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CHARLTON v MIDDLESBROUGH ODDS PREVIEW 23-3-06
Up For The Cup
What's everybody complaining about having the quarter-finals spread over four nights for? I think it's great having a different match every night of the week and its built the tension nicely for tomorrrow's semi-final draw, which should include Middlesbrough for only the third time in our entire history.
I don't know whether our dismal FA Cup record has been taken into account by the bookies but certainly I don't agree with the odds on offer as Boro are priced at 21/10 as opposed to Charlton's 11/10 with a straight draw available at 11/5. I would have made Boro the favourites but as we were beaten at The Valley only two weeks ago, I imagine that was taken into consideration, along with Charlton's home advantage.
But we needn't worry about this as if you have the same level of confidence as me that Boro will stride past Charlton and into the last four of the world's greatest club knockout competition, then you'll get better value for money.
Let's take a look at the VC Bet scorecast which is generous to say the least and includes some irresistible odds. Take Stewart Downing who without a doubt is due a goal. Boro to win 2-1 and Downing to score first is actually 100/1. Boro to win 3-1 with Downing to score first is even more tasty at 200/1.
With odds like that, we can afford to make multiple selections from the scorecast and as well as picking Downing, I'm also having a punt on Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink. Jimmy was obviously rested on Saturday in preparation for this one and with the form he has enjoyed of late, I think that Middlesbrough 2-0 with Jimmy to get the first at 52/1 is probably the bargain of the day.
I personally don't see Mark Viduka or Yakubu starting tonight as I think Steve McClaren will play Jimmy up fron on his own and use the extra man to shore up a Chris Riggott-less defence. The bookies have overlooked that possibility and that makes Jimmy's odds even more attractive. Especially 3-1 at 100/1.
The other selection that I wanted to make from the scorecast was James Morrison, however he has not been included for some strange reason so we will jump to the anytime goal scorer instead where we find James at 9/2 to score at any time in the match. Scanning further down the coupon, I spot both George Boateng and Emanuel Pogatetz at 9/1 along with Ray Parlour who simply has to score for Boro at some point before he inevitably joins West Ham. So why not tonight? 9/1 are good odds for a player who is long overdue.
So I'll be making the following selections for tonight's match and I'm confident that one of these will come in and deliver a healthy profit on the match.
Boro to win 2-1 and Downing to score first @ 100/1
Middlesbrough 2-0 with Jimmy to get the first @ 52/1
Ray Parlour to score at any time @ 9/1
Emanuel Pogatetz to score at any time @ 9/1
Whatever you do, good luck and I'll see you all in the semi-final. Against Chelsea hopefully as it'll be very nice to do a double over them this season.
Betting odds in this article are correct at the time of going to press but can change, so please check before placing any bets.
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