Michael Owen: Manchester United, Everton, Crystal Palace and Watford all to score in FA Cup semi-finals

BetVictor brand ambassador Michael Owen previews this weekend’s two Wembley semi-finals

Manchester United's Juan Mata weaves past Everton players (Getty)

BetVictor brand ambassador Michael Owen previews this weekend’s two Wembley semi-finals as Manchester United, Everton, Crystal Palace and Watford arrive in the capital just the solitary game away from a Wembley final.

Manchester United v Everton

Blues’ manager Roberto Martinez will be left hurting after Wednesday’s 4-0 defeat in the Merseyside derby at Anfield, with the Spaniard stating he was ‘embarrassed’ by both the score and the performance. The Reds were deserving winners with goals from Origi and Sakho settling the contest, and the second half performance rubbed salt in Everton’s wounds. They need a response against Manchester United at Wembley but Louis Van Gaal’s side are the deserved 6/5 favourites with BetVictor to lift the FA Cup and I fancy both sides to net on Wembley’s hallowed turf at the weekend.

Michael’s recommendation: Both Teams to Score at 17/20 with BetVictor

Crystal Palace v Watford

Mile Jedinak and Ben Watson battle for the ball (Getty)

Palace appear to have turned the corner, claiming an excellent point at the Emirates last week, and arrive for a massive game in the club’s history and no doubt a proud moment for manager Alan Pardew. Pardew famously played in both the final and indeed replay against Manchester United back in 1990 and I expect his players to be primed for a bold show at the home of football on Sunday. Watford arrive having won just one of their last 8 PL games, losing five, and have kept only one clean sheet in their last seven games. I similarly expect goals and fancy BetVictor’s 3/1 for all four sides to net at Wembley this weekend.

Michael’s recommendation: All four FA Cup semi-finalists to score at Wembley this weekend at 3/1 with BetVictor

Manchester City v Stoke

Many attributed City’s 3-0 defeat of Chelsea last weekend at the Bridge to the hosts underperforming but I was personally rather taken with the Citizens success and expect them to follow-up when hosting Stoke at the Etihad. City’s Kevin de Bruyne would have been on the shortlist for Player of the Year were it not for missing three months of the season due to injury and he looks an excellent price at 6/5 to net against Mark Hughes’ men in Manchester.

Michael’s recommendation: Kevin de Bruyne to score anytime at 6/5 with BetVictor

Aston Villa v Southampton

Aston Villa fans react to suffering relegation from the Premier League (Getty)

It’s disappointing to witness what is happening at Villa Park with Aston Villa now officially confirmed as playing Championship football next term. There appears to be little light at the end of the tunnel this season and Southampton look worthy favourites to claim a further three points against the already-relegated Villans. The Saints have lost just 1 of their last 7 PL games against Villa and should continue their excellent record at the weekend; appealing at both 7/5 to beat the hosts to nil and at 29/20 in the double result market.

Michael’s recommendation: Southampton to win to nil at 7/5 with BetVictor

Bournemouth v Chelsea

Chelsea disappointed against Manchester City last weekend but as previously mentioned I think that City were very good at the Bridge and Bournemouth should expect an immediate reply from Guus Hiddink’s side. The Cherries have won just 2 of their previous 6 meetings with Chelsea in all competitions and enter the fixture bidding to avoid a third straight defeat on home soil. Eddie Howe’s side are often hard to break down at Dean Court and I think they can nick a share of the spoils against the Blues.

Michael’s recommendation: Draw at 12/5 with BetVictor

Liverpool v Newcastle

I’m looking forward to seeing the reception Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez gets on Merseyside with the man that famously led the Reds to Champions League success in Istanbul still loved at Anfield and likely to be given a warm homecoming. The Magpies are likely to leave empty handed however with the Reds hitting their stride under Jurgen Klopp and awesome in their 4-0 defeat of Everton in the Merseyside derby midweek. Newcastle are winless in their last 20 PL visits to Anfield, losing 17, and are unlikely to build on that at the weekend.

Michael’s recommendation: Liverpool to win to nil at 2/1 with BetVictor

Sunderland v Arsenal

Jermain Defoe celebrates with Fabio Borini after scoring Sunderland's second against Norwich (Getty)

Sunderland, much like their North-East rivals, are still heavily involved in the relegation battle at the foot of the table but gave themselves a massive chance of staying up with last weekend’s 3-0 defeat of Norwich at Carrow Road. Sam Allardyce’s side welcome Arsenal to the Stadium of Light at the weekend and, with the Black Cats fighting for their lives, look a fair price at even money to leave the fixture with either one or all three points.

Michael’s recommendation: Sunderland double chance at Even Money with BetVictor

Leicester v Swansea

Leicester remain the odds-on favourites to be crowned Champions and can enhance their PL Title claims even further with defeat of Swansea at the King Power. Jamie Vardy misses the game due to suspension but Leo Ulloa showed last week against West Ham that he can do a job in the final third and should prove a more than adequate replacement. The Swans are winless in their last 11 trips to the Foxes and should struggle to breach the defences of one of the league’s most organised defensive units.

Michael’s recommendation: Leicester Half Time/Full Time at 19/10 with BetVictor

Tottenham v West Brom

Harry Kane was brilliant in Tottenham's win over Stoke (Getty)

Spurs put in arguably one of the performances of the season on Monday, beating Stoke 4-0 at the Britannia, and unsurprisingly are odds-on to follow-up against the Baggies at the Lane. Mauricio Pochettino’s side have been sensational all season playing a quick-paced high-pressing game and that saw them to success once more in the Potteries. Harry Kane is the new 1/3 favourite to be the league’s leading scorer after Monday’s brace and looks excellent value at 8/11 to score in a Spurs win against West Brom.

Michael’s recommendation: Harry Kane to score in a Spurs wins at 8/11 with BetVictor

Michael’s weekend wager; Man City, Spurs, Southampton, Liverpool and Leicester all to win at 13/2 with BetVictor – bet here