Three games in the FA Cup tonight so let’s pick a bet from each and go for an acca. I’m ranking the
games from very interesting to quite dull, so starting with very interesting is Blackpool v Nott’m
Forest.
This is not only interesting cos this is where you could see an upset, it’s interesting to see how Forest
will react to this week’s charge of breaching the Premier League financial rules, it’s also interesting
to see how Forest fair at a place their FA Cup ended last season, with a 4-1 defeat at Blackpool.
Coincidentally, Forest won here 4-1 in the Championship when they got promoted, and the game
before that at Blackpool they drew 4-4, and that’s after they took a 4-3 lead in the 90 th minute. So,
Blackpool v Forest could be a real FA Cup drama tie with plenty of goals. Very interesting.
Blackpool have hit some form too, with 7 wins in 9 home games in League 1, and they are scoring
goals with Jordan Rhodes bagging plenty, although he has yet to score in 2024, so they are a threat
and at 13/5 in places, are a play to win. But my number one pick in this is both teams to score, no
draw, which I can find at 13/10. I know it finished 2-2 in the first leg but I’m confident there will be
goals, not so confident on the draw.
Then comes Bristol Rovers v Norwich. I tipped Bristol Rovers to get something at Norwich, so I am
not surprised at all this has gone to a replay. Norwich and the FA Cup are not best of friends. And
they do have an odd record in this competition. They have won 8 of their last 20 FA Cup games, and
of those 8 wins, 6 of them are away from Carrow Road, so you would argue they are more of a play
to win at Bristol Rovers than at home to them. Bristol Rovers at home though in the FA Cup are
tough to beat, just 2 defeats in 10.
It’s 11 th in League 1 at home to 11 th in the Championship could go the distance. I’m going for a draw
in this one at around 13/5
And then comes the dull fixture. Everton v Palace. 0-0 in the first leg, with the main talking point
being Calvert Lewins red card more than anything else. Everton have won none of their last 5, Palace
have won just 1 of their last 5, so no sparkling form between them. As my grandad would say, if this
game was at the bottom of my garden, I’d close the curtains. We have had some great games
between these sides, we’ve had a couple of 3-2’s in the last few years BUT is this game going to be
full of goals and drama? I’m not so sure.
So, like Bristol Rovers v Norwich, I’m also plumping for the draw. Which I can find at 23/10.
Draws between Bristol Rovers v Norwich and Everton and Palace, with both score NO draw between
Blackpool and Forst, just over 26/1.
The very best of luck and gamble responsibly.