Anorak: City can win the cup and beat handicappers

Manchester City can beat Wigan and, more importantly to this column, beat the handicapper and win by two or more goals. Victory would give Roberto Mancini his second FA Cup in three years and enhance his chance of a fourth season at the Etihad, enabling him to pit his wits against incoming United manager David Moyes.

The teams met in late April, and, despite the Latics outpassing their more illustrious rivals, ultimately they came away with nothing, succumbing to a late Tevez stunner. In a strange way, City have benefited from knowing their title was gone, resting key players for today, and a shadow side still managed to see off West Brom in midweek, the same night Wigan took the lead twice against Swansea but still lost. I can’t see anything other than an emphatic City win, so Evens with Coral to do just that (giving Wigan a goal of a start) looks this week’s good thing.

A draw at Villa Park when Chelsea come calling pretty much suits both clubs. Scotbet don’t see it this way and go 13-5 on that outcome. Spurs have to go for it for a top-four slot, Stoke are safe, so goals over 2.5 at 5-4 looks fair.

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Marseilles have kept delaying the PSG title party by going on an amazing winning sequence. They can beat Toulouse at Stade Velodrome and keep the champagne on ice for another week. Back them at 8-11 with Coral.

This column managed a clean sweep of the ante-post Scottish leagues: we tipped Partick at 5-1, advised Alloa each-way at 10-1, and Peterhead at 5-2 without Rangers. I will stop short of congratulating myself at finding the SPL champs!

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