It’s the magic of the FA Cup in England this weekend. Round two begins and so the focus shifts somewhat from the mega-rich Premier League to the also-rans of the English pyramid. Here are three corking bets to join in the fun….
Macclesfield vs. Oxford
Oxford, a League One outfit, were hugely flattered by their 5-0 win at the infinitesimal Merstham in the first round. They were opened up time and time again by the amateurs while they only managed five goals thanks to non-existent defending.
Michael Appleton’s team have good recent form – winning two of their last three and drawing at Scunthorpe – but this is a nasty, physical test for a team who have struggled against opposition who can mix it.
And Macclesfield can mix it. They are 5.5 (Bet365, Boylesports, Betfred, Stan James) and rate a good wager for this televised affair. Macc ousted Walsall in one of the biggest surprises of the first round. They have the mettle here, no doubt.
The 1.96 (at green listed bookmaker Unibet & 888Sport) about both teams getting a goal is also a cracker. Oxford are slick going forward at this level but are a little creaky at the back.
Cambridge vs. Coventry
Cambridge suffered a scare themselves when Dover Atheltic took the League Two outfit to a replay. They had to come from behind twice to progress.
But the boot will be on the other foot when Coventry City roll into town. They go from hunted to the hunter and they should revel in this role with a packed and partisan crowd – right on top of the players – at the Abbey Stadium roaring them on.
Cambridge are nothing more than midtable team but Coventry’s status as a League One outfit is gravely under threat. This could be a league fixture next term.
The Sky Blues have lost their last three, including a 4-1 hammering at Oxford and a horrendous 2-1 reverse at home to bottom-feeders MK Dons. They are hugely vulnerable here and have to be taken on at the odds.
You can get 3.5 about the hosts with Bet365, Betfred, Stan James, Unibet, Bwin, 32Red.
Notts County vs. Peterborough
League Two County host League One Posh and although it’s not one of the glamour ties of the round it provides us with a terrific betting opportunity.
But we don’t believe this will be shock teritroy. Quite the opposite, in fact. Peterborough could tear County apart as the gulf between these two in terms of just professionalism is whopping.
John Sheridan, the County manager, has presided over three consecutive losses and they stand fifth from bottom. Included in that sequence was a horror show against Newport at home – they lost 3-0.
They are in disarray. There is no confidence, nor seemingly a will to put things right with management and players at loggerheads. On Tuesday, County will play their first-team in a reserve fixture in what is seen as a punishment for the 3-2 defeat by Barnet.
Assistant manager Mark Crossley said: “The players have got to show us what they’re made of. At the moment they\’re showing us they\’re not made of anything.” Last month, Sheridan claimed his team would not have beaten a pub team after a 4-0 loss to Blackpool.
Posh, on the other hand, are flying. They have won five of their last six with the odd one out a defeat against high-flying Scunthorpe. At 2.2 (Marathon) they are not to be missed. The 2.1 with Betfred, Paddy Power, Unibet, 32Red, 888Sport is still good.
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