Chelsea v Portsmouth FA Cup Final 2010 Betting Preview

The biggest match of the domestic season is approaching and this Saturday two teams from complete opposite ends of the table will fight it out for the FA Cup. For Chelsea it is the opportunity to complete the domestic double after winning the Premiership title with an emphatic 8-0 victory over Wigan on the final day of the season. For Portsmouth, the FA Cup would provide a swansong to life in the Premiership for them and some much needed revenue from the prize money. It is a true David and Goliath contest, and the betting odds from bwin give you the opportunity to bet on all parts of the match.

Saturday, May 15th 2010 Kick-off 3.00pm

Chelsea 11/25 Draw 11/2 Portsmouth 29/2

Note that these odds are not for either team to lift the cup, but for the result after normal time. If the match goes into extra-time, bets on the 11/2 for the draw would win. There are currently 99 different bets being offered by bwin.com and here are the selections I feel are the most attractive. Do not just take my word for it, however, visit their site and check out all the betting opportunities for yourself and pick out your favourites.

The bet that immediately appeals to me is the 6/5 for Chelsea to win with a -2 goal handicap. Considering they beat Wigan 8-0 in what was a mockery of the apparent pressure they would be under to close out the title with Man Utd winning their match 4-0, Chelsea must be fancying a showcase final where they score many goals. Players like Drogba, Anelka and Lampard will all want to get onto the score sheet. You may therefore, as I do, like the bet that offers 13/10 for there to be over 3.5 goals (i.e. 4 or more).

My prediction in terms of the score for this match is 4-0 to Chelsea which would pay 15/2. I also think that if Portsmouth do well they might sneak a goal so 3-1 would be my second correct score tip and that would pay 8/1. FA Cup finals have had the tendency to see teams playing very cautiously at the beginning and Avram Grant will want a tight defence. If Portsmouth can frustrate Chelsea and deny them openings then you might like the price for a tense 0-0 draw after normal time. The odds for that is 10/1.

Regarding the likely first goal scorers the obvious candidates are Drogba 11/4, Anelka 7/2, Lampard 4/1, Kalou 5/1, and Malouda 5/1. I like Malouda at 5/1 as he has played very well and has been a real threat coming in from the wing this season. For Portsmouth to take an early lead the favourites for them to score first are Dindane 10/1, Piquionne 11/1 and Kanu 12/1.

However you decide to bet decide on how you think the match will go and then bet accordingly. I think either Drogba or Malouda will get an early goal then it will be a steady performance by Chelsea getting three or four goals in the match. For Portsmouth’s sake I hope they are not routed and I hope they can get one goal, but remember stranger things have happened and an upset is not impossible, just highly unlikely. For the team at the bottom of the league having faced so many problems this season to not only make it to the FA Cup Final but to then compete against the league champions is a tough ask. Hopefully the 3/20 for no red card is a winning bet as well as we do not want the action spoilt by a sending off.

Make sure you tune in to enjoy the action from this once a year occasion. If you are on the move you can sign up to bwin.com and bet via their bwin mobile betting service.

By Malcolm Clarke