Although the fourth-round draw for the Emirates FA Cup has already taken place, there’s still several FA Cup third round replays to be settled.
We’ll be previewing six of the biggest replays, including the intriguing one at Selhurst Park between Premier League side Crystal Palace and Sky Bet League One’s Bolton Wanderers, as well as the all-Premier League tie between Burnley and Sunderland.
Our main focus, however, will be on Liverpool’s trip to Home Park to take on fourth-tier outfit Plymouth Argyle, after the pair played out a surprise 0-0 draw at Anfield.
- AFC Wimbledon v Sutton United – AFC Wimbledon to Win (1/2 at Sky Bet)
- Burnley v Sunderland – Burnley to Win -1 (13/4 at Coral)
- Crystal Palace v Bolton Wanderers – Crystal Palace to Win to Nil (7/4 at BetVictor)
- Newcastle United v Birmingham City – Draw (7/2 at Betfred)
- Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool – Liverpool to Win 3-0 (8/1 at BetVictor)
- Southampton v Norwich City – Southampton to Win -1 (17/10 at Coral)
FA Cup
Incredibly, somehow or another, Jurgen Klopp’s star-studded Liverpool side failed to break down their League Two visitors, meaning the Reds must now face an unwanted replay in Devon. Elsewhere, Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace could only manage a draw at his former club Bolton Wanderers, whilst Sean Dyche’s Burnley and David Moyes’ Sunderland also drew 0-0 at the Stadium of Light.
AFC Wimbledon v Sutton United – 17th January
We kick things off with the tasty looking tie at Kingsmeadow, as League One AFC Wimbledon host National League outfit Sutton United. The Dons, who currently lie 13th in League One, will be looking to get the job done on their own patch.
When these two met at the Gander Green Stadium last Saturday, Sutton frustrated Wimbledon and fully deserved to force the replay. Paul Doswell’s men had more shots than Wimbledon, they even had chances to win it.
Unfortunately for Sutton, you can’t help but think that if the non-league side were to go through, they would have done it at their own ground. Therefore, we can see Neal Ardley’s men progressing, with Sky Bet offering 1/2 for them to win in the 90.
AFC Wimbledon to Win – 1/2 at Sky Bet
Burnley v Sunderland – 17th January
Neither Burnley nor Sunderland would have wanted a replay, but a replay is exactly what these two Premier League sides have got. Being at home, the Clarets are the favourites to make it through to round four, but the Black Cats are capable of causing one or two problems.
Both teams huffed and puffed at the Stadium of Light, but the match lacked any real quality. With Sunderland 19th and Burnley 12th in the Premier League, this is a match they could both do without. Nevertheless, both will want to make it through to the fourth round of this famous old competition
When these met at Turf Moor in the league back in December, Dyche’s men ran out emphatic 4-1 winners. Although we think the margin of victory won’t be quite so big, we still anticipate the home team winning. Coral’s 13/4 for Burnley to win -1 stands out.
Burnley to Win -1 – 13/4 at Coral
Crystal Palace v Bolton Wanderers – 17th January
After a goalless draw at the Macron Stadium, Sam Allardyce’s Crystal Palace welcome Phil Parkinson’s Bolton Wanderers to Selhurst Park to settle this FA Cup tie once and for all.
The Eagles may have dominated at Bolton, but like a few top-flight teams in this year’s third round, they failed to break through their lower league opponents’ defence. The 0-0 at the Macron means Big Sam is still waiting for his first victory as Palace boss.
The Trotters may be doing well in the league, sitting third in League One, but we’re going for another home win in this one. BetVictor are offering 7/4 for Allardyce’s troops to win to nil, a bet we feel is worth grabbing with both hands.
Crystal Palace to Win to Nil – 7/4 at BetVictor
Newcastle United v Birmingham City – 18th January
The only all-Championship replay takes place at St James’ Park, as Rafael Benitez’s Newcastle United host Gianfranco Zola’s Birmingham City. The Magpies will be searching for a solid home victory in this one.
Despite a superb start and arguably having the best squad in the division, things have not quite been going to plan for Newcastle of late. As for Birmingham, after making the unpopular decision to sack the popular Gary Rowett and replace him with Zola, the Blues have yet to muster a win.
When these two Championship rivals met at St Andrews last week, it finished in a 1-1 draw. Neither side are in particularly good form and after a rather stuttering encounter in the initial match we can see more of the same happening on Wednesday. Because of that, we feel there’s good value in Betfred’s 7/2 for this one to end all square in the 90 minutes.
Draw – 7/2 at Betfred
Plymouth Argyle v Liverpool – 18th January
The standout tie of this round’s FA Cup replays is without doubt the match at Home Park between Derek Adams’ Plymouth Argyle and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool. Despite the Reds dominating for large parts, the Pilgrims stood firm and certainly deserve another crack at the seven-time winners. As for Liverpool, they will be looking to get the job swiftly done in Devon.
With Klopp’s men second in the Premier League table and in the EFL Cup semi-final, the last thing they needed was an FA Cup replay on a Wednesday night against tricky lower-league opposition. However, despite an experimental squad, Klopp’s chosen XI failed to get past Plymouth’s stubborn defence. Argyle, whose main aim is to reach League One come the end of the season, will fancy their chances of causing one almighty upset on their own patch, especially as the Reds have not won in three.
Although we anticipate Plymouth giving the Premier League side another good game on Wednesday, unfortunately for Adams and co, we can only see one winner. The Liverpool boss has already said he will play the youngsters again, and the kids will be relishing another chance to express themselves in the FA Cup. We think the standout bet in this one is for the away team to win 3-0, which is available at the tempting price of 8/1 with BetVictor.
Liverpool to Win 3-0 – 8/1 at BetVictor
Southampton v Norwich City – 18th January
Last up is the game at St Mary’s between Claude Puel’s Southampton and Alex Neil’s Norwich City. This tie would have been done and dusted if Steven Naismith had not headed in an injury-time equaliser for the Canaries.
Goals from Virgil van Dijk and Maya Yoshida looked to have put the Saints safely through, but Naismith had other ideas. Norwich, who have been in terrible form in the Championship of late, sit ninth in the second tier, whilst Puel’s men occupy 10th in the Premier League.
Despite the pair playing out a thrilling draw at Carrow Road, we can see Southampton getting over the line in this one. In fact, we believe they will progress with ease, and we like Coral’s odds of 17/10 for the Premier League outfit to win -1.
Southampton to Win -1 – 17/10 at Coral