Saturday’s FA Cup games did not serve me well with only Torquay doing me proud. The two games I boldly predicted goals in contained just one apiece while Barrow crumbled in the final ten minutes at home to Rotherham, this after having the lead for three-quarters of the match. The Gulls were impressive 3-1 win at Chesterfield and although their odds of 3/1 on victory isn’t to be sniffed at, landing one out of four picks makes for dire reading – this after a miserable session on Friday with the Euro 2012 play-offs.
Moving on to Sunday’s billing of FA Cup ties; Conference North side Halifax Town host League One high-flyers Charlton while three-time former winners Sheffield Wednesday go to Morecambe – and I don’t envisage any upset in either.
The Owls are arguably more susceptible; Morecambe sit fifth in League Two, after a solid start to the season, and go into the game unbeaten in five. However the Shrimps have won only won once at the Globe Arena in as many league and cup games, three of which were defeats, conceding eleven in the process.
As for Wednesday, a narrow 3-2 loss away at Carlisle in October remains their only defeat in nine matches; six of those were victories, while away from home they’ve notched two goals or more in four of their previous five.
Even though Morecambe haven’t exactly made the most of home comforts this season, the Globe Arena will be a sell-out and that should enhance their teams’ claims for a Second Round berth. They’ll also take heart from the fact Sheff Wed don’t keep many clean sheets, especially on the road, though their own leaky defence will have Gary Megson’s Owls swooping in for the kill.
The earlier game sees Charlton go to The Shay to face a club rising from the flames in Halifax Town. The Shaymen went under as recently as 2008, with the club crippled by debts, so to even be involved at this stage of proceedings is a real achievement – though one does suspect their fairytale revival will end in tear on Sunday.
A Charlton slip-up would be a real turn up for the books considering how consistent they’ve been this season, and it would require a real lousy performance on their part. The Addicks are bossing matters in League One and have already put five-points between them and their nearest pursuer at the summit, losing just one of seventeen in the league, amassing a league-high 39 goals, 15 coming in their last four games – all of which were victories meaning Chris Powell’s men go into the game seeking a fifth straight win.
So, Charlton should justify strong favouritism, though at 4/9 there are better ways to spend your hard-earned cash. Wednesday should also oust Morecambe, though that one will be closer. The away double pays 2/1 with Ladbrokes, which isn’t great.
With regards to separate bets; goals, goals, goals at the Globe Arena as two teams with leaky back-lines commence batte, while a handsome victory could well be on the cards for Charlton provided they apply themselves correctly.
Recommended Bets
Charlton & Sheffield Wednesday both to WIN @ 2/1 Ladbrokes
