Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to break down two FA Cup ties this weekend and provides two tips in the outright winner market.
Winners – Manchester City (7/4)
I think Manchester City will win the FA Cup; they don’t have much else to play for this season except from the top four. Pep Guardiola has assembled a team with some new players who look like they’re starting to gel.
If they can nick a major trophy in a bad season, I think they’ll take that alongside finishing in the top four. They’ll put that in the bag and go again next season. I wouldn’t bet against City – I think they will come good.
Dark Horses – Bournemouth (9/1)
Bournemouth are a great side and I think they could be well in the running for the FA Cup. That front three of Dango Ouattara, Antoine Semenyo and Justin Kluivert is something, they’re solid at the back as well. They’ve got a manager who’s instilled belief in the side and they’ve shown they can go toe-to-toe with some of the biggest clubs in the Premier League.
They’d be my dark horses for the tournament.
Newcastle United vs Brighton (Sunday 13:45)
As a Newcastle fan, you’d surely prefer to win the FA Cup than finish in the top four. They’ve had the taste of Champions League, and they’ll have it again, they’re a good club going in the right direction, but they want trophies. That’s what the owners have come in to deliver – I would take the FA Cup over top four every day of the week.
Brighton have done well recently; they did have a bit of wobble and people started to question Fabian Hurzeler, but he’s a good manager. You must remember he’s still young and learning as well, he’s done a great job and they’re a brilliant side.
It’s great to see Danny Welbeck still doing the business at 34. Kaoru Mitoma is a gem – I love him. They’ll pluck another player out of thin air who will go for £60 million, they’re the best run club in the Premier League. Can they get to the next level under Hurzeler? We’ll see, but what an example they set of how to run a Premier League football club.
It’s tough to split the two sides, I don’t know if Alexander Isak will be fit but I’m looking forward to it. It’ll be a great game.
Prediction: Newcastle United 2-2 Brighton (9/1)
Manchester United vs Fulham (Sunday 16:30)
I think Fulham should be the favourites for this one. Manchester United are terrible, they scraped a few wins because they have some decent players, but as a team they’re really poor. Fulham should go into this with loads of confidence, they’re playing some brilliant football this season.
I get that there’s pressure to perform and United are one of the biggest clubs in the world, but everything at the club is so fragile. Players used to join United to win trophies straight away, such as Rio Ferdinand, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. Now players turn up and choke – they can’t wait to leave! Alexis Sanchez said he wanted to leave after one training session!
Marco Silva is a great manager who’s got them playing fantastic stuff and they deserve to be where they are. I think they’ll rock up to Old Trafford with great confidence and win the game.
Prediction – Manchester United 0-2 Fulham (13/1)
Bet Builder – Man United v Fulham
- Fulham to win
- Both Teams To Score – No
- Over 9.5 Corners