Tuesday FA Cup betting preview
Birmingham v Nottingham Forest, 7.45pm
The bookmakers are at odds (!) when it comes to pricing up the home team for this match. Totesport are certainly reluctant to lay Birmingham, offering just 4/6 that Alex McLeish’s team take ninety minutes to knock out their Championship opponents, although William Hill and Blue Square are a little more adventurous with their 10/11 quotes. Much depends on whether the City team are at full strength, with the manager surely tempted to rest several players after Saturday’s 1-1 draw with Manchester United. It’s likely that Kevin Phillips (6/1 Paddy Power) will get the chance to stretch his legs, with one of Cameron Jerome (5/1 Boylesports) and Christian Benitez (11/2 Paddy Power) likely to drop to the bench.
After Friday’s 3-1 win at West Brom, Nottingham Forest will go into this match with plenty of confidence and they’re now eighteen matches unbeaten in all competitions. Some might therefore consider that the 7/2 (Paddy Power) about the visitors is a decent bet, especially with Dexter Blackstock (8/1 Paddy Power) looking so sharp at The Hawthorns. However, the FA Cup is not a priority for Billy Davies, nor is this a club short of money at the moment. On the basis that the original tie finished goalless, perhaps a wager of Under 2.5 Goals (4/6 Blue Square) could be best.
Coventry v Portsmouth, 7.45pm
A home tie against Sunderland awaits the winner of this clash and it’s hard not to be drawn to the 8/5 (Victor Chandler) about the Sky Blues. Although it wasn’t a vintage performance when beating Barnsley 3-1 on Saturday, Chris Coleman’s team are now safely esconced in mid-table of the Championship and can fully focus on the job in hand. Freddie Eastwood (13/2 Paddy Power) now has five goals in his last six matches and the former Southend striker might fancy his chances against the bottom-placed Premier League side.
Portsmouth seem to be receiving a winding order every week and their abject financial position means their players are having their salary delayed. Bet365 are happy to take on Avram Grant’s team, going 7/4 about an away win, while it’s 5/2 (Sky Bet) that the game goes into extra-time and possibly penalties. Coventry are 5/6 (Stan James) to eventually qualify from the tie.
Bristol City v Cardiff City, 7.45pm
Once again, these teams will attempt to clash swords at Ashton Gate, with the Robins looking for revenge after being beaten 3-0 by the Bluebirds in August. Gary Johnson’s side have had an up and down season, although they are marginal favourites (6/4 Sporting Bet) to win this FA Cup third round clash. However, Bristol City have won just one of their last ten matches and Nicky Maynard (11/2 Paddy Power) has found goals hard to come by after a bright start to the campaign.
Cardiff sit fourth in the Championship, although Dave Jones’ team were roundly booed after a 1-1 draw with Blackpool on Saturday. In their last away match, they conspired to throw away a 4-0 lead to draw 4-4, although they have managed six away wins and might just have enough to oblige at 7/4 (Victor Chandler).