FA CUP FIFTH ROUND TIPS: GAME FOR AN ALL-ACTION 7/1 ACCA?
Eight teams will book their place in the FA Cup quarter-finals over the coming days with 11 Premier League sides still in the mix – including Arsenal, Manchester City and Liverpool, all of whom play away.
They’re joined by three Championship hopefuls as well as League One surprise packages Mansfield Town and Port Vale, who continue to defy the odds in football’s oldest cup competition.
So with plenty on the line and no shortage of drama, we’ve lined up a 7/1 Acca that serves as a whistle-stop tour of the most intriguing ties of the fifth round.
Leg 1 – 4+ goals in Mansfield vs Arsenal
The Gunners go into Saturday’s early kick-off practically imperious, with eight goals scored and only one conceded in their previous two FA Cup games against Portsmouth and Wigan.
Mansfield Town are very much of the same ilk as those previous opponents; a physical lower league side that will likely employ a low block to slow down the most successful team in the competition’s history.
But try as Nigel Clough’s side may, their opponents have shown they are capable of blowing any team away regardless of where they sit within the football pyramid – while rotating key personnel in multiple positions.
And blow them away they will.
Leg 2 – BTTS in Wrexham vs Chelsea
The last time Wrexham played Chelsea? A pre-season friendly back in 2024 ending 2-2 on the day.
Fast-forward nearly two years and here they are again but under wildly different circumstances with a place in the FA Cup quarter final up for grabs – an opportunity that should make for great television.
Which is why we’re leaning towards both teams to score in this one, which has landed in three of Wrexham’s last five and five in Chelsea’s last six.
The Red Dragons are in fine form at the moment with three wins on the spin in the Championship as their impressive play-off push continues.
The Blues come in after a statement 4-1 away win at Aston Villa and certainly have the squad to test Wrexham’s mettle in what could very well serve as a preview for next year’s Premier League should the Welsh side turn a dream into reality.
Leg 3 – Enzo Le Fee to score or assist vs Port Vale
Port Vale were the last team to qualify for this round after their previous game against Bristol City was suspended.
They face a game Sunderland side with a few injuries and suspensions but not in areas that should matter as far as scoring or assisting is concerned, which is where the spotlight turns to one Enzo Le Fee.
The French midfielder has taken to the Premier League in some style, leading the Black Cats in goals and assists with eight in the top flight alone.
His opening goal against Everton in the third round is partly why they’re celebrating their best FA Cup campaign in over a decade and, with how he’s playing at the moment, he could be a major reason the good times keep on rolling with a cup win against the Valiants.
Leg 4 – Leeds to go through vs Norwich
Rounding out our 7/1 Acca is for the home side in Sunday’s clash to move into the next round against a side they’ve not lost to in eight.
We’re of course talking about Leeds, who have had Norwich’s number for quite some time now – since 2019, to be exact, which will certainly be on the minds of the Canaries going into Sunday’s 16:30 kick-off.
Leeds losing their previous two home games on the bounce only adds to the importance of this game if the Whites are to pick themselves back up heading into the all-important business end of the season domestically.
Unfortunately for Philippe Clement’s men, that means their impressive cup run is likely to be clipped here in front of what is sure to be a lively Elland Road crowd.
Odds correct at time of publication but subject to change.
