English FA CUP
2008-03-08 - Barnsley vs Chelsea
A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser
Analysis:Defending Champions Chelsea will aim to take a closer step to Wembley when they travel to take on English Championship side Barnsley for this FA Cup fixture. Having lost to Tottenham in the Carling Cup Final, Chelsea will want to get their hands on the FA Cup now as they are far beyond Arsenal and Manchester United’s reach in the Premiership and are not guaranteed to win the Champions League by any chance.
Barnsley last made it to the FA Cup quarter-finals in the 1998/99 season and were then knocked out by another London club in the form of Tottenham Hotspurs at home. Meanwhile Chelsea’s last exit in the FA Cup was in the 1994/1995 season at the hands of Milwall so Avram Grant side will be eager for it not to happen again going into this match.
The home side having eliminated Liverpool in the previous round were hope to take their giant killing act a step further when they welcome the holders of the FA Cup to their home grounds in this match. But ever since beating Liverpool they have had this fixture in mind that they have been somewhat distracted as they have not managed a win since then registering three draws and a defeat since then in the Championships.
Chelsea on the other hand managed a 3-1 win over Huddersfield in the last round and is still hopeful of capturing the three titles at stake – the Premiership – although it looks slim, the FA Cup and The Champions League.
In midweek they beat Greek side Olympiakos 3-0 and will be hopeful of progressing further at the hands of the Championships side here.
With regards to the team news, the home side Barnsley will miss the services of Heinz Muller and Anderson De Silva who are out on a long term while striker Jon Macken and defender Lewin Nyatanga for this competition having played with other clubs.
As for Chelsea, Grant is likely to bring in the likes of Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda and Nicolas Anelka for this match which could see a rotation of his side once again. IN goal we sill see Carlo Cudicini starting as Petr Cech sustained an ankle injury in training and missed out their last clash with Olympiakos. Andriy Shevchenko is still not fit for this match as well.
Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser
The Pick :
Chelsea to win 2-0 or 3-0
BEST BETTING TIP :
Take Chelsea to win this match.
Gooner’s Statistical Value Bet
Take Chelsea and give the 1 1/2 ball away here.
