FULHAM vs ASTON VILLA 
Saturday 4thJanuary 1501hrs
Football – England FA Cup
Pick Both teams to score
Bookmaker bwin
Odds: 1.55 (odds taken 02:21 GMT, 04 January )
The 3rd round of the FA Cup starts this weekend and Saturday’s fixtures feature the clash between Fulham and Aston Villa as the betting tips continue at Craven Cottage.
Fulham Prediction – Can Fulham bounce back in cup?
Fulham were handed a surprise but ultimately disappointing 2-1 defeat by a rejuvenated Reading outfit in the Championship on New Years Day at Craven Cottage, so the hosts will be keen to bounce back in the third round of the FA Cup despite facing Premier League opposition in the shape of Aston Villa.
Recent results have produced a mixed return for Fulham who have gained wins over Leeds United 2-1 and Stoke City 1-0 (both at home) but although they’ve also suffered defeats to Brentford and Reading, the Cottagers will be reasonably confident that they can spring a surprise against an Aston Villa side who are likely to be rotated under manager, Dean Smith.
As for Fulham, the hosts currently sit in the play-off places in the Championship in 4th place but they haven’t had it all their own way amidst a record of 8-2-4 25/16 as well as both teams scoring in 8 of Fulham’s 14 home matches to date.
Previous encounters against Aston Villa have seen Fulham win 3 of the last 4 meetings while both teams have scored in 4 of the past 7 clashes.
Aston Villa Prediction – Can Aston Villa build on Burnley result?
The west midlands visitors, Aston Villa, will also be in confident mood following their recent 2-1 win away from home at Burnley in the Premier League and The Villains will be hoping they can transfer this recent success into the third round of the FA Cup when they make their way down to the nation’s capital to face Championship outfit Fulham.
The win against Burnley was Villa’s second win in three matches in the top flight following an earlier 1-0 home win against strugglers, Norwich City, but it’s been results away from home that have been the major cause for concern for Aston Villa this season.
With just 2 wins out of their 11 away matches in the Premier League, the visitors will need to pull up their socks again if they’re to see off their Championship opponents here, despite now being in the top flight of English football.
The straight win for Villa looks far from guaranteed but 9 of their last 14 away matches in all competitions suggest that both teams look likely to score here in this cup-tie at Craven Cottage.
Key-Facts – Fulham vs Aston Villa
- 8 of Fulham’s 14 home matches have seen both teams score to date
- 9 of Aston Villa’s last 14 away matches have seen both teams score
- Both teams have scored in 4 of the past 7 clashes between these two sides
Betting Tips Verdict
Both Fulham and Aston Villa will fancy their chances of winning this cup-tie and both look likely to score too.
