CRYSTAL PALACE and Aston Villa collide in their FA Cup semi-final showdown at Wembley on Saturday with both looking to book a place in May's grand finale.
SunSport betting experts have previewed the contest and selected the best bets, tips and exclusive sign-up bonuses from our leading betting partners.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa preview
The stage is set for a thrilling FA Cup semi-final as Crystal Palace and Aston Villa head to Wembley on Saturday, each desperate to book a place in next month’s final.
For Palace, the occasion represents another chance to end their long wait for silverware. Despite reaching the semi-finals for the third time in a decade, the Eagles are still chasing a maiden FA Cup triumph.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, are eyeing their first major trophy since 1996 and arrive at Wembley with a point to prove after a dramatic midweek defeat to Manchester City.
Unai Emery’s men looked set to leave the Etihad with a draw until a 94th-minute strike from Matheus Nunes sealed a late win for City, leaving Villa just outside the Champions League places.
Nevertheless, Villa’s form remains formidable.
They’ve won 11 of their last 13 matches in all competitions, notching 32 goals and keeping six clean sheets in that run.
An extra day’s rest following their Tuesday fixture could also prove crucial.
However, Aston Villa have won none of their last four matches against Crystal Palace in all competitions (D1 L3), conceding 13 goals. Palace knocked them out of the League Cup earlier this season, with Spurs the only side to eliminate them from both the FA and League Cups in the same campaign in 1968-69.
They've also lost six of their last eight games at Wembley
Crystal Palace, on the other hand, head into the tie buoyed by what manager Oliver Glasner described as their “best performance in weeks”; during Wednesday’s 2-2 draw with Arsenal.
The Eagles twice came from behind at the Emirates, with Jean-Philippe Mateta’s stunning equaliser earning plaudits as a potential goal of the season contender.
That result came as a much-needed boost, with Palace having won just once in their previous five Premier League outings, a run which included heavy defeats to Manchester City and Newcastle.
Crystal Palace also have faced Aston Villa three times in the FA Cup and have been eliminated each time, losing 5-0 in the third round in 1912-13, 4-3 in the third round in 1961-62 and 3-1 in a fifth round replay in 2009-10.
The winner of Saturday’s tie will return to Wembley in May to face either Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa preview betting odds
- Crystal Palace 23/10 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
- Draw 9/4 with Betfred – CLAIM HERE
- Aston Villa 5/4 with BetMGM – CLAIM HERE
Odds are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa preview betting tips and predictions
Kryptonite
Crystal Palace star Ismaila Sarr enjoys playing against Aston Villa. The winger has been involved in four goals in two starts against the Villans this season (3 goals, 1 assist).
Furthermore, in his five starts against Villa in all competitions in his career, he has either scored (5 goals) or assisted (2 goals) in each start.
Furthermore, Everton have the division's fourth-lowest away goals tally over the last six games (6) and the fifth-lowest xG (6.62).
- Ismaila Sarr to score or assist at 9/5 with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
Like a Rash
It seems difficult to oppose a Marcus Rashford goal at Wembley this weekend, especially in a game where we expect goals.
His move to Aston Villa has clearly seen him return to his brilliant best having netted four goals and provided six assists in 17 appearances.
In domestic cups this season, Rashford has had a hand in six goals (4 goals, 2 assists) for Man Utd and Aston Villa. Since the start of 2016-17, he has been involved in 40 goals in 60 games these competitions (26 goals, 14 assists), more than any other Premier League player.
- Marcus Rashford to score or assist at Evens with William Hill – CLAIM HERE
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