The FA Cup begins in earnest this weekend, three months after the official kick-off. The two Sheffield clubs are arguably the biggest names on show in the first round, while there are 27 non-league sides still going strong, all dreaming of still being involved when the draw for the third round is announced – the stage of the competition when the Premier League’s elite enter the fray.
From the north-east of London, Redbridge, who ply their trade in the Isthmian Division One North – the 8th tier of English Football, are the lowest ranked team involved in the competition proper. But there was to be no dream tie, as they drew Oxford City.
Sheffield United (4) and Sheffield Wednesday (3) head the list of former winners, though no club involved in the opening round have appear in more finals than Preston. All three have recently dropped down from the Championship.
Preston host the current leaders of League Two, Southend, at Deepdale while Sheffield United entertain non-league opposition in the form of Oxford City. Wednesday, meanwhile, go to Morecombe for Sunday’s live ESPN encounter.
In terms of potential upsets, or as us FA Cup traditionalists like to call them: giant-killers, look no further than Alfreton (away to Carlisle), Basingstoke (away to Brentford), Corby Town (away to Bristol Rovers), Nantwich Town (away to MK Dons) and Stourbridge (away to Plymouth), with all having to defy sizeable odds if they’re to prolong their FA Cup adventure.
TIPS
More like hunches. The first round has been a graveyard for many over the years, and there will almost certainly be a few who succumb to the little guys – which is why this competition is so revered.
Uwe Rosler’s Brentford haven’t exactly been firing on all cylinders lately, with The Bees having won just once in the league in seven. Their opponents are Basingstoke, from the Conference South, and they have been winning matches of late – and scoring goals. Nevertheless, you’d expect the League Two side to triumph convincingly at Griffin Park, though the underdogs could embarrass them at the back. A potential inclusion in your Goals Galore coupon perhaps? (Both Teams to Score @ EVENS with SkyBet)
Could their be an upset on the cards at Holker Street, where Barrow from the Conference entertain League Two Rotherham? The Millers were outright league leaders at one point this season, however a drastic run of results has seen them plummet down the table at a frightening rate. They’ve won just one of their last eleven league and cup matches and are most definitely susceptible to a shock up against a Barrow side in confident form; the ‘Ziggers’ have lost only one of their previous five in all competitions, winning four on the spin before slumping to a 2-1 defeat away at Lincoln City last weekend. But they have won four on the spin at home, racking up precisely three goals in each of their last two. (Barrow to WIN @ 23/10 with VictorChandler)
Last season this would have been an all-League Two clash. Not now though, as Chesterfield and Torquay reconvene at the B2net Stadium. The Spireites have earned favouritism courtesy of their League One status, but Paul Sheridan’s men aren’t in the best of forms, winning one of their last seven matches, and continue to leak goals like a sieve. The latter predicament leaves them alarmingly exposed against any team who can actually defend, hence why Torquay come across as exceptional value: The Gulls head into the game buoyed by three straight wins in the league, scoring eight and conceding none, and are stellar odds to shut out the favourites. (Torquay to WIN @ 3/1 with 888Sport)
Following a bright opening, someone has seriously dimmed the lights on Hartlepool’s fading campaign. The ‘Monkey Hangers’ were shaping up as genuine play-off contenders in the early stages, after going their first nine matches unbeaten, but they’ve hit a brick wall ever since October burst into life: Mick Wadsworth’s team have won of seven since the beginning of October, conceding sixteen whilst managing a paltry five themselves. Their opponents, though, are in blistering form. Stevenage have won four of their previous five games in an unbeaten sequence that includes back-to-back away successes. They aren’t the best travellers though, so it could pay to back neither side triumphing at Victoria Park. (Draw @ 5/2 with SkyBet)
Luton would regularly make Premier League sweat in the FA Cup, but now their sole focus is returning to the Football League. Now languishing in the Conference, The Hatters play host to League Two Northampton at Kenwilworth Road who themselves, contrastingly, are scraping tooth and nail to maintain their Football League status. The Cobblers lie fourth from bottom in the league and are currently without a win in their last six. But while winning clearly isn’t their bag – they’ve netted seven in three games, scoring goals is and with Luton seeking to make the most of home advantage this could be another ideal Goals Galore pick. (Both Teams to Score @ 4/6 888Sport)
I wish you the very best of luck should you enter the betting minefield that is the FA Cup first round.
