Wigan v Millwall
Saturday 13th April, 5.15pm kick-off
Wigan started out in the competition determined to blood some of their younger players but have made steady progress through to the semi-finals for the first time in the club’s history. A comprehensive 3-0 win over Everton ignited the belief that they can go all the way to the final this year and only Championship side Millwall now stand in their way.
Wigan’s annual struggle with relegation is the stuff of legend and they appear to have turned the corner on another dismal season with some improved performances. Millwall have also left behind some moderate league form to book their place in the last four with Aston Villa among their victims. A home defeat by Sheffield Wednesday in midweek has left them with a little work to do in order to cement their place in the Championship for next season.
The two sides have met once before at Wembley in the 1999 Football League Trophy with Wigan securing a 1-0 victory and a similar result on Saturday would do nicely for Roberto Martinez’s side. They were not at their best when scrambling a draw at 10-man QPR last weekend but they are unbeaten in their last four matches. I think they are a good bet to win in ninety minutes at 20-23 with BetVictor and the same firm offers 7-1 about a 1-0 Wigan victory.
Wigan to win 20-23 BetVictor
Wigan to win 1-0 7-1 BetVictor
Chelsea v Manchester City
Sunday 14th April 4.00pm kick-off
Chelsea have virtually made this competition their own in recent seasons and came back bravely from 2-0 down to eventually overcome Manchester United in the quarter-finals. A superb goal by Demba Ba proved decisive in the replay and he is likely to lead the attack again here. Fernando Torres scored in the away defeat in Moscow on Thursday but will almost certainly have to be content with starting on the bench.
Chelsea fans have endured a roller-coaster ride with the Blues this season so will not have been surprised to see them lose 3-2 to Rubin Kazan. They started the game without the star trio of Oscar, Mata and Hazard and all three will probably be in action on Sunday. City will go into the game in good spirits after toppling Champions-elect Manchester United on Monday. With the title race long since given up by Mancini, there will be no shortage of motivation as they go in search of a piece of silverware this season.
Previous encounters between these two sides have been closely fought with City just having the edge in recent times. Chelsea won’t want to give up their trophy without a fight and this could develop into a very cagey affair. This looks a particularly tough one to call and the 9-4 about a draw might be the safest option. BetVictor offer a top price of 13-2 about a 1-1 outcome to this one. Juan Mata has been easily Chelsea’s best player this season and he looks overpriced at 9-1 with William Hill to open the scoring.
Draw 9-4 BetVictor
1-1 scoreline 13-2 BetVictor
Juan Mata to open the scoring 9-1 William Hill
