Weekend Wagers: Best Bets for the FA Cup Final, Premier League and Lockinge Stakes

This Saturday sees the oldest cup competition in the world reach its much anticipated climax, as the hallowed turf of Wembley Stadium plays host to the 2025 FA Cup Final. Despite their up-and-down league campaign, it’s no surprise to see Manchester City there. For Crystal Palace, this represents a rare shot at a major trophy. Elsewhere on the football front, Arsenal host Newcastle on Sunday afternoon in what promises to be a cracker.

It’s not all about the beautiful game. Racing fans also have much to look forward to as Newbury stages its biggest flat fixture of the season. Who will come home in front in the 2025 Lockinge Stakes? Here, using data presented by NewBettingSites.uk, we pick out our best bets in the headline football fixtures and select two standout punts from Newbury.

Saturday: Highclere Castle Gin Carnavon Stakes - Newbury, 1:25pm

We kick off our punting weekend in this Listed class 6f affair from Newbury. Having finished 1st and 2nd in a Listed event at Navan last time out, the Aidan O’Brien duo of Whistlejacket and Ides Of March immediately catch the eye amongst the current entries. The former heads the market at around 3/1 and will likely start shorter if taking up this engagement. However, the No Nay Never colt also holds an entry in a Group 3 contest at Naas on Sunday afternoon.

The Richard Hughes-trained Sayidah Dariyan is second best in most lists, but is a little short for our liking, considering he has yet to win on turf. Overall, we prefer an each-way punt here.

The William Haggas-trained Almeraq is a horse to follow this season. However, comments stating he likes a lot of juice in the ground are a little off-putting with the weather set fair for the weekend. Take a chance instead on the course and distance winner Brian.

Hailing from the yard of Jamie Moore, this son of Shaman boasts career form figures of 4211354 over this 6f trip, with his only such outing on quick turf seeing him go down by just 2l in a Group 3 Commonwealth Cup Trial last time out. Considering that was his first outing in 221 days, and his first following his switch from the yard of Sylvester Kirk, we wouldn’t be surprised to see him take a step forward from that outing and at least hit the frame.

• Recommended Bet - Brian each way @ Best Morning Price

Saturday: Boylesports Lockinge Stakes – Newbury, 2:35pm

Before settling down to take in the build-up to the FA Cup Final, we will tune in to what looks like an excellent renewal of this Group 1 event for the older horses.

The John & Thady Gosden operation caused quite the shock in the 2024 edition of this when saddling the 22/1 shot Audience to victory. When assessing this race, we were initially drawn to the chance of a similar result with the impeccably bred Lead Artist. Steadily progressive last season, he brings an appealing profile, if, and it’s a big if, we can draw a line through his woeful last-of-eight effort on his seasonal return in the bet365 Mile. At 25/1, he may yet tempt us into a small each-way investment, but we will look elsewhere for our main selection.

Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking for bet365 Mile winner Dancing Gemini, who is the clear pick on this season's form. However, he’s zero from five in Group 1 company, which is just enough to put us off.

Overall, we agree with the official handicapper in rating Rosallion and Notable Speech as the most talented milers in the field. In handing the pair an equal rating of 122, he can’t split them, yet the market makes Rosallion 7/4 favourite and Notable Speech 4/1. That’s too big a discrepancy considering the pair are 1-1 in their clashes to date. Brilliant in the 2024 2000 Guineas and Sussex Stakes, the Charlie Appleby colt is a solid bet at the prices.

• Recommended Bet - Notable Speech to win @ 4/1 with BetMGM

Saturday: FA Cup Final: Crystal Palace vs Manchester City – 4:30pm

Whilst it’s hard to have a true David vs Goliath clash in an all-Premiership FA Cup Final, the 2025 edition isn’t too far off that. Playing the role of Goliath are a Manchester City outfit who have claimed 17 major domestic trophies since the 2010/11 season. And in the shoes of Goliath? None other than Crystal Palace, who have never won a major domestic trophy, ever.

Away from the weight of history, recent encounters have also favoured City, with Pep Guardiola’s men winning 5-2 at the Etihad and picking up a 2-2 draw at Selhurst Park this season. However, Palace have given City plenty to think about in both games, and in Eberechi Eze, boast a near elite talent capable of influencing any game.

Turning to the numbers, City hold the edge, but only barely, with an advantage of 0.12 in xG goals for and 0.16 in xG goals against, equating to a total edge of just 0.28.

Motivated by the chance to etch their names into club history, and boasting pace and creativity on the break, which should be well suited to the wide-open spaces of Wembley, we like the Eagles' chances of at least taking this to extra time. With both teams scoring two or more in each of the last four meetings, the 11/1 about a draw and over 3.5 goals makes plenty of appeal.

• Recommended Bet - Over 3.5 goals and Draw in 90 minutes @ 11/1 with QuinnBet

Sunday: Arsenal vs Newcastle United – 4:30pm

The pick of the Premier League fixtures comes from the Emirates as second-placed Arsenal host third-placed Newcastle. Arsenal can guarantee second position with a win in this one, whilst the visitors will leapfrog the Gunners if they pick up all three points. Whoever loses is likely to head into the final game of the season with Champions League qualification still on the line.

Arsenal thrashed Newcastle 4-1 in the game here last season, but the current campaign has been all Newcastle, with the Magpies beating Arsenal home and away in the Carabao Cup and winning 1-0 in the reverse league fixture.

With four wins in six compared to one win in six for Arsenal, the visitors arrive in better form. However, perhaps the most telling stat may be that both sides have lost only once in their last six. A draw would leave Arsenal all but certain to qualify for the Champions League, whilst, depending on the results of the Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest games, it may also be enough to guarantee Newcastle a coveted place in the top 5. In a game between two evenly matched sides, who both may be suited by a draw, odds of 13/5 look perfectly fair.

• Recommended Bet - Draw @ 13/5 with Midnite