We don’t tend to focus too much on soccer unless there is a very big game coming up, or the USMNT or USWNT are involved in key games, but this weekend we do indeed have a very important game set to take place.
In England, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool team will take on compatriot Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea side with the oldest and most prestigious domestic cup trophy on the line, the FA Cup.
Were going to take a quick look at the game this weekend, with odds and markets taken from DraftKings Sportsbook, and hopefully we can put you on to some good value betting options for this intriguing clash between two of England and Europe’s top teams.
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What is The FA Cup?
The FA Cup is a knockout competition that involves thousands of teams across
England, both professional and amateur, although the top teams, such as those in the Premier League, don’t join the competition until the Third Round in January.
Prior to that thousands of amateur teams compete across many rounds of competition, along with teams from the lower reaches of the English soccer pyramid, to earn a coveted place in the third round draw.
From then on the 64 teams are whittled down over a series of one off, win or bust games with two teams winning through to the final at Wembley, which is traditionally played in May each year.
Although not as prestigious as it once was, the FA Cup remains a very important trophy to win for top teams in England and it is the most famous, and oldest, knockout cup competition in world football.
And this year, Liverpool and Chelsea will battle it out for victory in a repeat of the Carabao Cup Final which we gave you a preview of back in February.
FA Cup Final Preview
Liverpool and Chelsea have met three times this season and each time, after 90
minutes, the two teams could not be separated,
First off, they drew 1-1 at Anfield in Liverpool back in August and then in January, they drew 2-2 at Chelsea’s home ground, Stamford Bridge.
Then when they met at Wembley after 90 minutes plus 30 minutes of extra time, the teams were tied 0-0. Liverpool going on to snatch the trophy thanks to an 11-10 win via penalty shootout.
The two teams have been rivals domestically and in Europe ever since the Roman Abramovich era began and they sit second (Liverpool) and third (Chelsea) in the Premier League table respectively.
Star men to watch in the game for Liverpool include their Egyptian goalscoring superstar Mo Salah, Senegalese striker Sadio Mane, their flying full backs Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson, plus their star defender Virgil Van Dijk. Recent signing Luis Diaz is another to watch.
For Chelsea, USMNT star Christian Pulisic is obviously one for US Fans to watch, though he is likely to start this game on the bench. Those who should play to keep an eye on include defender Thiago Silva, full back Reece James, Mason Mount in midfield and Kai Havertz, the tall German forward.
Here’s Our Best FA Cup Final Tips
DraftKings currently have Liverpool as the +110 favorites to win the game, with Chelsea +250 and the draw +255. Given that the last three games between the teams all finished as a draw after 90 minutes, you’d be thinking that looks the solid bet here.
That said, I just feel at the moment Liverpool are in much better form than Chelsea and though this is a one-off game, the Reds have won their last two cup finals against the Londoners (the Super Cup back in 2019 and the Carabao Cup this year) both on penalties.
So for me, I’d take Liverpool to win here at those +110 odds and for a solid goalscorer prop bet, take Sadio Mane to score at anytime for Liverpool at +200 with the Senegalese star in a rich vein of goalscoring form for his club.
Kick-off is 11.45am ET in the US (4.45pm UK Time).
