FA Cup holders Manchester City expected to start defence with rout of Port Vale

Manchester City are well off the pace in the Premier League title race but bookmakers rate them the team to beat in the FA Cup.

The Citizens, who thrashed Watford 6-0 in last season’s final, are 3-1 favourites to retain the trophy and bet365 expect them to rattle in the goals against third-round opponents Port Vale.

The firm make City 11-8 to be the highest-scoring top-flight team in the cup this weekend when they face a Vale side who sit tenth in Sky Bet League Two.

Leicester, who host Wigan, are 6-1 to outscore their Premier League teams in the cup while league leaders Liverpool are 25-1 shots in the market. The Reds have a derby clash with Everton at Anfield on Sunday and are 6-1 to lift the FA Cup this season.

It has been more than a year since Liverpool lost a league match and Jurgen Klopp’s men are 8-1 with Sky Bet to go through the 2019-20 campaign unbeaten.

Bet365 offer 11-4 that 13 or fewer Premier League teams reach the fourth round of the competition while it is 2-1 that at least 15 top-flight clubs progress from their ties.

Aston Villa take on Leicester in next week's League Cup semi-final first leg but Dean Smith’s side will be without goalkeeper Tom Heaton and striker Wesley for the rest of the season.

Both players suffered knee injuries during the win at Burnley on Wednesday and Villa are 10-11 to be relegated and 14-1 outsiders for the League Cup.

Wayne Rooney enjoyed a winning debut for Derby against Barnsley on Thursday and the Rams, 17th in the Sky Bet Championship, are 4-1 to finish in the top half and 33-1 to make the top six this season.

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