Rooney & RvP to sparkle in cup cracker

On FA Cup quarter-final weekend the eight remaining teams in the competition all have Wembley in their sights.

Saturday’s fixtures see Everton entertaining Wigan at Goodison Park with Manchester City facing Barnsley. And Sunday presents Millwall and Blackburn doing battle and Manchester United taking on current holders Chelsea.

And it is that blockbuster tie at Old Trafford between United and Chelsea where we begin.

On the back of being eliminated from the Champions League on Tuesday night against Real Madrid, United are sure to come out all guns blazing and determined to deliver for their fans. After manager Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed Wayne Rooney will be a Red Devil next season, we fancy Rooney to make a statement after being left out of the starting line-up for that game.

Should Rooney start he is set to have a starring role, and he is evens to score at any time. But the best bet would be Robin van Persie to end his recent goal-drought at 15/4 to net first.

As a successful defence of their Premier League title is more than unlikely to happen, City only have the FA Cup to focus on. They triumphed two years ago in what was Roberto Mancini’s first trophy as City boss and will hope to be victorious once again.

Barnsley are the visitors to the Etihad and are probably thinking about their Championship survival rather than overcoming City as they occupy one of the relegation spots. City priced at 11/4 to score over 2.5 goals has plenty of value in it.

Wigan could be forgiven for thinking exactly the same as Barnsley when they face Everton.

Like Barnsley, Wigan are in one of the relegation places in the Premier League and will also come in for a tough time away from home.

Everton have a great opportunity to win a first trophy under David Moyes, and the Toffees will not come unstuck which is why they are 2/5 to reach the semi-finals. Leighton Baines to strike against his former side at 11/4 would be a decent bet.

Millwall - finalists from 2004 - will consider themselves safe for the time being in the Championship, and manager Kenny Jackett will definitely galvanise his players ahead of such a huge encounter.

With Blackburn just a point above them in the table it is tight between the two sides. So a replay looks to be on the cards, and in order for that to happen 23/10 for the draw might be the best avenue to go down.