It’s semi-final time in the FA Cup this weekend and online bookmakers are fairly clear cut in who they think will appear in the finals. Chelsea again meet Aston Villa and the 7-1 thrashing they handed out the last time they met, it’s no wonder online bookmakers have them 4/7 favourites in FA Cup betting.

Of course, this is the FA Cup and we are now playing on neutral territory at Wembley. Villa’s odds of 11/2 look to be fairly generous all things considered and could be tempting to take up. Chelsea are playing well although their form on the road has not been great this season.

Villa’s away form is not too hot either so it will all come down to who can cope with the large crowd and the atmosphere that an FA Cup semi-final brings with it. I predict Chelsea to win but I doubt it will be anything like the thrashing they handed out last time.

The second semi-final is tomorrow and features Tottenham playing against former Cup holders Portsmouth. Spurs are playing well and deserve to be favourites. Pompey on the other hand are a total enigma. They have had a poor season and sit at the bottom of the table with no chance of avoiding relegation.

They are also in big trouble financially with the club being placed into receivership. With all the turmoil surrounding the club, it’s amazing to see they have made it to the semi-finals. Do they have a last gasp left in them to surprise Spurs. One thing is for sure, Spurs don’t want to treat them too lightly. Portsmouth have a liking for Wembley and have nothing to lose by attacking with everything they have. This too could be a close game.

Spurs are 4/13 with online bookmakers while Portsmouth are totally friendless at 11/1. Not totally friendless – I am tipping them to surprise Spurs and the rest of the football community by winning through to their second finals appearance in three years. It will certainly be the fillip the club needs to get back on its feet. I wonder what odds I could get for a Villa – Pompey accumulator – that would be a turn-up for the books.