This week is the return of the FA Cup and we will be previewing round three televised matches for you to help you make your predictions.
First match of the round comes from Bramall Lane where Sheffield United host Cardiff City. Chris Wilders’ men managed a 2-1 win away at Watford at the weekend to end a winless three match run they were on and keep them in the Championship title race. The Blades currently sit 3rd in the league and only one point off leaders Leeds. They have had no issues in front of goal this season with Tyrese Campbell netting 6, Gustavo Hamer 6 and Kieffer Moore 5.
The same can’t be said about Cardiff City who are sitting 23rd in the league. Interim manager Omer Riza’s men are really in a relegation battle but will hope this cup tie can provide some welcome respite from their poor league form. Cardiff have only managed one win (2-1 at Watford) in their last 12 in all competitions and drawn seven of their 13 away games this season.
You’d think that priority for Cardiff would be to avoid the drop this season but with Sheffield United facing some injury woes it might be the perfect chance to boost confidence with a victory and progress to the fourth round of the FA Cup. I recommend you taking the top price of 19/20 for Sheffield United to win, which is available at credit card betting sites.
Betting odds: Sheffield United 10/11, Cardiff 3/1 and the Draw 13/5 Kick off 7pm
The second televised game on Thursday comes courtesy of Everton vs Peterborough. Sean Dyche needs a big performance from his team at Goodison Park or he risks being sacked following an extremely poor first half of the season, currently 16th in the league and only a point separates themselves from the relegation zone. They have only played Peterborough once and that was a 2-1 win away from home in 2006.
Dyche can’t get his Everton team scoring goals and the fans are getting frustrated with his negative tactics which has resulted in failing to score in eight of their last ten matches.
Peterborough will travel to Merseyside looking to make the fourth round for the first time since the 21/22 campaign. Victories against Newport County and Notts County have given the Posh faithful a nice Cup run and less than 50 tickets remain for the trip up north. Darren Ferguson’s young squad have four losses and one draw in their last five league games which leaves them 19th but with a five point cushion from the relegation zone.
This will be a good opportunity for Everton to kick start a positive run of form but as we know anything can happen in the FA Cup, so I suggest you look for a more valued bet such as Everton to win and both teams to score which is top priced at 13/8 with the leading non UK casinos.
Current Betting Everton 2/7, Peterborough 15/2 and the Draw 9/2 Kick off 7.45pm
Friday night’s televised match comes from Villa Park where Aston Villa host West Ham in a Premiership team third round encounter. Unai Emery has his squad pushing for European football next season sitting 8th in the league currently. The homeside will be heading into this game with confidence after beating local rivals Leicester 2-1 at the weekend. It looks likely that Ollie Watkins will head the front line for Villa who heads the home side’s top scorer table with 8 goals this season.
West Ham sitting in 13th in the league will be looking to regain some form having lost their last two league games 0-5 Liverpool and more recently 4-1 away at Man City. Both teams have great attacking options but have struggled defensively this season. Villa have managed just one clean sheet in 13 league matches albeit unbeaten in 10 matches at Villa Park.
Unai Emery’s men have won four of their last five home games with impressive victories over Man City and Brentford. This Cup tie promises to be an end to end encounter so we can see there being no shortage of goals. Once again, I can personally see the most value in Aston Villa to win and both teams to score which is top priced at 9/4 with American betting sites for UK players.
Current betting:
Gambling Sites Without Verification: Aston Villa 4/6, West Ham 10/3 and the Draw 3/1 Kick Off 8pm.
Independent Betting Sites: Aston Villa 7/10, West Ham 10/3 and the Draw 27/10 Kick Off 8pm.
Good luck with your predictions and keep a lookout for our preview of Saturday and Sunday’s matches.
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