ENGLISH FA CUP BETTING PICK - PORTSMOUTH V CARDIFF CITY

English FA CUP

2008-05-17 - Portsmouth vs Cardiff City

A Sports Betting Pick by Cruiser

Analysis:

The FA Cup Final will be contested between two very unlikely finalist in the form of Cardiff and Portsmouth in a competition that has thrown up several shocks along the way to the Final. Will there be another surprise fairy tale ending for Cardiff City to win the FA Cup and claim a place in Europe by winning the world's oldest and most illustrious knock-out tournament?

But this year we will see a new Champion emerging after the dominance of Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool over the past 13 years. Championship side Cardiff City will no doubt starts this match as the underdogs here no doubt when they come up against Premiership side and favourites Portsmouth at Wembley Stadium.

Dave Jones is hoping to get the FA Cup trophy by beating their more illustrious opponents after beating sides such as Chasetown, Hereford, Wolves, Middlesbrough and semi-final giant killers in Barnsley enroute to the final. The last time that Cardiff City won the FA Cup was way back in 1927 which forced the FA to rename the English Cup.

Dave Jones will depend on the likes of Paul Parry who returned from a hamstring injury against Barnsley two weeks ago to partner with Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink upfront. For winger Joe Ledley this could be his last match before he moves away from the club in the summer.

For Premiership side Portsmouth managed by Harry Redknapp, this will be his first FA Cup Final in over 40 years as a player and a manager. He guided his side to beat teams such as Ipswich, Plymouth and Preston. But most importantly his greatest triumph was taking out Premiership Champions Manchester United in the quarterfinals by beating them 1-0 at Old Trafford. In the semi-finals they took out West Brom as well.

Portsmouth last won the FA Cup way back in 1939 so they will aim to prove that the Premiership side is better and can win the trophy against a Championship side here today.

Harry Redknapp will not have the services of Jermain Defoe as he is cup tied. But the good news is that goalkeeper David James (calf) and skipper Sol Campbell (hamstring) are fit to feature for the side. Nwankwo Kanu will start in attack with Nigerian compatriot John Utaka on the wing or on-loan Milan Baros playing alongside him in attack. David Nugent is also available after recovering from a groin injury while Papa Bouba Diop will hope to get selected after he was left out in the defeat to Fulham on the final day of the season.

I will go for Portsmouth to win this match by 1-0 or 2-0 and give the 3/4 ball here.

Cheers and good luck,
Cruiser

The Pick :

BEST BETTING TIP :

Take Portsmouth to win this match.