There’s been much debate since the inception of the Premier League and the recent domination of English clubs in the Champions League that the FA Cup has lost its ‘magic’. Looking at the fixture list at the FA Cup 5th round stage this weekend you can see why. Okay, the draw didn’t do the competition any favours but even the ‘all Premiership’ affairs will see teams have other things on their mind, whether it be title or champions league aspirations or simply avoiding the drop. That saying, there’s plenty of competitive matches from a betting perspective and we’ve put together some pointers on this weekend’s live games, all of which you can bet in-play with totesport.

There’s no real surprise that the TV cameras have rocked up at Swansea for their home tie with Fulham on Saturday lunchtime. The Swans are having a splendid season in the Championship, currently sitting seventh, just two points out of the play-offs but with a game in hand.

Robert Martinez has got his team playing some attractive stuff and although constantly criticised for having more style than substance they’re currently unbeaten in their last fifteen matches, including their away day win at Portsmouth in the last round.

This unbeaten run began with a staggering eight consecutive draws and with only one home defeat in the league this season they definitely offer a threat to a Fulham side without an away win in the Premiership. Their form in the cup away from Craven Cottage fairs slightly better having knocked out Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough in the 3rd round and came through 4-2 away at Kettering in round three.

There’s no recent form between the two teams to take into account but I’ve talked myself into siding with the Championship team at 7/5, with the draw next best at 23/10. Fulham backers can get 15/8 with totesport. Kick off is 12.45pm live on ITV1.

Saturday’s evening kick off will give Guus Hiddink his first taste of English football as he takes his new Chelsea side around London on the M25 to play Watford at Vicarage Road. Unlike the compelling form line that made Swansea an appealing bet versus Premiership opposition the same can’t be said of Watford, languishing third bottom in the Championship and with league survival definitely in the forefront of their minds.

That saying, their home for isn’t that bad, only five defeats and in manager Brendan Rogers, they have some insider knowledge of their Premier league opponents, having currently been the Blues youth team coach under Jose Mourinho and Avram Grant.

These factors aside, there’ll be plenty of the Chelsea players with a point to prove to the new manager and they should be strong enough here. Chelsea are 4/11 with Watford an 8/1 chance and the draw 7/2, all with totesport. You can bet live in-running with totesport on this televised match, kick-off is 17.30 and it’s live on Setanta Sports.

Sunday’s 14.30 offering is the only all Premiership tie this weekend, with Everton hosting Aston Villa at Goodison Park. After David Moyes eventually won their war of attrition against Merseyside rivals Liverpool in round four, they now face another tough tie in the shape of a Villa side that have won ten of their thirteen away matches this season, including their last seven on the trot.

The two sides met at Goodison right back near the beginning of this astonishing run and Villa prevailed 3-2 that day due to a last gasp Ashley Young winner.

Neither of these teams have the biggest squad in the division and even if they wanted to rest players they probably couldn’t make wholesale changes. With this in mind it’ll be another close game, with totesport making the home team 7/5 slight favourites against Villa’s 15/8. The draw is 23/10 and you can bet live in running throughout. KO is 14.30 and live on Setanta Sports.

In a repeat of the Carling Cup semi-final Derby would snap your hands off to take the 1-0 win at Pride Park again on Sunday afternoon.

Things have brightened up for Derby and their new manager Nigel Clough. After a tough start to his managerial career with the club they’ve now won three on the bounce including an impressive away win against arch-rivals Forest in the last round. This was made even more impressive considering they found themselves two goals down within twenty minutes but a spirited comeback saw them take the tie 3-2. Equally impressive was their 3-0 away win down in Plymouth last weekend, a victory that has propelled them up to the dizzying heights of sixteenth in the Championship!

However good the Derby revival, you simply cannot back against United in current form. Eight wins on the bounce in the Premier League and thirteen without conceding means the team for the east-midlands have it all do to here.

United are a short priced favourite for this one at 2/5 with totesport and you can back Derby and tor the draw at 15/2 or 10/3 respectively with totesport. KO is at 16.30 on Sunday and it’s live on ITV1.

Finally, a quick mention of the one remaining 4th round tie to be played on Monday night. Arsenal host Cardiff in the fourth round replay after snow prevented the original tie from being played a ten days ago. Arsenal are a 2/5 shot here unsurprisingly but with injury to Emmanuel Adebayor the Gunners have been lacking firepower, so Cardiff, unbeaten since November might be worth a sneaky bet at 15/2. The draw is 10/3 and remember if that’s the outcome there will be extra time and penalties. KO is a 19.45 on Monday night and is live on Setanta Sports.

Totesport will be betting live in-running on all of the weekend’s live matches.

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