Third round FA Cup betting tips: Aston Villa to win, Matheus Cunha to score and more
Ruben Amorim walked away with a £10million pay-off on Monday when he was sacked as Manchester United's head coach after 14 months in charge.
That’s not bad for a geezer who ended his tenure with:
More losses than wins
16th place finish last season
31%% win rate
Lost a European final to Spurs
Lost to Grimsby
Fans left unable to get a haircut
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s FA Cup TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting bon vivant - The Bookie Basher - including a big clash between Manchester United and Brighton on Sunday, January 11.
Macclesfield FC vs Crystal Palace
Macclesfield FC is a phoenix club of Macclesfield Town, which was sadly wound up after a High Court ruling in September 2020.
They now ply their trade in National League North and so will be buzzing to be playing the FA Cup holders live on BBC One this Saturday, January 10.
Crystal Palace have won their last six against non-league teams in football’s oldest knockout competition, and I would be shocked if the Macc Lads - who are bigger than 10/1 in places in the 1x2 market - ended that run here.
That said, Macclesfield’s Daniel Elliott is a proper livewire, and with four goals already in this season’s competition, 4/1 looks a big price about him scoring against the holders, who are almost certain to rotate after a busy festive Premier League schedule.
Suggested bet: Elliott to score anytime at 41/ (Paddy Power / skybet)
Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa
Spurs have lost two of their last three FA Cup ties against the Villa, going out against the Villains in the fourth round just last season.
The good news for Tottenham fans? Tottenham have progressed from 18 of their last 19 FA Cup third-round ties. The bad news? Spurs look toothless up top under Thomas Frank, as demonstrated by a current season's average of just 9.9 shots per league game.
Morgan Rogers has been involved in five goals in four appearances against Tottenham in all competitions (three goals, two assists), and the England man can lead Villa to victory again here.
Suggested bet: Aston Villa to win to nil at 4/1 (Bet Victor / Hills)
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Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Pompey are winless in their last 22 games against Arsenal in all competitions, a run that rolls all the way back to 1958.
However, I would not rate the high-flying Gunners as a steering job here.
Since winning the FA Cup in Mikel Arteta’s first season in charge in 2019/20, the Gooners have gone out of the competition in either the third round (x 3) or fourth round (x 2) in the last five campaigns.
Expect wholesale Arsenal rotation. The Premier League is the Holy Grail this season for Arteta, while they are also still involved at the business end of EFL Cup proceedings.
One of my favourite Roald Dahl quotes is: "Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.”
There are going to be FA Cup shocks this weekend, and don’t rule out a bit of FA Cup magic being sprinkled around Fratton Park on Sunday, January 11, where Portsmouth are available to back at 12s to produce a seismic shock.
Suggested bet: Portsmouth to win at 12/1 (General)
Manchester United vs Brighton
Brighton have won three of their last four visits to Old Trafford and might have been a play here had Amorim still been in charge.
Amorim had been given all the ingredients to make a gourmet meal, but all he ultimately delivered for Manchester United fans was a 3-4-3 Findus Crispy Pancakes and beans.
And the pancakes were a bit black and definitely overcooked. And the beans were welded to the pan.
Manchester United's interim boss, Darren Fletcher, will be desperate for a win here, and I like the look of Matheus Cunha at 17/10 to find the net.
It is in the midst of disasters that bold men grow bolder, and despite some clown show performances from Man United this season, Cunha himself has looked sharp and consistent.
The Brazilian has scored in each of his last four FA Cup appearances and can continue that sequence against a Brighton side that are not the best defensively.
Suggested bet: Cunha to score anytime at 17/10 (Hills)
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