FA Cup quarter-final tips: Forest looking good ahead of Liverpool cup clash

Eight teams will be whittled down to four this weekend, as six Premier League sides and two from the Championship compete for a place in the semi-finals of the FA Cup. Here are our top tips for the action on Saturday and Sunday.

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

Saturday 19 March, 5.15pm, BBC One

Chelsea continue to a fine job of keeping off-field distractions at bay. A victory over Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday made it three wins on the bounce for Thomas Tuchel’s side since the news broke that Roman Abramovich had been sanctioned by the British government.

As part of the ongoing fallout from that move, there will be no away fans at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday. That is unlikely to matter too much. Chelsea have developed a siege mentality in reaction to the ongoing crisis, and their superior quality should ultimately make the difference. Middlesbrough have been inconsistent of late and they will struggle to find the net here.

Recommended bet: Chelsea to win to nil @ 2.5

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Sunday 20 March, 12.30pm, ITV1

This is a game that Everton could probably do without. Avoiding relegation from the Premier League is their overriding objective this term, with the FA Cup a secondary concern.

Crystal Palace put in a spirited showing to hold Manchester City to a 0-0 draw on Monday. Selhurst Park will be bouncing for the visit of Everton, who have already lost at this ground in the Premier League this season. Palace are in a good place right now and they should get the job done in front of their passionate home fans.

Recommended bet: Crystal Palace to win @ 2.16

Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira will be hoping to cap a decent season by guiding his side to a Wembley semi-final

Southampton vs Manchester City

Sunday 20 March, 3pm, BBC One

City’s failure to win at Selhurst Park last time out has thrown the Premier League title race wide open, but Pep Guardiola and his players will be fully focused on the FA Cup for now. Having failed to beat Southampton twice already this season, City will hope to make it third time lucky on Sunday.

Riyad Mahrez could be the match-winner. He is in superb form for City, having scored 13 times in his last 15 club appearances. The Algeria international continues to deliver and he is available at a generous price to make the net bulge.

Recommended bet: Riyad Mahrez to score anytime @ 2.08

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Sunday 20 March, 6pm, ITV1

The final last-eight tie of the weekend is a match steeped in history, as Nottingham Forest face Liverpool for the first time since 1999. That game at the City Ground ended 2-2 and there is reason to believe Forest can get on the scoresheet again this weekend.

Steve Cooper’s side have scored in 10 of their last 11 home games in all competitions, a run which includes victories over Arsenal and Leicester in this competition. Beating Liverpool will probably be a step too far, though.

Recommended bet: Liverpool and both teams to score @ 2.76

Recommended bets

Chelsea to nil @ 2.5

Crystal Palace @ 2.16

Mahrez anytime @ 2.08

Liverpool/BTTS @ 2.76