Plenty of upsets have shaken up the FA Cup. Top Premier League teams Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham have already been knocked out of the tournament against supposedly low-tier opposition. Arsenal have been solid of late in the Premier League, but sustaining an extended cup run may be difficult with some key injuries in their lineup.
Will the defending champion Gunners be the next premier team to fall in the FA Cup? Read on as we give you our take on this intriguing fixture.
There’s plenty more FA Cup action (and potential upsets) coming your way. Check out our complete previews for Preston vs. Manchester United.
[sc:Soccer ]Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough Preview
Where: Emirates Stadium, England
When: Sunday, February 15, 11:00 AM ET
Line: Middlesbrough +580 at Arsenal -275, tie +335; total 3.0 – view all FA Cup lines
What’s at Stake
[sc:Soccer240banner ]With Chelsea, Manchester City and Tottenham all knocked out in the last round, Arsenal became the favorites to repeat as FA Cup champions this season. Pressure will be high on the Gunners at the Emirates, especially against giant-killers Middlesbrough.
Betting on Arsenal
Arsenal weathered a furious Brighton surge to escape with a 3-2 win in the fourth round of the FA Cup. Theo Walcott and Mesut Özil did some early damage with a pair of goals in the first thirty minutes.
Inserted in the starting XI, Tomas Rosicky starred in the game from the midfield. He assisted in Özil’s goal before essentially icing the game with a 58th minute goal of his own. If manager Arsene Wenger continues to rest his star midfielder in Alexis Sanchez, then expect Rosicky to act as the facilitator in the Arsenal frontline.
Speaking of the frontline, Arsenal’s offense has looked dominant of late especially with star striker Olivier Giroud back in the lineup. Giroud has two goals and three assists over his last five matches. Arsenal has scored a total of 11 goals over that span.
Nevertheless, expect Wenger to err on the side of caution even when Arsenal’s offense has played at its best. He’d have taken note of Middlesbrough’s upset of Man City at the Etihad in the third round of the FA Cup.
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Betting on Middlesbrough
There’s nothing more dangerous than a live and confident underdog. Middlesbrough have wreaked havoc in the English League Championship and the FA Cup to go undefeated in their last 10 matches. Included in their streak is the gigantic upset over defending Premier League champions, Manchester City.
Patrick Bamford and Kike slid two goals past City keeper Willy Caballero in the second half of their match. The two also happen to be two of Middlesbrough’s top three goal-scorers. Bamford has nine goals across all competitions, while Kike has seven with three assists.
Grant Leadbitter, Middlesbrough’s leading playmaker (11 goals and seven asssits), should add to a devastating attacking front. Having several options for chances on goal should help spread out Arsenal’s defense, which will be missing defender Mathieu Debuchy.
Middlesbrough won’t be afraid to open up on their attack considering their excellent defense of late. They have seven clean sheets in their 10-match unbeaten run.
Writer’s Prediction
Arsenal advance past Middlesbrough, 2-0. Take the total to go under 3.0 for some value on your bet.
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