FA Cup: A tasty 7/1 treble to last the whole weekend

A change of pace for this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre-stage and here’s a tasty treble to complement the action.

Watford v Crystal Palace – Both Teams to Score (8/11) Sat 12.15pm

The biggest thing that the FA Cup has over the Premier League is that teams don’t fall into self-preservation mode, because a replay can hinder them across multiple competitions. Both sides will be going out to win this game and with the Deeney/Deulofeu and Zaha/Batshuayi tandems working in overdrive, a game with this dynamic should lead to some goals.

No team has scored more goals than Palace in the bottom eight, while no side have conceded more than Watford in the top 11. And here’s a startling stat. Crystal Palace have scored just one goal fewer than Manchester City away from home in the Premier League this season.

All aboard the goals bus.

Wolves v Man United – Man United to win @ (5/4) Saturday 7.55pm

This is a bit of a gift. I know Wolves are playing well and they’re best-positioned to have a whack off this while United’s attention may be turning towards that European tie with Barcelona, but under Solksjaer, this rejuvenated unit at 5/4 seems too good to turn down.

The kids he relied on are getting more help with injuries beginning to fade and Romelu Lukaku resembles a footballer again. Only Spurs (32) have scored more goals than Man United (30) away from home in the Premier League this season, while Wolves have conceded 19 times in their 15 home games. United have options off the bench, too. This one, if required, can be won late – such is the legacy of the manager in question.

Millwall v Brighton – Brighton to win @ (11/10) Sunday 2pm

Magic doesn’t exist. It only happens in places like the mind of JK Rowling, where Emma Watson could somehow be attracted to Rupert Grint and yet I can’t get a message back on Tinder. But look, that’s enough personal insecurities out of the way – Brighton win this.

Millwall have a severe lack of quality and their aggression may actually work against them here, given that Chris Houghton knows how to play them, as he was a Championship manager before this. Sometimes the ignorance of top tier coaches can cause their charges to underestimate the hostility and effort levels associated with lower league sides, but not this one.