Chelsea leap to Cup favouritism

Chelsea, the holders, are 5-2 favourites with Paddy Power to retain the FA Cup after the fifth-round draw was made on Monday lunchtime.

Avram Grant’s men jumped to the head of bookmakers’ lists after being drawn at home to Coca-Cola League One side Huddersfield, while former market leaders Manchester United were on the slide after being drawn at home to Arsenal.

Manchester United are now 3-1 joint-second favourites with Liverpool (home draw with Barnsley), whilst the Gunners have been pushed out from 100-30 to 5-1.

Darren Haines, spokesman for Paddy Power, said: “If you fancy either United or Arsenal to go on and lift the cup, now could be the time to back them as they’re unlikely to get any bigger.”

Paddy Power have also opened betting on the big match with Manchester United enjoying home favouritism to reach the sixth round at 5-6. Arsenal, who will have a distracting game at the San Siro just a few days later, are 11-4 to win at Old Trafford, with the draw at 9-4.

totesport, meanwhile, offer 8-5 that the winner of the United/Arsenal game will go on to lift the trophy in May.

FA Cup: Paddy Power bet: 5-2 Chelsea, 3-1 Man Utd, Liverpool, 5-1 Arsenal, 10-1 Portsmouth, 16-1 Middlesbrough, 25-1 West Brom, 33-1 Southampton, 50-1 Sheff Utd, 66-1 Wolves, Cardiff,  Coventry, 125-1 Preston, 200-1 Bristol Rovers, 250-1 Barnsley, 750-1 Huddersfield.