Premier League and FA Cup parlay picks

This weekend will feature a mix of Premier League and FA Cup action in England, with some huge matches that can impact relegation, the Premier League top four, and of course which four teams will be heading to Wembley for the FA Cup semifinals.

The St. Patrick’s Day hangover is behind us and the focus is on the soccer and a four-leg parlay that pays out $91 off a $10 bet.

FA Cup: Manchester City (-1) vs. Everton (-190)

Everton’s form has been Jekyll and Hyde in recent weeks, as it looks like two different teams, home and away.

On the road, Everton has won six of its last eight games. The only points it dropped was in a defeat to Chelsea and 3-3 draw with Manchester United.

But at Goodison Park, it’s a different story. Everton has won just one of the last seven and lost to Fulham, Newcastle, and Burnley.

The bad news for the Toffees, but the great news for this prop bet, is this FA Cup tie is at Everton.

Man City’s incredible winning streak ended after 21 games, with defeat in the Manchester derby, but is has bounced right back, with three wins on the spin. In its last 12 games, Manchester City has won by two goals or more in 10, and that includes a 3-1 win at Goodison Park.

This bet would have won in five of the last six games between these teams and looks a solid play this weekend.

Premier League: Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, Under 3.5 goals (-275)

Aston Villa is a tricky team to pin down. In the last six weeks, it has gone from beating Arsenal to losing to Sheffield United to throwing away a lead to Newcastle in the dying minutes. But one way we can make money out of Villa is backing a low-scoring game.

Villa’s last seven matches have all featured fewer than 3.5 goals, and seven of Tottenham’s last nine were also under 3.5, with the only exceptions heavy defeats dished out to Fulham and Crystal Palace.

Jose Mourinho sets his teams up to be compact and disciplined, and that is mirrored by the man on the opposition bench, Dean Smith.

This bet would’ve clicked in 75% of Tottenham’s league games this season and 85% of Villa’s, and with both gaffers prioritizing substance over style, this match should be another low-scoring affair.

FA Cup: Chelsea to win to nil vs. Sheffield United (-109)

Considering Sheffield United’s disastrous season, it is incredible they are in the quarterfinals of the FA Cup. The Blades are destined for relegation and Paul Heckingbottom’s first game in charge as interim manager ended in a 5-0 thrashing at the hands of Leicester.

Morale in Sheffield United is not high, and that’s a complete contrast to the mood in Chelsea.

Not only is Chelsea unbeaten in its last 14 games (10 wins and four draws), but it has gone 10 hours of football without conceding a goal. In 13 games since Thomas Tuchel took over, Chelsea has kept a clean sheet in 11. It’s a remarkable record and one Chelsea can extend against Sheffield, as the Blades have failed to score in five of their last six matches.

Premier League: Draw or Newcastle vs. Brighton (+128)

Newcastle has won just two of its 13 games since the start of 2021, with just nine points from a possible 39. That run of form has seen the Magpies get dragged into a relegation scrap with Fulham and their opponent this weekend, Brighton.

Brighton’s purple patch in January, where it beat Liverpool and Tottenham and was undefeated in six games, has come to an end. Its crucial, 2-1 away win against Southampton ended a run of six games without a victory. And it’s worth remembering that Southampton team went into that match with nine defeats in 11 league games.

With neither team in form, the price offered on a Brighton win looks far too short. I’d much rather take Newcastle or draw in the double chance, knowing neither team will want to lose this game, and consequently it could be incredibly nervy, tight, and cautious.