[h=1]Best weekend bets for FA Cup, Prem matches\[/h]James EasthamSpecial to ESPN.com
ESPN INSIDER
The Premier League title race continues to dominate people's attention, but the FA Cup semifinals take place this weekend as well. ESPN Chalk handicapper James Eastham picks out the smart selections across England this weekend.
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[h=2]Saturday[/h][h=2]FA Cup semifinal[/h]Manchester United vs. Everton
Asian handicap: Manchester United -0.25 (-128) vs. Everton +0.25 (+116)
3-way line: Manchester United +107 / Everton +290 / Draw +257
Total: 2.5 (Over +109, Under -122)
Roberto Martinez's chances of hanging onto his job suffered a further blow when his side lost 4-0 at Liverpool on Wednesday night. Defeat in the Merseyside derby makes victory in this FA Cup semifinal even more important for the Everton manager, who has found himself receiving increasing criticism from fans in recent weeks.
Everton are underdogs, which is fair given that Manchester United are six places and 18 points ahead of Everton in the Premier League standings and have won home and away against Everton in the league this season. The 3-way line prices look about right, but it's tempting to go high on the total line given how Everton have defended in recent weeks. Attack is the Toffees' best option as they are conceding freely at the moment (12 goals in their last eight fixtures) while United have scored in seven of their last eight fixtures and are likely to breach the Everton back line, which would make this a more open game.
ESPN Chalk pick: Over 2.5 goals (+109)
[h=2]Premier League[/h]Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
Asian handicap: Liverpool -1 (+106) vs. Newcastle United +1 (-113)
3-way line: Liverpool -163 / Newcastle United +489 / Draw +334
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 62 percent Liverpool
Total: 3 (Over +104, Under -114)
This is bound to be an emotional return to Anfield for Rafael Benitez but his Newcastle United side will need to improve considerably for the Spaniard to be feeling pleased at the end of the afternoon. Newcastle were 3-0 winners over Swansea City last weekend but this game represents a serious step-up in class: Liverpool are on a run of four straight wins in all competitions and have scored four times in each of their last three home games (4-0 vs Everton, 4-3 vs Borussia Dortmund, 4-1 vs Stoke City).
The loss of Divock Origi to injury blunts the attack but should not stop Liverpool finding the target: Seven different players have got on the scoresheet in the Reds' past four matches, so the hosts will retain a clear goal threat without the in-form Belgium striker. Newcastle may find it difficult to know how to approach the game: a point would normally be a good result at Anfield but they cannot afford to accept a draw as they are in the relegation zone. In the end they may fall between two stools, leaving themselves open to becoming the latest victims of Liverpool's exhilarating burst of form.
ESPN Chalk pick: Liverpool -1 Asian handicap (+106)
[h=2]Sunday[/h]Leicester City vs. Swansea City
Asian handicap: Leicester City -0.5 (-125) vs. Swansea City +0.5 (+116)
3-way line: Leicester City -125 / Swansea City +419 / Draw +269
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 56 percent Leicester
Total: 2.25 (Over -106, Under -102)
They're not going to throw it away, are they? Questions are being asked of Leicester City's ability to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League following Sunday's 2-2 home draw against West Ham, but the truth is it that it was a fairly typical Foxes performance. They have won a lot of games 1-0 recently without dominating, and it was fairly likely they would drop points eventually as they simply were not playing well enough to maintain their run of victories.
Jamie Vardy will be suspended this week after getting sent off against West Ham, but even without their 22-goal leading scorer, the hosts' chances of winning this game -- around 55 percent, according to the market -- appear slightly underestimated given how much is at stake for Leicester, how well they have handled the pressure so far, their outstanding home record against sides below the top six (10-0-2) and the fact Swansea City have nothing to play for. If Leicester are to trip up, it is unlikely to happen this weekend.
ESPN Chalk pick: Leicester City -0.5 Asian handicap (-125)
Sunderland vs. Arsenal
Asian handicap: Sunderland +0.75 (-106) vs. Arsenal -0.75 (+100)
3-way line: Sunderland +389 / Arsenal -130 / Draw +299
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 57 percent Arsenal
Total: 2.5 (Over -108, Under -101)
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</article>Sam Allardyce says he and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger get on better these days but that won't stop the Sunderland manager from trying to put one over on his former nemesis. The two have clashed several times down the years and there will be an edge to this game as there is something at stake for both sides: the hosts battle to avoid relegation and Arsenal look to secure yet another top-four finish.
Sunderland won impressively at bottom-six rivals Norwich City (3-0) last weekend and will be confident of taking another step towards safety against the stuttering visitors. Arsenal have dropped points in their last two matches (1-1 at home to Crystal Palace, 3-3 at West Ham United) and won just two of their last seven fixtures (2-2-3). The Gunners have plenty of attacking talent, but do they have the stomach and endurance to beat hosts that have several players in good form and a manager who relishes taking points off bigger clubs? It's doubtful. Back Sunderland to avoid defeat.
ESPN Chalk pick: Sunderland +0.75 Asian handicap (+106)
ESPN INSIDER
The Premier League title race continues to dominate people's attention, but the FA Cup semifinals take place this weekend as well. ESPN Chalk handicapper James Eastham picks out the smart selections across England this weekend.
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[h=2]Saturday[/h][h=2]FA Cup semifinal[/h]Manchester United vs. Everton
Asian handicap: Manchester United -0.25 (-128) vs. Everton +0.25 (+116)
3-way line: Manchester United +107 / Everton +290 / Draw +257
Total: 2.5 (Over +109, Under -122)
Roberto Martinez's chances of hanging onto his job suffered a further blow when his side lost 4-0 at Liverpool on Wednesday night. Defeat in the Merseyside derby makes victory in this FA Cup semifinal even more important for the Everton manager, who has found himself receiving increasing criticism from fans in recent weeks.
Everton are underdogs, which is fair given that Manchester United are six places and 18 points ahead of Everton in the Premier League standings and have won home and away against Everton in the league this season. The 3-way line prices look about right, but it's tempting to go high on the total line given how Everton have defended in recent weeks. Attack is the Toffees' best option as they are conceding freely at the moment (12 goals in their last eight fixtures) while United have scored in seven of their last eight fixtures and are likely to breach the Everton back line, which would make this a more open game.
ESPN Chalk pick: Over 2.5 goals (+109)
[h=2]Premier League[/h]Liverpool vs. Newcastle United
Asian handicap: Liverpool -1 (+106) vs. Newcastle United +1 (-113)
3-way line: Liverpool -163 / Newcastle United +489 / Draw +334
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 62 percent Liverpool
Total: 3 (Over +104, Under -114)
This is bound to be an emotional return to Anfield for Rafael Benitez but his Newcastle United side will need to improve considerably for the Spaniard to be feeling pleased at the end of the afternoon. Newcastle were 3-0 winners over Swansea City last weekend but this game represents a serious step-up in class: Liverpool are on a run of four straight wins in all competitions and have scored four times in each of their last three home games (4-0 vs Everton, 4-3 vs Borussia Dortmund, 4-1 vs Stoke City).
The loss of Divock Origi to injury blunts the attack but should not stop Liverpool finding the target: Seven different players have got on the scoresheet in the Reds' past four matches, so the hosts will retain a clear goal threat without the in-form Belgium striker. Newcastle may find it difficult to know how to approach the game: a point would normally be a good result at Anfield but they cannot afford to accept a draw as they are in the relegation zone. In the end they may fall between two stools, leaving themselves open to becoming the latest victims of Liverpool's exhilarating burst of form.
ESPN Chalk pick: Liverpool -1 Asian handicap (+106)
[h=2]Sunday[/h]Leicester City vs. Swansea City
Asian handicap: Leicester City -0.5 (-125) vs. Swansea City +0.5 (+116)
3-way line: Leicester City -125 / Swansea City +419 / Draw +269
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 56 percent Leicester
Total: 2.25 (Over -106, Under -102)
They're not going to throw it away, are they? Questions are being asked of Leicester City's ability to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League following Sunday's 2-2 home draw against West Ham, but the truth is it that it was a fairly typical Foxes performance. They have won a lot of games 1-0 recently without dominating, and it was fairly likely they would drop points eventually as they simply were not playing well enough to maintain their run of victories.
Jamie Vardy will be suspended this week after getting sent off against West Ham, but even without their 22-goal leading scorer, the hosts' chances of winning this game -- around 55 percent, according to the market -- appear slightly underestimated given how much is at stake for Leicester, how well they have handled the pressure so far, their outstanding home record against sides below the top six (10-0-2) and the fact Swansea City have nothing to play for. If Leicester are to trip up, it is unlikely to happen this weekend.
ESPN Chalk pick: Leicester City -0.5 Asian handicap (-125)
Sunderland vs. Arsenal
Asian handicap: Sunderland +0.75 (-106) vs. Arsenal -0.75 (+100)
3-way line: Sunderland +389 / Arsenal -130 / Draw +299
PickCenter public consensus moneyline pick: 57 percent Arsenal
Total: 2.5 (Over -108, Under -101)
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</article>Sam Allardyce says he and Arsenal counterpart Arsene Wenger get on better these days but that won't stop the Sunderland manager from trying to put one over on his former nemesis. The two have clashed several times down the years and there will be an edge to this game as there is something at stake for both sides: the hosts battle to avoid relegation and Arsenal look to secure yet another top-four finish.
Sunderland won impressively at bottom-six rivals Norwich City (3-0) last weekend and will be confident of taking another step towards safety against the stuttering visitors. Arsenal have dropped points in their last two matches (1-1 at home to Crystal Palace, 3-3 at West Ham United) and won just two of their last seven fixtures (2-2-3). The Gunners have plenty of attacking talent, but do they have the stomach and endurance to beat hosts that have several players in good form and a manager who relishes taking points off bigger clubs? It's doubtful. Back Sunderland to avoid defeat.
ESPN Chalk pick: Sunderland +0.75 Asian handicap (+106)
