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Bookmakers expecting goals galore at Wembley

FOOTBALL fans will be forced to choose between the FA Cup semi-final and a heavyweight Premier League clash after TV companies refused to budge on kick-off times that will see two big matches start at nearly the same time on Saturday.

If it is goals you want then the odds are that you will be better off selecting the FA Cup semi-final between Arsenal and Reading at Wembley rather than Manchester United’s trip to Chelsea.

Hills rate the FA Cup semi-final 4-5 to produce more goals than the Stamford Bridge showdown  which can be backed at 13-8, while the Wembley tie is also 8-13 to have the quicker goal.

It’s 2-5 that more shots are produced in the FA Cup semi-final (bets settled by the BBC website), although there is also a market on which of the four teams on show is quickest to a yellow card and injury-hit United are rated 13-8 favourites with Arsenal the outsiders at 9-2.

If the betting is right then it will be Liverpool taking on Arsenal in the FA Cup final and Brendan Rodgers will be boosted by the return of Martin Skrtel and Steven Gerrard from suspension against Aston Villa at Wembley on Sunday.

Striker Mario Balotelli is also back in training, but there is a doubt over Daniel Sturridge and wing-back Jordon Ibe is cup-tied.

Villa are sweating on the fitness of Gabriel Agbonlahor, while Ciaran Clark has been ruled out because of injury and Carlos Sanchez is suspended.

However, Ashley Westwood and Scott Sinclair are available and Tim Sherwood has confirmed veteran Shay Given will start in goal.

Sunday’s semi-final is 13-8 with bet365 to have more goals than today’s tie, which is 10-11 to finish in a higher-scoring duel.

FA Cup runners-up no longer qualify for Europe if the eventual winners are already in a Uefa competition. If the winners have already made Europe then the team who finishes seventh in the Premier League will take the spot.

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