Football: Spurs attract at 9-2 for FA Cup

SPORTS BETTING

IT IS a rare occurrence to find Manchester United at odds of 5-1 to win a six-runner race, yet Ladbrokes have the Premiership leaders at that price to win the FA Cup after their failure to dispatch Chelsea at Old Trafford on Sunday. Barnsley, at 40-1, are the only team deemed less likely to lift the Cup.

The extent of United's difficulties is emphasised by their price of 9- 4, with Coral, to triumph in Wednesday's replay at Stamford Bridge. The attractive bet there, given how closely matched the two sides are and their unwillingness to give anything away in defence, may be the 90-minute draw at 9-4 with William Hill.

With a semi-final against Arsenal looming for whoever progresses, the other side of the draw looks a more attractive proposition for finding the Cup winners. Newcastle, having found their scoring touch, are as short as 11-4 with Stanley but they will not face a side as weak as Everton again in the competition and even the 4-1 generally on offer looks mean. Better to stick with the Cup specialists Tottenham, who must eliminate Barnsley at Oakwell in their postponed sixth-round tie and then Newcastle in the semi-final. Ladbrokes rate them a 3-1 chance to triumph at Wembley, so the 9-2 on offer with Stanley looks healthy.

FA CUP 6TH ROUND REPLAY

C H L S T

Chelsea 5-4 5-4 11-8 6-4 6-5

Draw 7-4 9-4 2-1 11-5 11-5

Man Utd 9-4 7-4 7-4 6-4 15-8

Stamford Bridge, tomorrow