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Wembley just one win away

Author: John Harris
Date: 07/03/2010
Football betting

All eyes will be on the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend and with the remaining eight teams just one win away from a Wembley berth, there are likely to be some fireworks on show.

Chelsea prepare to face Stoke City for a berth in the semi-finals and they will be licking their lips after the Potters' fine fifth-round replay win against big-spending Manchester City set-up the showdown.

Stoke had Dave Kitson, Ryan Shawcross and Tuncay to thanks after they notched to seal their place in the quarters at the expense of Roberto Mancini's under-achieving side.

The Blues will now face the Britannia Stadium outfit at Stamford Bridge on Sunday and they are massive football betting favourites to get through to the next round.

Tony Pulis will thrive on the fact his team go into the clash as underdogs and knowing they have nothing to lose, his industrious outfit should pose a problem or two for the classy Londoners.

Carlo Ancelotti's men, who are the sportsbook favourites to retain their crown, smashed Cardiff City in the last round, winning 4-1 with sharp-shooter Didier Drogba amongst the goals once again.

The Blues grabbed the trophy last year after seeing off the challenge of David Moyes' Everton at Wembley.

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Although they fell behind to an early Louis Saha effort, they stormed back with Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard strikes sealing the win for former manager Guus Hiddink, who left the club immediately after the triumph to resume his job as Russia coach.

Last-standing Championship side Reading face a tough test to progress with Aston Villa making a trip to Madejski Stadium.

Brian McDermott's men grabbed a fine 3-2 extra-time replay win at league rivals West Bromwich Albion in the last round but a late melee marred the occasion as Jobi McAnuff saw red and he will miss the showdown

Villa also needed a replay to see off Neil Warnock's Crystal Palace at Villa Park.

A 2-2 stalemate at Selhurst Park was followed by a 3-1 win thanks to a late brace of penalties from towering front man John Carew.

Gabriel Agbonlahor had opened the scoring and as Martin O'Neill's men threatened to run riot, the Eagles soared with Darren Ambrose netting a spot-kick of his own before Carew had the last laugh.

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