The big boys join the FA Cup at the third round stage, and we have several mouth-watering cup ties to look forward to over the course of the weekend. The action gets underway on Friday when Manchester City travel to Swindon Town.
Chelsea host Chesterfield, Liverpool entertain Shrewsbury Town, and Manchester United welcome Aston Villa to Old Trafford. Check out our FA Cup third round betting preview.
FA Cup Third Round: Best Betting Football Tips
Swindon Town vs. Manchester City: FA Cup Betting Tip
The FA Cup weekend gets up and running on Friday night when Pep Guardiola takes his Man City superstars to the County Ground to face Ben Garner’s Swindon. The Robins ply their trade in EFL League Two after suffering relegation last term, while City are well clear at the top of the Premier League.
Swindon earned this glamour tie against the champions of England after seeing off Crewe Alexandra and Walsall in the previous rounds. In terms of League Two, Garner’s side are currently in fifth place with 37 points to their name.
Guardiola’s Man City are in devastating form right now. Since a shock 2-0 home league defeat to Crystal Palace way back in October, the Citizens have gone on to win 13 of their following 14 in all competitions. Last time out, Pep’s boys scored late to win 2-1 at Arsenal in the Premier League.
The Swindon faithful will certainly enjoy the occasion, but Man City should be far too strong for the fourth-tier outfit on Friday. Put some money on the Premier League leaders to win both halves at 26/25.
Swindon Town 14/1
Draw 7/1
Manchester City 2/13
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 26/25 odds taken 1129 GMT, Friday 7 January
Chelsea vs. Chesterfield: Best FA Cup Betting Predictions
On Saturday evening, Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea welcome James Rowe’s Chesterfield to Stamford Bridge. The Premier League giants are the overwhelming favourites to see off the National League team. In truth, this should be a walk in the park for the Londoners.
Fresh from their first leg Carabao Cup victory over Tottenham Hotspur, Tuchel’s Chelsea will be looking for another home victory in the cup on Saturday. The Blues have been tough to beat this season, with just Man City, Juventus and West Ham United getting the better of the current European champions.
Chesterfield of the National League have had a solid FA Cup campaign so far. The Spireites have reached the third round after seeing off Curzon Ashton, Southend United and Salford City. However, their cup journey will surely come to an end at the weekend.
Chelsea kept a clean sheet in their EFL Cup success over Spurs last time out, and the London outfit should keep the non-league side at bay on Saturday. You can get 1/2 for the hosts to win to nil.
Chelsea 1/20
Draw 12/1
Chesterfield 35/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 1/2 odds taken 1130 GMT, Friday 7 January
Liverpool vs. Shrewsbury Town: FA Cup Betting Odds & Predictions
On Sunday afternoon at Anfield, Premier League Liverpool entertain League One Shrewsbury. Jurgen Klopp will chop and change his side for this one, but the Reds will be targeting a comfortable cup victory on home turf.
This will be Liverpool’s first game since letting a 2-0 lead slip to draw 2-2 at Chelsea in the Premier League on 2nd January. Klopp’s troops have bigger fish to fry this season, but the Reds will want an easy day on Sunday to kick off a potential long FA Cup run.
Steve Cotterill’s Shrewsbury, who are in mid-table in League One at present, beat Stratford 5-1 away from home in round one. In the second round a month back, the Shrews won 2-1 at Carlisle United to setup this huge tie with the Premier League giants.
Liverpool are strong at Anfield, and the Reds should have no problems in this one. We are backing the Merseysiders to win by a margin, so check out Unibet’s solid price of 8/5 for the home team to win -2.
Liverpool 1/4
Draw 11/2
Shrewsbury Town 9/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 8/5 odds taken 1135 GMT, Friday 7 January
Manchester United vs. Aston Villa: Best FA Cup Betting Tips in Round Three
The final third-round tie will take place at Old Trafford on Monday, as Ralf Rangnick’s Man United entertain Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa. The Villans have won at Old Trafford in league action this term, but the Red Devils are the bookies’ favourites in this one.
Rangnick suffered his first loss as Man United boss last time out, seeing his side crash to a disappointing home league reverse to Wolverhampton Wanderers. Nevertheless, United have shown a big improvement since the change of manager.
Gerrard has made a positive impact at Aston Villa since arriving, and the Villans have had some tough games of late. However, the new Villa manager will be looking for a win sooner rather than later after three defeats in four.
Aston Villa will no doubt play their part in what promises to be a cracking cup tie in Manchester. Unfortunately for the Midlands outfit, we can see United nicking it. Put some money on the home victory and both teams to score at 13/5.
Manchester United 4/6
Draw 14/5
Aston Villa 4/1
* Bookmaker Unibet
Odds: 13/5 odds taken 1140 GMT, Friday 7 January
