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Another fun-packed midweek of European football is upon us, and we are here to preview some mouth-watering ties across the Italian Serie A, and English FA Cup while giving out our expert football betting tips.



**Luton vs Manchester City**

Luton boss Rob Edwards must be cursing his luck for getting Liverpool and Manchester City in consecutive games but will be hoping for a better outing after the Hatters trip to Anfield ended in a 4-1 reverse. 

Luton defeated Everton to make only their third fifth-round appearance in the FA Cup since the 1993/94 season, and they will be eager to make this a contest despite the obvious gulf in quality between the two sides.

The hosts have managed just one point in 5 league matches against the current top-four (D1, L4), a stat that should fill Pep Guardiola’s men with even more confidence in their quest to retain the FA Cup.

City are currently enjoying a nine-game unbeaten streak against Luton (W5, D4) and Failure to continue this trend would be a significant surprise, especially considering they have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in six of their last seven campaigns.

The defending champions are also riding an impressive eight-game winning run in this competition, including a remarkable 7 clean sheets.

**Verdict:** Guardiola is expected to rotate his squad to cope with the hectic schedule but City should still have enough to put away a Luton side fighting to stay in the Premier League. In the likely absence of Erling Haaland, Julian Alvarez, who has 7 in his last 12 games for City will be relied on to provide the firepower.

Just one of Luton’s last 14 competitive matches produced a goalless first half, making the ‘first half goal’ option worth a punt.

Our free football prediction and bet of the day is Man City to win and Alvarez to find the net.

● Bet on Manchester City to win 

● Bet on first half over 0.5 goals 

● Bet on Julian Alvarez to score anytime 

**Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United**

Nuno Espírito Santo's appointment as Nottingham Forest boss is yet to have the desired impact, as the Tricky Trees find themselves just four points clear of the Premier League relegation zone following last weekend’s 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa. 
With just 3 wins in his 10 league games as manager, Espirito Santo will hope the FA Cup can provide a welcome distraction for his struggling side. Forest enter the fifth round for just the second time in a decade, but with 12-time winners Manchester United standing in their way, progression looks a tall order.

The hosts have been unconvincing in the FA Cup so far, needing a replay and extra time to defeat Blackpool in the third round, before a penalty shoot-out win over Bristol City to set up this tie. 

Forest have some recent bragging rights over the Red Devils, earning a 2-1 win in their final Premier League game of 2023. That victory ended a 12-match winless H2H run (D1, L11), and they will be hoping they can put their league form behind them to replicate that win. 

Erik ten Hag’s men saw a 7-game unbeaten run (W6, D1) come to an end in a 2-1 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday. Despite that concerning performance and a growing injury list, the visitors are rarely eliminated at this stage of the FA Cup, progressing from the 5th Round in 13 consecutive seasons.

Ten Hag’s job looks to be safe for now but a trophyless season coupled with a failure to land UEFA Champions League football could set the alarm bells ringing, with Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS ready to make changes.

On the positive side, the Red Devils are actually on a run of 5 straight victories on the road and should have enough to progress despite the potential absence of top scorer Rasmus Hojlund (13 goals)

**Verdict:** United have progressed from this stage every year since 2005/2006 and Forest have struggled for any real consistency this season. While we are keenly aware that anything can happen, our bet of the day is Ten Hag’s men to bounce back with a win.

In Hojlund’s absence, we are backing Marcus Rashford (5G, 4A) to carry the goal-scoring burden.

Take advantage of our football prediction and back Rashford to score in a United win

● Bet on Manchester United to win 

● Bet on Marcus Rashford to score anytime 

**Liverpool vs Southampton**

Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are coming off a memorable night at Wembley after a team devoid of their usual stars came through to beat Chelsea 1-0 in extra time and win the Carabao Cup. Captain Virgil van Dijk scored with a thumping header in extra time but all the praise was reserved for ‘Klopp’s kids’ after four academy graduates - all aged 21 or underplayed their part in a superb win.

The young core will have to come through for the Reds again in their hunt for another domestic trophy as they welcome Southampton to Anfield, where the Reds have won each of the last six games against the Saints.

Southampton will be eager to take advantage of any fatigue Liverpool may have from Sunday’s win against Chelsea, but they will be aware of their recent record against the Reds in this competition which stands at 4 consecutive defeats. 

Their recent form is also a cause for concern, having lost three of their last four matches to fall out of the Championship automatic promotion places. However, manager Russell Martin might find some relief in the fact that this tie is away from home. His side has been strong on the road, losing just once in their previous 14 away trips (W7, D6).

**Verdict:** Liverpool are unbeaten at Anfield across all competitions in over a year, and we expect that run to continue, especially against Championship opposition.

Klopp’s men have scored 16 goals in their last 4 games at Anfield and our bet of the day is another goal-fest with Luis Diaz, who has scored in the last 3 home games to get on the scoresheet again.

Enjoy BetKing’s best football prediction for tomorrow by backing Liverpool to win in a high-scoring affair.

● Bet on Liverpool to win and over 3.5 goals 

● Bet on Luis Diaz to score anytime

**Sassuolo vs Napoli**

After losing 5 of their last 6 games, and winning just once since the start of December (D2, L10), Sassuolo made the difficult decision to sack manager Alessio Dionisi. 

The hosts are now fighting for their lives, sitting one place above the relegation zone on goal difference and a record of 1 win in the last 9 home games (D3, L5), must improve if they want to spend a 12th successive season in Italy’s top tier.

Napoli have been dominant against Sassuolo lately, securing four consecutive wins, and scoring 19 goals in their last six meetings.

A victory here would be particularly welcome for the Partenopei, who are without a victory on the road since late November (D2, L5) and have drawn their last three games 1-1 in all competitions.

Francesco Calzona became Napoli’s fourth manager in the last 8 months when he was appointed last week, and after Cagliari’s frustrating 96th-minute equalizer cost him all three points in his first league game, the 55-year-old will be keen to get off the mark. 

**Verdict:** Considering Napoli's recent struggles, betting on them to win might not be advisable. However, the goals market could offer good value, given that four of their last five games have featured both teams on the scoresheet.

Another stalemate could be on the cards for the visitors, who have shared the points in their last 3 games in all competitions. The ‘goalscorer’ market is also worth a punt as Victor Osimhen looks to be back in form with 2 goals in his last 2 games.

Our betting tips for today are for both teams to score and Napoli’s Osimhen to score anytime.

● Bet on both teams to score 

● Bet on Victor Osimhen to score anytime 

**Inter Milan vs Atalanta**

Inter were in rampant mood at the weekend, thrashing Lecce 4-0 to make it 10 wins in a row across all competitions. That victory extended their lead at the top of Serie A to 9 points with a game-in-hand and made it the first time in over 50 years that the Nerazzurri have won three successive top-flight games while scoring 4+ goals each time.

A victory for Simeone Inzaghi’s men will not only extend their lead at the summit but make it a fourth consecutive league win over Atalanta for the first time since 2001. 

On the back of seven straight Serie A wins, including six clean sheets, the league leaders will be confident of extending that run at the San Siro.
Atalanta are no pushovers though, and they will be quietly confident of avoiding defeat after stretching their unbeaten streak since Christmas (W8, D2) with a 1-1 draw at this venue against AC Milan on Sunday.

Four of those wins have come while keeping a clean sheet, and their 24 goals conceded is the 4th lowest in the division, emphasizing their defensive strength. 

**Verdict:** Inter are in rampant mood, they are first for points (66), goals scored (65) and goals conceded (12). Atalanta have not won at the San Siro in over a decade, and are unlikely to do so here.

One win in their last six road games (D3, L2) doesn’t make for good reading, but win or lose, Inter must be ready for a fight against Atalanta. 
Our bet of the day is a narrow win for the Nerazzuri, with Lautaro Martinez, who scored a brace at the weekend to take his tally to 22 league goals, finding the net again.

The hosts are averaging 2.5 goals per game this season but both teams are well-drilled at the back, so the ‘under goals’ option is a smart pick.

Take advantage of our football prediction and betting tips by backing Inter to win and Martinez to find the net.

● Bet on Inter to win and under 4.5 

● Bet on Lautaro Martinez to score anytime 

**Blackburn vs Newcastle**

The new Blackburn boss, John Eustace, is yet to secure his first official win in charge (D3, L1) after his team managed only a 1-1 draw against Norwich at Ewood Park on Saturday. 

Another missed opportunity for a victory leaves Rovers just four points clear of the Championship drop zone, and they will be happy to have some respite from the intense relegation battle with the visit of Premier League big boys Newcastle. 

Rovers knocked out Premier League opposition last season at this stage (2-1 win over Leicester City), a feat they’ll hope to replicate against Eddie Howe’s Newcastle. 

Historically, Blackburn have struggled against the Magpies (W2, L7), although the magic of the FA Cup means you can never rule out an underdog story

Newcastle's five-match unbeaten run in all competitions (W3, D2) came to an abrupt halt against Arsenal on Saturday night, as they were soundly beaten 4-1. Undeterred, they hit the road again for the third time in the FA Cup this season, following successful 'to nil' away wins in rounds three and four.

**Verdict:** You’d be brave to bet against Newcastle here. The Magpies have advanced from their last 8 fifth-round ties and with the Toon being out of the other cup competitions, expect Howe to field a strong side for this one

Newcastle have scored at least 2 goals in 8 of their last 9 games, and our bet prediction is for that trend to continue in a win.

● Bet on Newcastle to win and over 2.5 

● Bet on Newcastle to score over 1.5 goals 

● Bet on Blackburn to score under 1.5 goals 

As always, we offer you the chance to win big by betting on your favourite football teams this week. 

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