Drought Quencher
Arsenal play some of the finest football on the planet and who doesn't respect Arsene Wenger's approach of throwing youngsters into the melee? The only problem is that Arsenal haven't won anything in five years! That's a long wait for a fine football club. They will be presented with one of their best chances of stopping that rot this month, as they take on struggling Birmingham at Wembley at the Carling Cup Final.
Birmingham have the potential to create a major upset in the showpiece, but you would still have to back the silverware staved Gunners to be too strong. It seems most likely that Arsenal will try and wrap this tie up nice and quickly, so they can concentrate on their EPL and Champions League title bids.
On their way to the final, Birmingham only managed two victories over Premier League teams, beating West Ham in the second leg of the semi final and edging out rivals Aston Villa in the quarters.
At $1.40 to win the cup in 90 minutes, Arsenal are short-priced favourites, but deservingly so considering the circumstances.
Not Falling Short
The most diminutive and finest football team in the world seem to have stepped onto another level this season (yep, we didn't think it possible either!). Barcelona fell short in another manner last season when The Special One's Inter dethroned them of their Champions League title - realistically it was only ever going to be a Mourinho side that would stop Barca. However, Mourinho, now at Barca's rivals Real Madrid, admits that his sides usually blossom in his second season in charge. With Barca having already dispatched of Real 5-0 in La Liga, they won't be expecting them to stop them in the Champions League either.
Manchester United are not the force they were with Ronaldo, while holders Inter have crumbled in Mourinho's absence. As such, this established Barcelona side should have no problems claiming their fourth European Cup. While this bet may only be $3, it is hard to see anyone beating the Catalans.
Sticky customers
The Toffemen of Everton have quite a knack of upsetting the big boys of English football. This season, they have only lost twice in ten meetings against Manchester United, Manchester City, Tottenham, Liverpool and Arsenal, with both losses coming against the Gunners.
Everton face Chelsea in an FA Cup replay next and the Londoners have distractions in the Champions League and the hunt for the Premier League. Everton also have a full week before the Chelsea clash to prepare, while Chelsea have three games packed into eight days in mid February.
If Cahill's Everton can navigate past the current EPL champions, then at $23 they are great value to go all the way in an FA Cup competition that they reached the final of as recently as 2009 (where Chelsea beat them, so revenge is on the cards too!). Grab the generous $23 while you can!
