Football predictions: can Jose Mourinho steer Spurs to FA Cup glory?

Football predictions: can Jose Mourinho steer Spurs to FA Cup glory?

The sacking of Mauricio Pochettino a few weeks ago came as something of a sports news shock. He had done so well with the Tottenham squad over the past four years without any significant transfer activity. A top-four finish in the Premier League became almost expected.

But after losing to Liverpool in the Champions League final and a poor start to this season by Pochettino's own standards, it meant that something had to change, and he was shown the door. As football predictions go, it caught many by surprise but would have been welcome from a betting news point of view.

His replacement as we all now know turned out to be a bit of a revelation too - Jose Mourinho, the so-called “special one.”

The one thing that Mourinho is well respected for is the fact that he wins trophies. Winning the Premiership is way beyond his grasp with Spurs now, and with the current squad of players, Spurs are unlikely to progress much further in this year's Champions League.

Any chances of winning the Carabao Cup disappeared when Tottenham were knocked out by lowly Colchester. That leaves the FA Cup.

Given Mourinho’s record of winning silverware, capturing the FA Cup in his first year in charge at Tottenham Hotspur must be on his mind. As betting tips go, having a small flutter while the odds are relatively good (their victory over Middlesboro now shortens them to around 8 to 1) is well worth considering - especially when you take into account Mourinho's undoubted want for a trophy to prove he is still a contender.

As far as football tips go in the FA Cup, Manchester City are top favourites with the best bookies offering 5 to 2. Liverpool are second-favourites on 21 to 4. So, at 8 to 1, Jose Mourinho's Spurs have got to be a worthwhile bet - even more so if you make it one of your free bets if you can access any new sign up offers.

Tottenham’s next opponents in the FA Cup are Southampton. They play them on Saturday the 25th of January at St Mary’s Stadium. Spurs lost there 1-0 on New Year’s day, so knocking the Saints out and progressing further will be a very attractive proposition for the Portuguese.