Plenty of football fans long to revel in Manchester United's misfortune and the latest recruits to the ABU (Anyone But United) crowd are Britain's bookmakers. With the Carling Cup won and United's title odds cut to as short as 1–33 following their 2–1 win over Newcastle on Wednesday night, the layers will be praying they fail to progress in the FA Cup this weekend.
It is a United quadruple the firms fear more than a domestic treble but if the champions, who are 7–4 (general) to win the Cup, are knocked out by Fulham tomorrow it will prevent further sleepless nights for the bookies.
The layers' mood is grim judging by their press releases following United's win at Wembley last Sunday. "Watching them lift the Carling Cup felt like the first nail in the bookmakers' coffin," said Ladbrokes spokesman, Robin Hutchison, while William Hill's Graham Sharpe reckons a clean sweep for United will cost the industry £25m.
Fulham, who were subject to a £500 bet at 80–1 with Extrabet to win the Cup, are 11–4 (Boylesports) to knock United out and 7–2 (general) to do so this weekend. Before their 1–0 home defeat byHull City you could have made a case for Roy Hodgson's team, who are now a best-priced 25–1 (Victor Chandler) to win the Cup, making the semi-finals for the first time since 1975. Instead the 10–11 (general) on offer about United winning on Saturday will attract plenty of interest. Rarely do you see the league leaders at that sort of price to win a match at Craven Cottage. In United's last three visits they were available at 8–13, 4–9 and 2–5. On each occasion they justified those short odds, winning 3–2, 2–1 and 3–0 respectively.
Fulham are in their best form for years this season and some punters might be cautious about backing United as Sir Alex Ferguson will undoubtedly rotate his squad. But if United's recent 3–0 win over Fulham is anything to go by, the gulf in class between the two last month should be reinforced.
The quarter-final draw has kept the remaining members of the Premier League's big four left in the competition apart, although Arsenal, available at 4–1 (general) in the outright market, still have a fifth-round tie against Burnley to overcome. Should the Gunners progress they will play Hull at the Emirates at the last-eight stage. It gives Arsenal a terrific opportunity to make the semi-finals and with the chance of the currently injured quintet of Cesc Fábregas, Tomas Rosicky, Emmanuel Adebayor, Eduardo and Theo Walcott all available from the start of April, Arsène Wenger's team cannot be overlooked as potential Cup winners.
Those looking to side with Arsenal are advised to either back them at 11–8 with Extrabet to make the final or buy them at 59 on Sporting Index's win index, which awards points as follows: 100 (winners), 70 (runners-up), 50 (losing semi-finalists), 33 (losing quarter-finalists) and 20 (last 16 exit). If they defeat Burnley and Hull – which they are odds-on to do so – spread bettors will have an opportunity to close out their position for a profit.
Chelsea are second favourites to win the Cup at 16-5 (Boylesports) and they should have little problem defeating Coventry tomorrow lunchtime. Guus Hiddink's side are 4-7 (general) to beat the Sky Blues at the Ricoh Arena and 5-2 (general) to win by a single goal – the winning margin of all four of his games in charge of the Blues.
But the best bet in that matchmight be to back Nicolas Anelka to score at any time at 13–8 (Extrabet). The Frenchman is the joint top scorer in the Cup – all scored away from home against lower-league opposition – and is 5–2 (Sky Bet) to be the tournament's Golden Boot winner.
The other last-eight tie sees Everton (13–2 with Extrabet to win the trophy) face Middlesbrough (22–1, general). Should either end up winning it in May the bookies will be relieved. Chelsea and Arsenal, as well as United, have been popular with punters and Paddy Power are offering just 1-5 a big-four club lift the trophy.
