FA Cup Opta Stats: Aguero to help Man City get revenge

"Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in seven FA Cup appearances for Man City."
Best Bet: Back Aguero to score against Wigan @ 1.768/11

Fuelled by Opta's insights, Michael Lintorn recommends a bet for every FA Cup quarter-final tie...

Arsenal v Everton (Saturday, 12:45, ITV)
Everton have won none of their last 19 away games against Arsenal in all competitions (W0 D4 L15)
Everton drew at the Emirates in the Premier League, but that was the only point they snared in five visits to top-five sides. Almost every stat points to Arsenal winning this time at generous odds. The Gunners are unbeaten in 13 domestic home ties, winning ten and conceding just three times. They have cleared ten of their last 11 FA Cup quarter-finals and lost twice ever as hosts in the competition under Arsene Wenger.
Recommended Bet: Back Arsenal to win @ 1.875/6

Sheff Utd v Charlton (Sunday, 12:00, BT Sport 1)
Chris Porter of Sheffield United has scored four goals in six FA Cup appearances this season
As Porter's League One strike rate this term is five in 21 outings, the stats paint him as an FA Cup specialist. However, his admirers can argue that his unremarkable league scoring is due to shuffling in and out of the team, whereas in the FA Cup, he is a protagonist. Either way, cup glory has helped the spot-kick specialist improve his league output, netting twice in his last 81 minutes of pitch time.
Recommended Bet: Back Porter to score @ 3.55n/a

Hull v Sunderland (Sunday, 14:00, ITV)
Hull have kept just two clean sheets in their last 14 FA Cup matches
Steve Bruce has won both meetings with the club that discarded him to nil this season, but expect greater balance to the scoresheet this time around. Hull's reputation as one of the meanest home defences around has been sullied by five KC Stadium ventures without a clean sheet, leaking four against Newcastle, while Sunderland have fired one away blank in seven, compared to six in a row prior to that.
Recommended Bet: Back both teams to score @ 2.111/10

Man City v Wigan (Sunday, 16:05, BT Sport 1)
Sergio Aguero has scored eight goals in seven FA Cup appearances for Man City
The stage was set in the Capital One Cup final for Aguero to return from over a month out injured to lead Man City to their first trophy of the campaign, yet his 58-minute comeback wasn't capped with a goal. That was only the third time in 19 games that the Argentine failed to score for the Citizens though, and you have to trawl way back to September 14 to find his last two-match goal "drought".
Best Bet: Back Aguero to score @ 1.768/11

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FA Cup Final: Mancini must decide on Dzeko or Aguero

"Dzeko was an unused sub in the semi-final against Chelsea after starting many of the earlier rounds but has certainly staked his claim with that goal."

After both final contestants played in midweek, Christian Crowther assesses the squads ahead of their Wembley showdown...

It's fair to say that Wigan's Wembley audition at home to Swansea in the Premier League did not go according to plan on Tuesday night.

Roberto Martinez was left to bemoan his side's calamitous defending in the 3-2 defeat at the DW Stadium which leaves the Latics three points adrift with only two games left to play.

Unsurprisingly, that damaging defeat sees Wigan rated 1.331/3 favourites to finally drop through the Premier League trapdoor.

Gary Caldwell's recall after injury was supposed to shore things up at the back but the experienced Scotsman was responsible for a woefully loose clearance which gifted Swansea their second equaliser.

Wigan's misery was further compounded by a suspected leg-break for substitute right-back Ronnie Stam who lasted under a minute after replacing Emmerson Boyce in the closing stages.

All these defensive injuries do not bode well for the FA Cup final on Saturday, for which Wigan are understandably priced as big 9.617/2 outsiders to win inside 90 minutes.

However, the Latics can take great heart from their display at the Etihad recently where they finally succumbed 1-0 after playing the better football for the majority of the contest.

With relegation now technically out of their hands, the underdogs can throw the shackles off for the full 90 minutes and give it their best shot.

There were no such troubles for their Wembley opponents Man City as they pulled through by that same 1-0 scoreline against West Brom to ensure they will definitely be competing in the Champions League next season.

Interestingly, in the light of Sir Alex Ferguson's impending retirement, Man City's have shortened to slight favourites at 3.02/1 to claim the title back in 2013/14.

Meanwhile, Edin Dzeko, the scorer of City's winner against the Baggies has given Roberto Mancini a headache over who to select up top come Saturday.

Dzeko was an unused sub in the semi-final against Chelsea after starting many of the earlier rounds but has certainly staked his claim with that goal.

It looks to be a straight choice between the Bosnian and Sergio Aguero, who scored the decider in the semi against Chelsea and, perhaps tellingly, got a full rest last night.

After sticking with second choice stopper Costel Pantilimon throughout this year's competition, Mancini has confirmed his intention to stick with the Romanian.

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Transfer News: Aguero to replace Tevez at City?

Premier League / Maxliu / 17 July 2011 / Leave a Comment

Eastlands bound?

"Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?"

If one Argentina strikers goes another may arrive at Eastlands, United chase "new Kaka" and Wenger prepares for life after Cesc. Let us know what you think of the latest transfer rumours...

If Argentine striker Carlos Tevez does leave Eastlands this summer - he's [1.15] to leave - then Diego Maradona's son-in-law might be the man who replaces him.

That's the latest rumour buzzing around Eastlands with the Blues reportedly interested in brining Sergio Aguero in from Atletico Madrid. The striker will cost City around £38 million - the type of fee they may recoup if Tevez leaves. However, City have so far failed to agree a fee with Corinthians, Tevez's main suitors, and there are only three days to go until the Brazilian transfer window closes. Is it worth having a small wager on Tevez to stay at [3.7]?

City fans, what do you think? With your team [5.2] to win the Premier League, is Augero the man for you if Tevez goes?

Forward motion is on the cards at White Hart Lane too with reports the Peter Crouch may leave Tottenham before the end of the transfer window. Betfair don't as yet have a To Stay market on the England striker so it's a surprise to here that he could return to Queens Park Rangers as Neil Warnock prepares a cheeky bid. Crouch spent a season at Loftus Road a decade ago but do the Hoops think he's the man to lead their Premier League charge this season?

Manchester United may not sign Samir Nasri - [1.6] to stay at Arsenal - but they are setting their sights on young Brazilian midfielder Paulo Henrique Ganso. Dubbed "the new Kaka", Ganso plays for Santos and it's understood that United might be able to land him for around £25 million.

Meanwhile, the arrival of ex-Red Devils John O'Shea and Wes Brown at the Stadium of Light means that Anton Ferdinand could find himself surplus to requirements. A return to West Ham might be on the cards for the defender or a move to Birmingham.

Arsene Wenger is already seeking replacements for Cesc Fabregas - [1.78] to stay at Arsenal - and Napoli's Marek Hamsik is at the top of his list. The Slovakian, who has, at the age of 23, already captained his country is seen as the ideal solution to filling the hole that the Spaniard would leave in the Gunners' midfield.

Harry Redknapp has once again insisted that wantaway midfielder Luka Modric will be a Spurs player at the start of the season....

Arsene Wenger does not plan to report Barcelona to FIFA over Xavi's comments about Cesc Fabregas but has hit out at the Barca player for being disrespectful....

The papers have combined to find four potential targets for Aston Villa as they try to improve their squad with the funds recouped for Ashley Young and Stewart Downing....

Patrick Vieira has announced the end of his glorious career, having won trophies with all four clubs that employed him since 1996 as well as reaching the top with his country....

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