Semi Final Showdown at Wembley

This weekend sees some intriguing ties throughout the leagues as teams continue to try to push for titles & promotions, playoffs & European places whereas at the other end of the tables the scrap to escape relegation becomes ever more desperate. Throw into that the FA Cup semi finals & there is plenty of action to get your betting teeth into, we're trying to help with a few picks that look reasonable at the prices. As ever you can follow us on Twitter @LikeBuyingMoney by clicking the follow button above, it's a good way too keep up to date with our latest posts & join in with the sport & betting conversation.

(Crewe boss Steve Davis hopes the travelling fans can inspire another 3 points)

Down in League Two, Crewe Alexandra travel to Mose Rose to face Macclesfield Town, Crewe are outside the play-off places on goal difference from Oxford United on 66 points whilst Macclesfield are in the relegation spots & three points away from safety. Crewe are unbeaten in their last 12 league games & have won five of their last seven with the latest being a comfortable 3-0 home victory over Bristol Rovers after two consecutive 1-1 draws, on the road they are unbeaten in their last five with two of them ending in victories against Gillingham & Hereford. Hosts Macclesfield are in dire form & haven't registered a win since 2011, their last 19 league games have ended with 13 defeats & six draws, with their last three games in a row lost against Gillingham, Shrewsbury Town & Port Vale. Crewe can continue their fine form at the expense of woeful Macclesfield at a too big price of 5/4 with Stan James.

(It isn't easy to work out who will line up for Chelsea v Spurs, could it be Sideshow Bob?)

The big games of the weekend come in the FA Cup semi finals, with firstly Liverpool taking on Everton & then the utterly ridiculous 6pm kickoff on Sunday between Spurs & Chelsea. We're going to keep things relatively simple here, Spurs & Liverpool have been atrocious in 2012 whereas Chelsea have improved immeasurably since sacking AVB & Everton have produced their usual late season charge. It makes no sense at all that Liverpool are favourites for their game as David Moyes was able to rest players for their midweek game just as Kenny Dalglish was, there is talk of how Liverpool are prioritising the cup competitions but Moyes prioritised it so much he fielded an understength side in the Derby match between these two at Goodison in preparation for facing Sunderland! Everton have found a cutting edge now with Nikica Jelvic up front & the play in the team has improved a lot thanks to the return of Steven Pienaar, on loan from Spurs. Harry Redknapp has already won the competition with Portsmouth & would dearly love to again but the reason Spurs edge ahead for favouritism appears to be because of the commitments to the Champions League that Chelsea have, with Barcelona to face in the coming week. It however won't be easy for Spurs to suddenly turn on the style whichever Chelsea players they face here after yet another poor result, losing at home to Norwich, they looked to be turning it around with wins against poor Bolton & a fading Swansea but maybe that was a false dawn. We're going for a double of Everton to win against Liverpool (in 90 minutes) at great odds of 85/40 & Chelsea to qualify for the final, in what could be a trappy affair at 10/11 (double with BetVictor), it pays just about £60 to a £10 stake & is worth a little investment.

(Hotshot Rene Howe has delayed knee surgery to help push Torquay into League One)

Also in League Two, Torquay United entertain Southend United at Plainmoor, this is a massive match in the race for promotion to League One with Torquay sat in 2nd & Southend in 5th but only six points behind. Torquay are in good form with five wins, two draws & only one defeat to current league leaders Swindon Town in their last eight league games, they have won three of their last four with victories over Port Vale, Barnet & Accrington Stanley. The Gulls home form has seen 12 victories out of 21 & they have scored at least one goal in 95% of these matches, lately at home they are unbeaten in their last four & have won their last two in a row. Visitors Southend are going through an inconsistent spell & have been defeated three times in their last five league games with the latest being away at Bradford City 2-0, they have a good away record this season but in recent weeks they have lost their last two in a row & four of their last six. We believe that Torquay will be too strong for Southend & put further distance between the two sides at the best price of 13/10 with William Hill.

Selections:
Crewe Alexandra to beat Macclesfield Town at 5/4 (Stan James)
Everton to beat Liverpool (in 90 mins) & Chelsea to qualify over Spurs double at odds just shy of 5/1 (BetVictor)
Torquay United to beat Southend United at 13/10 (William Hill)