long goodbye. Guardiola’s delight looked like the final actions of a manager who has completed his mission in this country, who is enjoying his swansong.

Guardiola has handed over the baton after all. The only surprise is that it took defeat for Arsenal to bring the new reality into focus.

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Roy Hodgson: Bristol City appoint ex-England manager at age of 78
By Joe Townsend
Football
Fri March 27, 2026 · 2d ago
Former England manager Roy Hodgson has been appointed as the new manager of Championship club Bristol City at the age of 78.

In a shock statement the Robins announced the sacking of Gerhard Struber and the return of Hodgson to Ashton Gate until the end of the season - a staggering 44 years after his first spell in charge.

This is now his 24th managerial role spanning 50 years having started at Swedish club Halmstad in 1976.

Hodgson has been out of work since ending his second spell as Crystal Palace manager in 2024, but never formally retired.

He inherits a Bristol City team who have fallen apart this season following the sale of their two key players, captain Zak Vyner and top scorer Anis Mehmeti, in January.

They have won one of their last nine matches and having been battling for the play-offs are now 16th, 12 points from both the top six and bottom three with seven games to play.

“I have had great conversations with the board and I am really excited by the opportunity to help until the end of the season," said Hodgson.

"We will get straight to work and look for a positive performance on Good Friday.”

Chief executive Charlie Boss said: “Roy’s appointment is about more than the results of the next seven games. Over the remainder of the season, he will help us set the standards and values at the club that we will need to be successful going forwards.

“Roy is a vastly experienced coach who has achieved and won at the highest level. He will support me, our players and our football staff as we build towards achieving our potential.

“We are in the process of appointing a sporting director who will have a direct input into the recruitment of a new permanent head coach.”

Roy Hodgson's managerial career
Roy Hodgson during his first spell as Bristol City manager in 1982
Roy Hodgson during his first spell as Bristol City manager in 1982
1976–1980: Halmstad
1980–1982: Bristol City (assistant, then manager)
1982: Oddevold
1983–1984: Örebro
1985–1989: Malmö
1990–1992: Neuchâtel Xamax
1992–1995: Switzerland
1995–1997: Inter Milan
1997–1998: Blackburn Rovers
1999: Inter Milan (caretaker)
1999–2000: Grasshoppers
2000–2001: Copenhagen
2001: Udinese
2002–2004: United Arab Emirates
2004–2005: Viking
2006–2007: Finland
2007–2010: Fulham
2010–2011: Liverpool
2011–2012: West Bromwich Albion
2012–2016: England
2017–2021: Crystal Palace
2022: Watford
2023–2024: Crystal Palace
2026: Bristol City

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Good Friday best bets: Championship and EFL tips for Easter 2026
By Sporting Life
Football
Wed April 01, 2026 · 1h ago
Football betting tips: EFL
Middlesbrough vs Millwall (Friday, 12:30)

2pts Millwall double chance at 6/5 (Sky Bet)

Oxford vs Hull (Friday, 15:00)

2pts Ciaron Brown and Michal Helik both 1+ total shots at 9/5 (bet365)

0.5pt Michal Helik to score anytime at 9/1 (Betway, BetVictor, Ladbrokes)

0.5pt Ciaron Brown to score anytime at 16/1 (Sky Bet, Betfair, Paddy Power)

QPR vs Watford (Friday, 15:00)

3pts Over 2.5 goals at 11/10 (Sky Bet, Betfred)

1pt Over 3.5 goals at 14/5 (Paddy Power)

Coventry vs Derby (Friday, 20:00)

2pts Both teams to score at 4/5 (General)

1pt Frank Onyeka to be carded at 15/4 (bet365)

***More tips may appear here...

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power |

Middlesbrough vs Millwall
Kick-off: Friday, 12:30 BST
TV channel: ITV, Sky Sports Main Event
Live odds, form and stats
Jimmy 'the Punt' Cantrill

MILLWALL’s record against the sides above them in the Championship table reads W0 D2 L3 which perhaps goes a little way to explaining why they are 15/4 to win at the Riverside.

Scratch the surface a little and there’s some juice in that price.

They lost the reverse 3-0 and were beaten 4-0 when they hosted Coventry but those fixtures were their first and fourth league games at the Den this season.

Since then, they were narrowly beaten at the league leaders and drew home and away with Ipswich.

In fact, including the stalemate with the Tractor Boys on Boxing Day, Millwall have only lost three of their last 17 Championship games despite playing eight matches against the top 10 across that sample.

Victory against Boro would see the Lions move into the automatic spots at their hosts' expense.

Millwall
Instead of taking the visitors to win though, I am going to err on the side of caution and back them WIN-OR-DRAW DOUBLE CHANCE at 6/5 with Sky Bet.

Middlesbrough have only lost twice since they were knocked out of the FA Cup third round (W7 D4 L2).

With these sides drawing a quarter of their combined league fixtures this term and given the ramifications of this game on both their automatic promotion hopes, there’s every chance they shake hands on the draw.

Oxford vs Hull
Kick-off: Friday, 15:00 BST
Live odds, form and stats
Jake Osgathorpe

This could be one of the biggest games in the Championship on Good Friday, with second-bottom Oxford welcoming fifth-placed Hull.

The hosts are one point from safety after an upturn in results, while the visitors are just three points above seventh-placed Wrexham ahead of the action, so both need a result for different reasons.

Jimmy was quite keen on Hull's chances of a win here on This Week's Acca, while my feelings on Hull have been well documented on that show and on social media, where a barrage of abuse from Tigers fans could come back to bite them should they miss out on the top six.

Bragging-rights aside, this game is set to be a set-piece mismatch and we have to try and take advantage. Only four sides have scored more set-piece goals than Oxford's 16 this season and only five sides have taken more shots from dead-ball situations than the U's (179).

On the other side of this mismatch is a Hull team who have faced the second-most xG from set-pieces this season (18.0) conceding five set-piece goals in their last nine league outings, with four of those scored by opposing centre-backs.

That means we have to back both MICHAL HELIK and CIARON BROWN TO SCORE ANYTIME at 9/1 and 16/1 respectively. Both have found the net recently, with Helik netting against Preston and Brown bagging against Preston and Stoke - both are huge aerial threats.

The 8/5 available for both HELIK AND BROWN 1+ TOTAL SHOTS is worth covering too. Brown has had a shot in five of his last six league starts and Helik has hit 1+ in four of his last five in that same span, with the pair both having a shot in the same game on three of those five occasions.

QPR vs Watford
Kick-off: Friday, 15:00 BST
Live odds, form and stats
Jake Osgathorpe

I cannot believe the goal line for this game is set at 2.5, so we simply must take the OVERS at an odds-against price.

QPR's home games have been bananas for goals this season, averaging 3.5 goals per game and seeing overs click in 15 of 19 in the Championship - that's a 79% strike-rate that would give us blanket odds of around 3/10. We are getting 11/10 here.

The R's are playing with real freedom at the moment given they can't go up or down, and that means there is even more reason to expect goals, while visitors Watford have to go for broke if they are to keep their slim play-off chances alive.

The Hornets' recent away games have been goal-heavy, with three of their last four seeing overs click, and that includes matches against very 'unders' sides in Preston and Stoke, both who rank in the bottom six for goals this season.

That's another boost for this bet, which simply looks to be priced completely wrong, so much so I'lll even recommend backing OVER 3.5 GOALS at 14/5 as well.

Nine of QPR's 19 home games have breached the 3.5 line this season (47%) including three of their last four, while two of Watford's recent four away games have seen four goals.

Coventry vs Derby
Kick-off: Friday, 20:00 BST
TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event
Live odds, form and stats
Jimmy 'The Punt' Cantrill

Just the eight goals when these sides last met, five big chances, 14 shots on target and a combined expected goals (xG) of 4.67 as Coventry won 5-3.

If you fancy more of the same on Good Friday evening, over 2.5 goals and both teams to score can be backed at 6/5.

I’m going to play it safe with BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE at 4/5, it feels like a no-brainer.

Against sides above them, Derby have played 12 games with this bet clicking on 10 occasions.

Coventry have scored the most goals in the division (81), 14 more than any other side, and their games have averaged 3.1 goals with both teams finding the net in 59% of their 39 matches.

Coventry
In such a big game, I think FRANK ONYEKA is worth a tout TO BE CARDED.

He’s picked up three in 547 minutes of Championship action since joining Coventry loan from Brentford.

At Augsburg he was carded eight times in 31 Bundesliga appearances and he was carded 12 times across the 67 Premier League appearances prior.

With a cards per 90 average of 0.33, this price is simply too big.

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FA Cup tips: Southampton vs Arsenal predictions, best bets and preview
By Jimmy 'The Punt' Cantrill
Football
Sat April 04, 2026 · 32 min ago
Football betting tips: FA Cup
2pts Both teams to score at evens (Sky Bet)

1pt James Bree to be carded at 5/1 (bet365)

0.5pt Bree to score anytime at 14/1 (BetVictor, Coral, Ladbrokes)

0.25pt Bree to score and be carded at 50/1 (bet365)

***All bets in 90 minutes

Sky Bet odds | Paddy Power | Betfair

Kick-off: Saturday, 20:00 BST
TV: BBC One, TNT Sports 1
Live odds, form and stats

Arsenal’s quadruple hopes were ended by Manchester City before the international break as Pep Guardiola’s side schooled Mikel Arteta’s 2-0 at Wembley.

What became blatantly obvious in that fixture - and it’s not very insightful - was how much the Gunners miss Martin Odegaard’s creativity and quality.

Aside from a good opening 15 minutes or so, without him Arsenal really struggled to create anything from open play.

I mean, it shouldn’t be too much of a surprise to see the side that has scored over a quarter of its Premier League goals across the last two seasons from set-pieces become over reliant on set-pieces.

Not that it’s a bad trait to have, but without their maestro Odegaard the Gunners look appallingly one dimensional and Pep knew this.

It’s why City’s frontline sat off at Wembley and just let Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba knock it between one another.

Arsenal
I am looking forward to seeing how Arteta’s side reacts to that setback.

A lot's been made of this group's resilience - or perceived lack off - and anything other than absolute conviction will be prayed on as the season turns for the home straight.

It’ll also be interesting to see who Arteta actually plays as 11 of his squad withdrew from international duty this month.

Saliba (ankle), Gabriel (knee), Eberechi Eze (calf), Odegaard (knee), Jurrien Timber (groin), Leandro Trossard (hip), Declan Rice (knock), Bukayo Saka (knock), Noni Madueke (knee), Martin Zubimendi (knee) and Piero Hincapie (unknown).

According to the BBC, 23 top-flight players dropped out of international duty during this break and almost half of them are Arsenal players.

I mean how unlucky can you be. I am sure the rest of the Premier League and Southampton would love to join me in wishing those 11 a speedy recovery.

Noni Madueke
Tonda Eckert should take heed from Pep’s tactics, especially considering Odegaard won’t get rushed back for this fixture.

Southampton might not have the quality of Manchester City but they will certainly fancy their chances of bloodying the noses of the champions elect.

Arsenal have beaten Portsmouth (Championship), Wigan (League One) and Mansfield (League One) en route to the FA Cup quarter-finals conceding in two of those three fixtures. Interestingly, those three sides racked up a combined expected goals (xG) of 3.54 so there were no fluky goals.

Saints edged a five-goal thriller at Doncaster in the third round, snuck past Leicester in extra time in the fourth and beat Fulham via an injury-time penalty in the last round.

Southampton scored at least one goal in 90 minutes across all three of those games and Arsenal conceded in two of their three against EFL opposition. So, at even money BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE is the bet.

James Bree
Sticking along similar lines, I also think JAMES BREE is worth a punt TO SCORE ANYTIME.

BetMGM and Virgin Bet have him at 15s if you can get on there but I am advising him at the 14s available with the more established firms of BetVictor, Coral and Ladbrokes.

Anyway, since getting recalled from his loan at Charlton, Bree has scored three times in 13 appearances and has set up another two.

Eckert clearly gives him plenty of attacking freedom, his heatmap in the second tier looks more that of a winger than a full-back in certain games.

Bree also doesn’t mind getting stuck in, although this hasn’t always been the case.

He’s picked up nine cautions this term, more than he did across the previous six seasons combined.

James Bree
With this in mind, at 5/1, his price TO BE CARDED also appeals.

Bree could be opposing the temperamental Trossard, the tricky Madueke or the foul-drawing Saka. Should any of the trio be fit.

Either way, he looks a bet for a card and naturally, combining him TO SCORE AND BE CARDED appeals at 50/1.

It leaves the door ajar for a last-minute Bree winner and some overzealous celebrating…