Arsenal were today made 4/1 favourites to retain the English FA Cup on Sunday after being drawn at home to Oxford United of the third division in the third round.
Manchester United, who have won the trophy a record 10
times, were made 9/2 second favourites by bookmakers William
Hill. United are at home to first division leaders Portsmouth.
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Liverpool, the 2001 winners who play at Manchester City in
the stand-out tie of the third round, are third in the betting
at 15/2. City, managed by former Liverpool great Kevin Keegan,
are quoted at 40/1.
Chelsea, who lost 2-0 to Arsenal in the 2002 final at
Cardiff's Millennium Stadium in May, are fourth favourites at
9/1 to win the trophy for the third time since 1997 when they
beat Middlesbrough, their third round opponents, 2-0 at Wembley.
Everton, who are away to third division Shrewsbury, and
Newcastle United, losing finalists in 1998 and 1999 and facing a
tough trip to Wolverhampton Wanderers of the first division, are
both 12/1.
At the bottom end of the scale, Oxford are 5,000/1 to win
the trophy if they survive their trip to Arsenal's Highbury
stronghold.
Conference side Morecambe, who meet first division Ipswich
Town for the second time in three seasons having lost to the
then premier league side 3-0 in 2001, and Bristol Rovers of the
third division are 2,500/1.
Two other Conference sides reached the third round.
Dagenham & Redbridge, who travel to second division Plymouth
Argyle, are 1,000/1 and Farnborough Town, who visit third
division Darlington, 2,000/1.
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