FA Cup quarter-final preview: City clear favourites for progression

The FA Cup returns with four exciting quarter-finals, with Manchester City on course for their fifth semi-final appearance in a row, whilst we’re also guaranteed a Championship side at Wembley next month.

We preview the best of the action below.

Manchester City v Burnley – Saturday 17:45

Vincent Kompany will return to the Etihad to face the club he was captain of at the 2019 FA Cup final, but this time as a manager and at the business end of what has been an incredible season in charge of Burnley in the Championship. Whilst City aren’t perhaps at the peak of their powers, at least in the Premier League, they are still a formidable force and will take some beating.

After their outstanding performance in the Champions League, where they defeated RB Leipzig 8-1 on aggregate, it is no surprise that the Cityzens are 1/5 to triumph here in 90 minutes and progress to the semi-final of the FA Cup for the fifth season in a row.

Though Burnley have been fantastic in the Championship all season, the odds do discredit them here, with chances of only 6/1 that they will win this tie and advance.

It could be a close game on the day with Burnley’s renowned resolute defence, one of their main driving forces this season, likely to give City some trouble scoring for fun like they would against every other Championship side. It is 19/10 that City win with both teams scoring, and 3/1 that Pep Guardiola’s men will net three goals.

The unstoppable Erling Haaland will is just 7/20 to score at anytime and 13/2 to score a hat-trick, something that is more than on the cards after witnessing how he demolished RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Sheffield United v Blackburn Rovers – Sunday 12:00

Perhaps the most intriguing game of the quarter-finals, Sheffield United versus Blackburn guarantees that at least one Championship side will make it through to the semi-finals.

Bost sides have had good seasons in the second flight, with Sheffield currently sitting second, three points clear of third and with a game in hand. Blackburn have recently climbed back into the play off positions and also sit three points clear of the chasing pack as we edge towards the last few games of the season.

Sheffield are the favourites here at 7/10 to win in 90 minutes, but it is a tough one to call as the Championship has been so unpredictable this season. Blackburn are 4/1 but expect this to be closer than the odds make out.

As we know, the FA Cup brings a degree of magic that makes anything possible, and extra time is one of the options that is more than likely. Blackburn are 16/1 to win after 90 minutes, with Sheffield United at 11/1.

With the atmosphere Bramall Lane can produce, expect this one to be fiery. Both teams still have a lot to fight for in the league, so may not field the strongest teams, but an FA Cup semi-final nonetheless will be a major achievement for either side. It is 4/5 that both teams will score and 2/1 that we witness over 3.5 goals.

Manchester United v Fulham – Sunday 16:30

Manchester United have already won one trophy at Wembley this season and could be on course to take home another as they come up against Fulham at Old Trafford.

Fulham are not a side to be overlooked but United’s recent form sees them well backed here at 4/9 to win in 90 minutes, with the Cottagers outsiders at 11/2.

It is expected that Erik ten Hag’s side will come out on top but after their recent 7-0 rattling to Liverpool, anything could go here. Add some FA Cup magic and you have yourself a Fulham side that may just fancy their chances.

Fulham are 16/1 to win on penalties, which certainly offers great value. Of course, holding United to a draw over 120 minutes will be tough, but Fulham have shown their defensive resilience on more than one occasion this season, conceding just 37 goals since August. United’s record is only marginally better at 35, so expect the travelling fans to have something to get excited about.

Both teams to score is odds-on at 17/20, with over 4.5 goals in the contest coming out at 7/2, which is definitely one to consider with the deadly form Marcus Rashford and co are in at the moment. He is only 4/5 to score at any time – something he has done in a lot of big games for United this season.

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