It’s a bit early to talk about the 128th FA Cup Final between Everton and Chelsea, but there is no better time to find a value bet.

I’m not referring the the FA Cup Winner market, which is unattractive from a betting point of view. If you had a wager before Manchester United were knocked out, then hats off.

Everton were 33/1 shots at the beginning of the year to crash the Big Four party, but are now generally available at 7/4 to lift the trophy on 30 May.

Toffees supporters would probably get a better run for their money with 4/1 in the 90 minutes betting, but 17/2 for Everton/Everton in the HT/FT market is a good trade if Everton open the scoring – a 7/4 chance.

Chelsea are a stand-out 10/11 to win in 90 minutes with Sky Bet, but the treble could be a better value bet at 66/1 with William Hill. 

At this early stage, the betting value lies with the 0-0 scoreline. The bore draw is 17/2 with Victor Chandler, which simply must be backed.

The last two Wembley finals have finished 1-0, but the surface has been criticised for being ‘spongy and dead’. The surface and the pressure of the occasion make the 0-0 quite a likely result.

Sir Alex Ferguson wants the FA to improve the surface, but thankfully we won’t have to put up with his ranting before the Final. In the week preceding the FA Cup Final there are three Play-Off Finals.

We recommended the bore draw in the Carling Cup Final at 10/1, as it tends to be under-bet.

I’d still consider the scoreline if the best price available was 5/1, but when you compare odds online, the punter can find better value.

Following Man U’s exit from the competition, they are now 5/2 to win a quadruple.

bookies.com is the best place to go to compare FA Cup odds:

FA Cup Winner 2009 Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Match Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Over/Under Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton HT/FT Betting

FA Cup Final 2009: Chelsea v Everton Correct Score Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea. Champions League. Again. 

Should be an easy one betting-wise; they met in the semis last year and both play in the Premier League.

A handful of bookies are undecided as to who’ll progress through this tie, offering 5/6 about both teams.

Corals report that they’ve seen equal amounts of money for both sides, although Chelsea are odds-against to qualify on Betfair.

Backing a team at 5/6 isn’t going to make you rich, and Wednesday’s match betting doesn’t look particularly rewarding. Liverpool are best priced at 11/8 with Paddy Power to beat Chelsea at Anfield, the draw is available at 11/5 and an away victory at 11/4.

Liverpool are 11/4 with Skybet to make the final and 11/5 to get knocked out in the semis like last year.

The sides last met at the same venue in February, with Liverpool winning in the last few minutes thanks to a Torres double. Florent Malouda thinks Chelsea are better, but the same correct score can be backed at 9/1. 

Torres is 10/1 with Paddy Power to score 2 goals or more.

In such a tight encounter, my preference is with the 0-0 scoreline, which usually offers cracking value. Boylesports are the only firm going 7/1 about No Goalscorer, which gives you room for the own goal nightmare.

Remember that Riise scored one in the 94th minute last year. He is no longer with the Reds.

I fancy under 2.5 goals, but 8/15 is a shocking price. Liverpool have scored in each of their last 18 CL matches, so preference would be for the 1-0 home win at 6/1 with Blue Square.

Another juicy price is 4/1 for the draw/draw outcome in the half-time/full-time market.

bookies.com conveniently compares all football odds in one place – so make sure you always get the best available price!

Liverpool v Chelsea Match Betting 

Liverpool v Chelsea Asian Handicap Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea Correct Score Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea First Goalscorer Betting

Liverpool v Chelsea Half-time/Full-time Betting

Nicholas Anelka is out injured for 3 weeks, yet is still the 7/4 market leader in the Top Goalscorer market for the English Premier League. He is currently at the top with 15 goals to his name, but hasn’t been finding the target lately now that Hiddink plays him on the wing.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gerrard are both on 13 goals, but I prefer Skybet’s 5/1 about Gerrard to 11/4 Ronaldo.

Gerrard scored a hat-trick yesterday and is the set-piece taker for the form team in the Premier League – Liverpool, who are now into 11/4 to win.

Liverpool have some tough fixtures, but Gerrard is always a goal threat. Get on him each way at 5/1 before the price shortens!

Recommendation:

3pts each way @ 5/1 S. Gerrard Top Goalscorer (1,2 – 1/3 odds Skybet)

bookies.com is your best bet for comparing Premier League odds:

Top Goalscorer Betting

Outright Winner Betting

Winner w/o Man U Betting

Relegation Betting

Man U host Chelsea on Sunday, in a match which could have a massive impact on the title race. The Red Devils are the favourites to win the Premier League at this stage, generally available at 11/8. Having traded at odds-on in November, Chelsea have drifted out to 9/4. I’m not interested in any of those prices, because of the low return and time period. Liverpool are 13/5, from a massive 8/1 before the season started.

Will it finally be Liverpool’s year? I expect them to win at Stoke (4/9) today, probably by a comfortable margin. If Chelsea lose at Old Trafford, the betting will get turned on its head. Liverpool ought to then be the 2nd favourites, whilst Man U could well go odds-on.

I reckon that Sunday’s clash will be a close encounter, which is supported by the prices. Both teams are odds-against, but the draw looks short at 9/4. The draw is a strong possibility, but I’d prefer taking 8/1 on a 0-0 scoreline, or 11/2 for the 1-1 which we successfully backed in the reverse fixture.

Man U have made a habit of winning regularly, despite not reaching top gear. 13/10 looks a bit short in a match that could go either way, but they do have the best current home form – 6 wins on the trot. Worryingly, they haven’t beaten another member of the Big 4 this season, although all of those fixtures have been away from home.

They scored a goal in all 3 of those matches, but 27/25 looks short in the Over 2.5 goals market. Chelsea must surely be the value bet in this match at 13/5, as they are unbeaten away from home. It would be fantastic if Phil Scolari started both Drogba and Anelka up front, who are both 8/1 to open the scoring.

However I’d like the draw on my side as well, which is why I’m recommending a small lay of Man U on Betfair. They are trading at 2.30 (5/4), so a Man U victory won’t break the bank.

Recommendation:

LAY Man U vs Chelsea @ 2.3 to win 3pts (Risk losing 3.9pts)

bookies.com is fantastic for comparing football odds between the UK bookmakers:

Man U v Chelsea Match Betting

Man U v Chelsea Over/Under 2.5 Goals Betting

Man U v Chelsea Asian Handicap Betting

Man U v Chelsea First Goalscorer Betting

Man U v Chelsea Correct Score Betting