BET DEC V SALE SHARKS (7 FEB)

 

It is the FA Cup third round this weekend – my favourite part of the competition, apart from when Arsenal are lifting the trophy, of course! I love the David v Goliath clashes the draw throws up, with this the stage at which the Premier League and Championship teams enter.

 

Arsenal face lower division opposition on Monday night, although Leeds United are hardly non League minnows.

 

United are sleeping giants and will be desperate to cause an upset after giving the Gunners a real scare at this stage last year. I copped a load of flack off my Leeds-supporting neighbour twelve months ago after his side earned a 1-1 draw at the Emirates to force a replay.

 

Arsene Wenger made a load of changes for that game and they just salvaged a draw with an injury time penalty from Cesc Fabregas to save them from elimination. He’ll know not to take Leeds lightly this time even though he’s likely to rest a big name or two.

 

Although I’m expecting Arsenal to win, you won’t get rich backing them at 1.22 on BETDAQ.

 

A bet I prefer is on the half-time/full-time double result. Arsenal are available at 1.7 to be leading after both 45 minutes and 90 minutes, but I fancy this one could go into the interval level.

 

Leeds will be desperate to contain their hosts and it might take an unfamiliar Arsenal line-up a little time to gel. You can get odds of 5.5 on BETDAQ for it to be a draw at half-time and Arsenal to win at full-time and that looks a great bet to me considering Arsenal have been drawing at the break in more than half of their games this season.

 

As for an overall winner, I just can’t look beyond either of the Manchester sides. United and City met yesterday and I reckon the winner of that tie will rightly be favourite.

 

The Gunners aren’t a terrible option at around 8.6 – it’s certainly about time they won something – and my outside tip, at 50.0, would be Sunderland, who I think will benefit hugely from appointing Martin O’Neill as manager.

 

Dec’s best bet on BETDAQ

Our betting and gaming partner, BETDAQ, is giving Dec a £25 bet each home game. All winnings will go to the Prince’s Trust at the end of the season

 

Tip of the week: Arsenal v Leeds, draw HT/Arsenal FT @ 5.5 on BETDAQ

 

Dec’s last bet: Santa to win the Christmas Present Dash @ 2.00 on BETDAQ returned £200 |Dec’s winnings: £252.50