Best FA Cup bets from scorned England star with point to prove to the tie destined for penalty shootout
SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager is back for another week, packed full of expert insight and razor-sharp analysis to bring you the best-value bets ahead of this weekend’s action
Joining top broadcaster Toni Afoke is our very own deputy head of sport Dean Scoggins and Betfair betting expert Sam Rosbottom.
With the international break done and dusted, our team take a look at the best of the FA Cup action.
They check out the value bets from Brighton’s quarter-final with high-flying Nottingham Forest.
While they also pick through Bournemouth‘s intriguing tie with Manchester City.
The trio then take a look at this weekend’s IPL and racing action.
Brighton vs Forest
Dean Scoggins – Gibbs-White two shots on target – 11/2
I’m going Morgan Gibbs-White, Morgan Gibbs-White is the man for this weekend.
I’ll tell you why, it’s because he got snubbed by England.
He is going to be absolutely raring to go, flying out the blocks.
Morgan Gibbs-White to have two shots on target is 11/2. The stat for you is that he only averages just under one shot per 90 this season, but that isn’t in an open game, in a cup game.
I just fancy him to get a load of joy. Be it a free-kick, a goal, or a shot on target in open play.
Toni Afoke – Forest to win on penalties – 11/1
I’m going to go with Forest to win on penalties. The reason I’m doing this is three of Forest’s last five FA Cup ties have gone down to penalties.
Even though I know they completely spanked Brighton 7-0, I just feel that Brighton are going to have that edge against them.
Overall they’ve won all four of their FA Cup shootouts, and I remember Brighton losing penalty shootouts, specifically against Man Utd in the 2022-23 season, I’m going Forest there.
Sam Rosbottom – Van Hecke to be fouled – Evens
I’m looking at the to be fouled market. And I’m looking at Jan Paul van Hecke to be fouled one or more times at even money.
I know you’re probably shouting at screens, ‘why are you shouting up a centre-half to be fouled?’
I think it’s going to be a big battle between him and Chris Wood, who is a little bit of an injury doubt, but if he does play he’s a man that likes to put himself about.
Jan Paul van Hecke has been fouled six times in his last four matches for Brighton. Chris Wood has committed seven fouls in his last six games.
Could be a key battle and I could see Jan Paul van Hecke being fouled at least once.”
Bournemouth vs Man City
Dean Scoggins – Justin Kluivert to commit three or more fouls – 5/2
I went to the Spurs-Bournemouth game a couple of weeks ago and Justin Kluivert was everywhere.
Not just in attack but putting himself around. He makes fouls. He averages 1.74 fouls per 90 as an attacker. In that Tottenham game, he should have been sent off by the way, he was booked and made another foul after.
So I’m interested in the fouls market. Three or more fouls in this game is 5/2 and against a Man City side who will have loads of the ball I fancy Kluivert to make more than two fouls and get to that three fouls mark.
Toni Afoke – Bournemouth to win and BTTS – 16/5
“I’m going for Bournemouth to win and both teams to score. I’m giving City a bit of a chance because I feel like they will score, it would be weird for Bournemouth to get a clean sheet at the Vitality.
I just feel, even though Bournemouth have been slightly going down, they have something against a vulnerable Man City side.
Sam Rosbottom – Tavernier to have three or more shots – 6/5
I’m also looking at the shots market in this one. Not shots on target though, just the shots market.
It’s Marcus Tavernier to have three or more shots at 6/5. Now, why I like this one is because when it comes to shots, FA Cup, everybody’s gonna be looking to Semenyo.
However, Marcus Tavernier has had 15 shots in his last five FA Cup matches. Going forward he’s a real threat for Bournemouth.
Coming up against potentially Gvardiol if he’s fit, obviously we know how high Gvardiol likes to get forward – there could be a bit of space to exploit there. That’s one for me that’s a very nice option.
IPL CRICKET
Sam Rosbottom – Team of Top Batsman – Gujarat Titans – Evens
What a start we’ve had to the IPL. Some big, big scores we’ve seen in matches, almost records being broken. There was one match where they were one run away from the highest total in an IPL game.
I’m looking at Saturday’s game. Gujarat Titans against the Mumbai Indians. Mumbai Indians one of the big favourites to win the IPL this season.
They are fancied in this game at 4/5, Gujarat Titans even money. I think this one’s a little bit closer than that to be honest with you.
Gujarat Titans came very, very close – one of the highest-scoring sides in the first round of fixtures – so I’m actually going to look at some other markets on this game.
I’m diving into the team of top batsman and I’m going to side with the Gujarat Titans on this one at even money.
The reason why I like this is in their last game, like I said, while they lost, they gave it a really good go and they lost by 11 runs. They notched 232 runs in that match, so they’re a high-scoring side.
Both (Sai) Sudharsan and (Jos) Buttler scored over 50 in that game and they had a partnership of 84 runs so pretty easy going for T20.
Interesting Jos Buttler as well. He had such a miserable time at the Champions Trophy. He stood down as England captain. But he’s got straight back at it with the Gujarat Titans.
I think team top batsman, Gujarat Titans, even money is a shout.
THE LINCOLN – DONCASTER RACING
Sam Rosbottom – Native Warrior – 15/2
It’s all eyes on Doncaster for the Lincoln. The first big flat race of the season. Twenty-two runners in this one so huge field, lots of horses to pick.
Obviously each way could be a really good shout in this race as well, but one that I really like is Native Warrior at 15/2 and Betfair punters absolutely love this horse as well – best backed horse in the ante-post market leading up this one.