FA Cup Final Preview

Portsmouth v Cardiff
FA Cup Final
Saturday, 3pm (UK time)

This is the first FA Cup since 1991 not to feature one of the so-called Big Four clubs and promises to be a lively betting event. The 8/11 favourites are Premiership side Portsmouth and manager Harry Redknapp has said winning the Cup has been his main motivation.
After the semi-finals it was almost as if Redknapp had ordered his players to take it easy as they had a terrible run in the league at the end of the season, their form for the last six games reading W1, D1, L4. What is certain is that Redknapp will have his players fitter than ever for this clash as he badly wants to win it. He has said that if he wins the Cup it will be the crowning glory of his entire career.
Portsmouth’s form in this competition has been pretty good with four of their five FA Cup matches (against Ipswich, Preston, Man Utd and West Brom) ending in 1-0 wins. They have only conceded one goal and that was in the fourth round. Three of these games were away, including a trip to Man Utd at Old Trafford so the form looks rock solid.
Their opponents, Cardiff, who finished the season in 12th spot in the Championship league, have arguably been dreaming of Wembley for longer, the last time they lined up for an FA Cup being 1927.

Considering this is a game at Wembley against a Premiership outfit, Cardiff’s away form is a massive concern. They only won four away league games all season, with the last of those being in December. The full away record reads: P23, W4, D12, L7.

There hasn’t been a major shock in the FA Cup Final since Wimbledon in 1988 and to our minds it doesn’t look like there will be one here either.
There might not be many goals (five of the last 17 FA Cup Finals have ended 1-0) so it could pay to bet on a couple of the likelier scorelines.

Recommended Bets:
2pts on Portsmouth to win 1-0 at 6/1
1pt on Portsmouth to win 2-0 at 7/1