Expert Jury: FA Cup semi-finalists look hard to split

We asked our top team of writers and a leading odds-compiler for their thoughts on this week's big talking points and this is how they answered...

What is your best football bet this weekend?

Racing Post's Joe Casey: Leicester to beat Newcastle. The Foxes showed their quality in their 2-1 win over PSV in the Europa Conference League on Thursday and demonstrated their squad depth in last week’s win over Crystal Palace. The return of Wesley Fofana is a huge asset for Brendan Rodgers’ side and they have won five of their last six meetings with the Magpies, who don’t have a huge amount to play for.

Racing Post's Liam Flin: Top-four chasers Freiburg to see off Bochum in the Bundesliga. Bochum fought valiantly in a draw with Bayer Leverkusen last Sunday but they are unlikely to repeat the feat in the Black Forest region given only three of their ten league wins have come on the road this term.

Racing Post's James Milton: Sassuolo to win at Cagliari in Saturday's early Serie A game. Cagliari have lost their last five league games and have won only twice at home all season so free-scoring Sassuolo, who have won at Inter, Milan and Juventus this term, should create enough chances to secure another away victory.

Aleksejs Kovtjuhs from Ladbrokes: Tottenham have been in impressive form lately with four consecutive wins and a goal difference of +12. I doubt Matt Doherty’s injury will have a big impact on them and with Champions League football to play for I expect them to record a comfortable home win over Brighton. Spurs -1 on the handicap looks the bet.

Who are the most vulnerable favourites?

Joe Casey: I’m not sure I’d be piling in to Manchester City when they face Liverpool, particularly with the question marks about Kevin De Bruyne and Kyle Walker’s fitness. Walker may arguably be as big a miss as the Belgian maestro. His pace is key to cleaning up behind City's centre-backs, who are not the quickest. Liverpool had an easier midweek assignment and can keep the quadruple show on the road.

Liam Flin: They may still be nailed on for relegation but I would not rule out Norwich causing a stir at Manchester United. The Canaries have tightened up with successive clean sheets, have little to lose and are playing a Red Devils team who were woeful against Everton last time out.

James Milton: Chelsea are bound to be feeling jaded after their dramatic Champions League exit in Madrid and they look too short to beat FA Cup semi-final opponents Crystal Palace in 90 minutes. The Blues needed an 89th-minute goal to win February's league meeting at Selhurst Park and an energetic young Palace side should provide another stiff test.

Aleksejs Kovtjuhs: Manchester United. Backing Norwich to win would probably be a bit too adventurous but they are more than capable of stinging the struggling Red Devils on the counter. Back the Canaries to score at a shade of odds-on.

Which teams will make the FA Cup final?

Joe Casey: Liverpool and, just about, Chelsea. I think Crystal Palace could really test the Blues after a gruelling 120 minutes at the Bernabeu and their backline has looked a lot shakier than usual in recent weeks. The Eagles will miss Conor Gallagher but have been impressive this season and I can see the match going beyond 90 minutes.

Liam Flin: As great as it would be to see Crystal Palace in the final, I think Chelsea's exit from the Champions League will act as even greater motivation for them to attack Sunday's semi-final. Joining them could be Liverpool, who ran Man City close at the Etihad and should have the edge on neutral soil after Pep Guardiola's men's fiery affair with Atletico.

James Milton: As the Premier League table demonstrates, Manchester City and Liverpool are hard to separate but City's gruelling second leg at Atletico Madrid means the Reds have a great chance of qualifying from their heavyweight semi-final clash. As mentioned above, there are question marks over Chelsea so Crystal Palace could be worth backing to upset the Blues.

Aleksejs Kovtjuhs: I can't see why Chelsea wouldn’t make it to the final given Palace haven't beaten them for almost five years. Their likely opponents are harder to call but I will go for Manchester City. I expect them to dominate again, as was the case for most of last week's 2-2 Premier League draw.

How many points will be required to win the Premier League?

Joe Casey: I’ll say 92 or 93. It’s going to go down to the wire and I can’t see either team dropping off significantly. I would expect whoever lifts the crown to win at least six of their remaining seven games. These are the two best teams we’ve seen in the Premier League and it should be quite a show over the next month and a bit.

Liam Flin: With City on 74 points and Liverpool on 73, I reckon early 90s should be enough to get the job done. Each have seven matches left so 21 points are up for grabs and with games against Manchester United and Tottenham to come, Liverpool are perhaps the most likely to drop points.

James Milton: Liverpool had won ten in a row before last weekend's 2-2 draw at Manchester City and next month's home game against resurgent Tottenham looks the biggest hurdle on their run-in. City should beat Brighton, Watford, Newcastle and Aston Villa at home but trips to Wolves, Leeds and West Ham are less straightforward so around 91 or 92 points may be enough.

Aleksejs Kovtjuhs: The title race is set to go to the wire with seven games to go and one point separating the two teams. Liverpool's schedule looks tougher so I’m expecting them to drop a point or two. I'll go for City to lift the title with 93 points.

Give us a winner on the midweek coupon

Joe Casey: Southampton look a big price to beat Burnley, considering the issues at Turf Moor at present. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men have gone through a rough patch but that can happen with a small squad and I fancy them to come out the other side of it.

Liam Flin: Chelsea look a great bet to beat Arsenal at odds-against. The Crystal Palace defeat seemed like a blip for Mikel Arteta's young side but following that reverse with another at home to Brighton suggests they are having a wobble. Chelsea, meanwhile, have recorded some big confidence-boosting wins over Southampton and Real Madrid in the past week.

James Milton: Leicester are worth backing to win at Everton on Wednesday. The Foxes are through to the Europa Conference League semi-finals and their domestic form has also improved. Their last six Premier League results include wins over Burnley, Leeds, Brentford and Crystal Palace as well as a 1-1 draw with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Aleksejs Kovtjuhs: I’m expecting Sheffield United to maintain their playoff push and get three points away to Bristol City who have little to play for and have been poor at home lately.

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