FA Cup: Chelsea v Birmingham Odds and Betting Preview

LONDON, UK: With their Premier League title chances long gone, Chelsea host Birmingham in the FA Cup hoping to get something out of a season that has been, for fans, disappointing at times and infuriating at others. The Londoners are strong favourites for Saturday's fifth-round tie, at just 1/3 with William Hill (bet £30 to win £100 profit), with the draw at 9/2 with Coral who are also top price on the visitors at 11/1. 

Chelsea's last five games have seen them earn just one win, despite facing three newly-promoted sides, and throw away a three-goal lead at home to Manchester United. Last Saturday's defeat to Everton leaves them as low as fifth in the Premier League table, ten points behind Tottenham in third and 17 behind leaders Manchester City. Birmingham, meanwhile, are in tremendous form, and go into the game on the back of seven wins in their last ten and unbeaten in thirteen games. 

Premier League class is still, however, expected to tell, and the favourite score for the game is 2-0 to Chelsea, at 6/1 with Ladbrokes, who also go top price on 1-0, offering 7/1. A convincing 3-0 home win can be backed at 8/1 with Coral, while a 1-1 draw is 10/1 with Betfred. The game is 16/1 with Sky Bet to finish goalless, in which case Bet 365 will refund losing HT/FT, correct score and scorecast bets, while Birmingham are as long as 25/1 with Stan James to come away with a famous 1-0 win.

Didier Drogba returns for Chelsea following his efforts at the African Cup of Nations, and the Ivorian striker is the 7/2 favourite with Bet 365 and BetVictor to open the scoring on Saturday. Next in the betting is Daniel Sturridge, at 4/1 with Paddy Power, while Fernando Torres and Frank Lampard can be backed at 9/2 and 11/2 respectively with BetVictor. Marlon King, who is Birmingham's top-scorer this season on nine goals, is 11/1 with Boylesports, followed closely by Nicola Zigic at 12/1 with Coral.

Chelsea are 5/6 with Paddy Power to lead at both half-time and full-time and 7/2 with Betfred to win the match after drawing at the break. Totesport go 17/2 that both halves finish level, while Birmingham/Birmingham and draw/Birmingham are both available at 22/1 with Ladbrokes.

The FA Cup winner betting is extremely tight as the fifth round approaches, and Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool are currently co-favourites to lift the trophy, at 7/2 with Paddy Power. Birmingam are not given much hope of a shock triumph, at 125/1 with Sky Bet.

The game kicks off at 12.30 GMT, and will be live on ESPN.

Chelsea v Birmingham match betting odds

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