Weekend Tips: FA Cup fourth round and La Liga

It's Premier League fourth-round weekend and we have a Nap, Value Tip and First Goal Flutter tip - plus a Euro Banker from Spain.

The Nap

The FA Cup, English football’s oldest and most prestigious knockout competition, dominates the landscape this weekend and one of the most intriguing ties of the weekend sees West Ham travel to sixth-tier outfit Kidderminster Harriers on Saturday.

The BBC are televising the content, but fans tuning in hoping to witness a shock would do well to remember that the last times these two teams met, the Hammers ran out 8-0 winners.

Kidderminster are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition and don’t the bookies just know it, with the home win in 90 minutes priced up at a hefty 16/1 in places.

Kiddy have only lost once so far in 2022 and did brilliantly to turn Reading over in round three, whereas West Ham’s recent form has been somewhat erratic. Four wins on the bounce between December and January got their East London fans daring to dream, but they followed that little run with back-to-back defeats against Leeds and Manchester United.

But in fairness to David Moyes, the Hammers were desperately unlucky to lose at Old Trafford, and even a much-changed XI this weekend should have too much quality for Kiddy here.

The Aggborough Stadium should be bouncing, but the smart money is on West Ham and a 2-0 away win can be backed at 5/1.

The Nap – West Ham to win 2-0 at 5/1 (bet365/Skybet)

 

Value Tip

The bookies rate Hartlepool United as the biggest outsiders this weekend, with Pools chalked up at 33/1 to spring a shock against Crystal Palace. 

The League Two side have struggled this season but have saved their best performances for the cups and are currently one game away from Wembley in the Papa John’s Trophy.

Graeme Lee’s side battled back from a goal down to beat Championship side Blackpool in round three, so will see this trip to South London as something of a free hit. 

Patrick Vieira has a wealth of attacking options to choose from, and the gulf in terms of quality between the two squads is as obvious as it is vast. However, it is inevitable there will be a few shocks this weekend (this is the FA Cup after all) and plucky Hartlepool, who have already beaten the likes of Charlton, Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday in cup competitions this term, might be worth a small tickle at massive odds.  

They have never reached the fifth round of the FA Cup, but the stars could yet align for them at Selhurst Park.

Value Tip – Hartlepool United to beat Crystal Palace at 33/1 (Coral/Ladbrokes)

 

First Goal Flutter

He may not be a household name just yet, but Max Woltman is a lively striker with a genuine eye for goal who could be the man to get with in terms of a first goalscorer when Liverpool host Cardiff City on Sunday.

The 18-year-old has plenty of admirers at Anfield, having been involved with their Academy since the age of seven.

He scored 13 goals for the U18s during an impressive 2020-21 campaign as Liverpool reached the FA Youth Cup final, and with Egypt captain Mohamed Salah still away on international duty the young gunslinger could be given a start by Jurgen Klopp against the Bluebirds, who have been toiling in the lower reaches of the in recent months.  

First Goal Flutter – Woltman to score first at 4/1 (Betfair/Paddy Power)

 

The Euro Banker

The 2020-21 La Liga title race was remarkable, with Atletico Madrid holding their nerve to pip eternal rivals Real Madrid and Barcelona. It was only the second time in 17 years that Atleti had been crowned champions, and the victory was especially sweet for a certain Luis Suarez after he has been shown the door by Barcelona the previous summer. 

However, both Atleti and Barca have faltered badly so far this season, and the teams meet in a fascinating clash at the Camp Nou on Sunday.

In truth, this season has been a shocker for Barcelona fans. A fire sale, including club legend Lionel Messi, has done little to alleviate a reported £1bn of club debt and at time of writing the club are languishing in fifth place in La Liga. They sacked Ronald Koeman after just 14 months in charge in October but appointing another club legend in Xavi has not had the desired effect and they could be heading for another ‘L’ this weekend.

Los Colchoneros beat the ‘Blaugrana’ 2-0 back in October, and it could be worth siding with Diego Simeone’s men again at an eye-catching 9/4.   

The Euro Banker - Atletico Madrid to beat Barcelona at 9/4 (Betfair)