Managers faced a tough choice ahead of the FA Cup third round. Did they risk their star players picking up injuries by playing them in the competition or did they risk an upset by playing a weakened team? Of course, the outcome that no manger wanted was a replay.
In all there were eight draws in the third round and five of the replays taking place next week include a Premier League side. With the threat of extra time and penalties looming after another stalemate, we could well be in for some big upsets. This midweek is, therefore, perfect for punters seeking out value. Even better than the options available is the fact that we’ve done the work for you by selecting our choice of the best bets below.
- Leicester v Fleetwood – Leicester to Win to Nil (13/15 with Ladbrokes)
- West Ham v Shrewsbury – West Ham to Win and Both Teams to Score (12/5 with Bet365)
- Mansfield v Cardiff – The Draw (5/2 with Betfair)
- Chelsea v Norwich – Chelsea to Win and Under 2.5 Goals (23/10 with Betfred)
- Swansea v Wolves – Wolves to Win (15/8 with Bet365)
- Wigan v Bournemouth – Over 3.5 Goals (23/10 with BetVictor)
Leicester v Fleetwood – 16th January
As soon as the FA Cup third round draw was made the BBC started making short films about Vardy’s rise from non league football to Premier League winner. Vardy made the move to Leicester from Fleetwood so there was understandably a great deal of interest as he returned to his old stomping ground. Unfortunately, the build up fell flat as Vardy was ruled out by injury and the match itself was even flatter. The game ended 0-0 and was certainly not one either set of fans, let alone neutrals, would have enjoyed.
Barely a chance was created by either team last weekend. Fleetwood will hope that bodes well for their trip to the King Power Stadium where they’ll look to be solid at the back once again. However, Leicester are a different proposition on their own patch and look a good bet to book their place in the fourth round with a win to nil at solid looking odds of 13/15 with Ladbrokes.
Leicester to Win to Nil – 13/15 with Ladbrokes
West Ham v Shrewsbury – 16th January
West Ham had Joe Hart to thank for avoiding an embarrassing defeat against Shrewsbury. The out of favour England goalkeeper made some key saves on his return to the town where he grew up and the club that gave him his break. In truth, both teams struggled to get going on the New Meadow pitch but things should be different at the London Stadium.
West Ham go into the game as the clear favourites and should have more than enough about them to end Shrewsbury’s resistance. However, Salop won’t go down without a fight and they’ll want to showcase their ability at the former Olympic Stadium.
It’s highly possible that there will be more empty seats than fans at the match which will provide a strange atmosphere. Although West Ham should book their place in the fourth round inside the 90 minutes, Shrewsbury are ready to make a game of it. So, a bet on the home side winning and both teams scoring looks well priced at 12/5 with Bet365.
West Ham to Win and Both Teams to Score – 12/5 with Bet365
Mansfield v Cardiff – 16th January
With the greatest respect to Mansfield and Cardiff, this is not the sort of FA Cup tie that gets pulses racing. It looked as though even the players were struggling to motivate themselves for the tie when they played out a pretty dire 0-0 draw in Wales last Saturday. It’s certainly the sort of match that Steve Evans and Neil Warnock could do without even if they won’t be letting on as much to their players.
With Mansfield very much in the running for a playoff position in League Two and Cardiff still pushing for an automatic promotion spot in the Championship, it would be no surprise to see Evans and Warnock both make changes to their first team. While that gives fringe players a chance to show what they can do, it’s unlikely to do much for the fans who turn up to Field Mill. We could be looking at another drab draw before extra time and penalties finally provide some entertainment.
The Draw – 5/2 with Betfair
Chelsea v Norwich – 17th January
Those who picked the TV matches for the FA Cup third rounds didn’t exactly make the best calls. Three of the games broadcast live on UK TV ended up goalless, among them was Chelsea’s trip to Carrow Road to take on Norwich. Despite the noise that came from the travelling fans, it was not a game to get excited about and we may be in line for something similar in the replay. Of course, the visiting side will be happy to have earned the replay and would certainly take another draw after 90 minutes in west London.
Antonio Conte has enough on his plate trying to push Man Utd for second place in the Premier League and preparing for Chelsea’s upcoming Champions League encounter with Barcelona. He does not need a match against Norwich and will be imploring his players to do the absolute minimum necessary to win.
Even a second string Chelsea side should have enough to ensure a comfortable win against the Canaries. Norwich fans are pretty unhappy with the manner of their team’s performances this season and they are unlikely to be cheered up at Stamford Bridge where Chelsea look good value to win a low scoring match at 23/10 with Betfred.
Swansea v Wolves – 17th January
Usually, a Championship side beating Premier League opposition would go down as a surprise. In the case of Wolves’ match against Swansea last weekend the only surprise was that Nuno Espirito Santo’s men didn’t beat the struggling Swans. It could have been very different if Wolves weren’t reduced to 10 men in the first half and the Wanderers have another chance to prove their class ahead of almost certain promotion to the top flight. In just about every regard, it is the Championship club who seem the better football team right now.
New Swansea manager, Carlos Carvalhal, knows the importance of keeping morale high with home wins but the big fight for him is keeping the Swans in the Premier League. Deep down he won’t be too upset to be out of the FA Cup but either way there may not be anything his team can do about it against Wolves, who are very well priced at 15/8 with Bet365.
Wolves to Win – 15/8 with Bet365
Wigan v Bournemouth – 17th January
Eddie Howe may argue that his Bournemouth team were the width of a post away from beating Wigan at the Vitality Stadium but all Cherries fans know that he got away with it. Having picked a heavily rotated team for the match, Howe watched on in horror as the League One leaders raced to a 2-0 lead. Bournemouth only regained parity in the 93rd minute of the match before Ryan Fraser hit the post with almost the last kick of the game. The Cherries were, therefore, very fortunate to remain in the hat for the fourth round draw.
Wigan will take great confidence from their performance in Dorset and
Paul Cook will make it very clear to his players that they have the beating of Bournemouth. Due to the respective league placings of the two teams, it is Wigan who have the edge when it comes to confidecnce and morale.
On the flip side, Howe will remind his players of their responsibilities and their superior class and ability. Defeat to a League One club, even one as good as Wigan, would be an embarrassment, so the away side should at least turn in a fully committed performance. This game could go either way so the best way to approach it from a betting perspective is to back goals and lots of them.
Over 3.5 Goals – 23/10 with BetVictor