SUNSPORT’S Weekend Wager returns once more to bring you the best analysis and tips ahead of another huge weekend of sport.
It may be the penultimate gameweek for the Premier League but taking centre stage is the FA Cup final.
GettyKevin De Bruyne could play a big role in what might be his last FA Cup final[/caption]
EPAGabriel Martinelli has found form in recent weeks[/caption]
Manchester City are aiming to go one better than last year when they finished as runners-up after losing to rivals Manchester United at Wembley.
Standing in their way is Crystal Palace, who are featuring in their first cup final since 2016.
Elsewhere there is a battle for second place in the Premier League as Arsenal host Newcastle.
There is also horse racing and cricket action to sink your teeth into, with our experts sharing their insight into the meet at Newbury and the IPL.
Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – Saturday, 4:30pm
Kweku: Either team in extra-time 5/1
“My bet is either team to win in extra time, 5-1. I think that’s quite good, right?
“If you look at these teams, I can say they’re evenly matched and the stats back it up. City are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, winning seven and drawing three of those, including clean sheets in their last three games.
“And Palace are unbeaten in their last five games in all competitions, winning two, drawing three.
“City will go into this as favourites, but I like the value in extra time. And I think that at 5-1, it’s not bad.”
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Will: Under 2.5 goals 11/10
“I’ve gone for under 2.5 goals, 11-10. Now I know that is quite an unfashionable, boring sort of bet because it’s like you’re almost betting on the game being a little bit dry and a little bit, you know, not as exciting because there are not many goals.
“The stats just say that City have not conceded a goal in their last 342 minutes of football.
“That’s five hours and 42 minutes. And Crystal Palace have recorded 11 clean sheets in all competitions in 2025, which is the most of any Premier League side since the turn of the year.”
Sam: Kevin De Bruyne to score or assist – Evens
“This is likely going to be his last ever FA Cup final, certainly with Manchester City anyway. He’s been involved in four goals in his previous three FA Cup finals as well.
“He scored one, he’s assisted three. He is an absolute big game player. And yes, while he is coming to the end of his peak, this could be a big swansong for him. And I just see him having such an impact still.”
Arsenal vs Newcastle – Sunday, 4:30pm
Kweku: Newcastle to win 12/5
“I’ve gone for a Newcastle win in this one, pretty straightforward, 12-5. I love those odds for that. And the stats back it up as well.
“Newcastle have already faced Arsenal three times this season and won all three of those games, beating them 1-0 in the Premier League and 2-0 in both legs of their League Cup semi-final.
“No team has ever beaten Arsenal four times in a season. I think Newcastle have got a great chance of doing it. And they’ve won five out of their four games and they’ve lost eight games against Arsenal in all competitions.
“The other three of those games, they drew one, lost two. And that’s as many wins they had in their previous 52 against Arsenal. Also on the Arsenal side of things, I think the wheels have slightly fallen off, the Emirates is not as much of a fortress as it used to be.
“They’re actually winless in the last four games at home in all competitions, drawing two and losing two of those.
“So I think Newcastle are going into this game full of confidence. They’re in great form, arguably the most in form side in the country. And I think they’ll go to the Emirates and get the job done.”
Will: Gabriel Martinelli 2+ shots on target 13/5
“I am of the belief that Gabriel Martinelli is nowhere near the level that Arsenal want to be.
“I personally think the amount of chances that Martinelli misses that are absolute dead sitters, is just too many.
“Martinelli has scored two goals in his last four Premier League games, he’s had six shots on target in his last five Premier League games.
“I don’t mind this bet because he always gets in good positions and fires them straight at the goalkeeper, the sitters, and never seems to put the ball in. But obviously scored at Liverpool last weekend.
“Arsenal did a little bit of a switch up during the game, played him up front and Matt has convinced me that he’s likely to play as the central striker this weekend.
“Merino suspended. Trossard, I think a 50-50 chance he comes back.”
Sam: Fabian Schar 2+ fouls 7/4, Myles Lewis-Skelly to be fouled 2+ times
“I absolutely love player fouls. Fabian Schar to commit two or more fouls, seven to four. He’s committed nine fouls in his last six matches.
“Looking at who he’s likely to come up against, which is the big one for me, Miles Lewis-Skelly on that left-hand side, likes to get forward.
“He’s been one of the shining lights of Arsenal season, hasn’t he? But he’s been fouled at least two times in seven of his last nine league appearances. In fact, only James Madison is averaging more fouls, one per 90 in the Premier League this season.
“So I can see him potentially causing Newcastle problems down that right-hand side. And if he gets up the field high enough, then I can see him running into Fabian Schar.”
The Boylesports Lockinge Stakes, Newbury, Saturday 2:45pm
Sam: Dancing Gemini 11/4
“Huge race on Saturday at Newbury. It’s the Group One, locking stakes at 2.35. Looking at the market, Rosalien’s a 6-4 favourite for trainer Richard Hannan, who’s having a great start to the flat season so far.
“Had a double at York earlier this week. And to be honest with you, the top three in the market look pretty solid for this one. As I’ve mentioned, Rosalien, 6-4 favourite. Gemini is one that a lot of people like, including myself at 11-4.
“Then you’ve got the likes of notable speech at 4-1. Tanfana, 11-2. Fallen Angel, 16-1. Bar that, you’re looking 20-1 or bigger.”
IPL
Sam: Virat Kohli top batsman
“I’m going to have to continue that theme of Virat Kohli because obviously it’s been a big week for him. He’s announced his retirement from Test cricket. He’s still going to be playing T20 IPL and obviously one day international as well. Yeah.
“His team, Royal Challengers Bengaluru play the Kolkata Night Riders on Saturday. Challengers, the favourites are 8-11.
“They’re absolutely having a storming season so far, this IPL, second in the table at the minute and looking good.
“The upset, Kolkata to win, currently 11-10.
“But looking at Kohli and sticking with the theme of backing him and hopefully getting some more winners on him, he’s the 11-4 favourite to be the top batsman in this game.
“We’ve actually odds boosted him as well to have two sixes, two plus sixes, should I say, two plus fours and to take a catch. That’s 10-1.”
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