FA Cup a London priority

For two big London clubs used to Premier League success, the FA Cup represents their last hope of silverware this season.

For years, Arsenal and Chelsea have been Manchester United’s main rivals for the title. However, more recently, they have fallen behind Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur in the pecking order.

Arsenal’s struggles for silverware have been well-documented. Their last success came in the FA Cup seven years ago and the natives are becoming restless.

Chelsea have hardly been starved of success, having achieved the double as recently as two years ago, but are going through a period of transition under Andres Villa-Boas and will be desperate to take something away from a disappointing season. People looking for the best FA Cup bets should remember this.

Spurs, on the other hand, are a side hungry for success under Harry Redknapp. The Lilywhites have gone from strength to strength under Redknapp and are well placed in the title race.

Whilst Spurs will be keen to lift the FA Cup for the first time since 1991, they still harbour hopes of lifting the Premier League title and need to remain focussed. The game away at Stevenage comes in the middle of a tough run of league fixtures. Those searching for FA Cup free bets need to bear this in mind.

With Tottenham’s thoughts occupied by the Premier League and Liverpool having one eye on the Carling Cup final, the door is open for Chelsea and Arsenal in this season’s FA Cup.

Chelsea host an in-form Birmingham City side, while the Gunners face a tough trip to Martin O’Neill’s Sunderland.

Despite Birmingham’s impressive Championship form, Chelsea will be confident of booking a place in the quarter-finals. Arsenal will be hurting after their dismal defeat in Europe and can take heart from their victory at the Stadium of Light last weekend.

It won’t be easy for either side, but desperation might just pull them through.