The FA Cup first round always throws up some wonderful team names (congratulations to 2020’s best Tonbridge Angels), ramshackle old grounds and baying mobs from small towns getting beered up and sticking it to their fancy dan professional opponents.
This year is, of course, a little different with the underdogs not having their boisterous supporters on side and in the faces of their opponents. However, the carrot that is more tempting than ever for these smaller clubs is the absolutely essential prize money that’s on the line. 2020’s playing field is made even more uneven than ever because the professional EFL clubs have, in many cases, played up to six more competitive games than the non-league representatives. So, let’s get stuck in and try and find some value across this weekend’s games.
Saturday 3pm: Cheltenham v South Shields – Cheltenham To Win to Nil
Cheltenham have been having a solid season, sitting sixth in the fourth tier with six wins, one draw and four losses after 11 games. They’re on 19 points and occupy a playoff spot in League Two.
They take on South Shields from the Northern Premier League on Saturday and will be expecting easy progress against the Tyne and Wear team who face an away day of the likes they will rarely experience (a nine hour round trip with a fair wind). The away side have played nine, won four, drawn three and lost two so far.
This is one of the biggest differentials in league position on display this weekend and with that valuable prize money on offer we’re expecting the EFL sides selected in this four fold to field strong teams and try and bring in some much-needed cash. Five of Cheltenham’s six League Two wins have come to Nil and there’s no reason not to expect that to happen here on Saturday.
Saturday 5.30pm: FC United Of Manchester v Doncaster – Doncaster To Win to Nil
Next up is an even bigger gulf in league position as League One’s 9th-placed side Doncaster head to Red Devils rebels FC United Of Manchester under the gaze of the BBC Two cameras on Saturday night. If the Beeb are hoping for an upset here they might be barking up the wrong tree.
FC United are down in 13th in the Northern Premier League with two wins, four draws and one defeat from their league fixtures so far.
Saturday 5.30pm: FC United v Doncaster
BBC Two and BBC iPlayer
They’ve scored nine and conceded seven in their league matches so far, but the club, founded in 2005 as a protest to the Glazers taking over Manchester United, haven’t faced a club near Doncaster’s class since losing to Brighton (then of League One) in this competition over a decade ago.
Donny have conceded 11 goals in 10 League One games this season and simply will have too much class for FC United of the 7th tier. Darren Moore’s men recorded an impressive 1-0 win over Lincoln last Saturday and with some good value on offer here, we’re backing Doncaster to Win to Nil again.
Sunday 12.45pm: Barnet v Burton – Burton to Win
Both Barnet and Burton have had disappointing starts to their respective campaigns with the Bees down in 15th in the National League and The Brewers second bottom of League One. Both have shown slight signs of improvement in recent weeks and both will think their opponents might have enough weaknesses for them to progress.
Sunday 12.45pm: Barnet v Burton
BBC iPlayer and BBC Sport Website
Burton have tightened up at the back recently after conceding 13 goals in their opening five league fixtures. Since then they shipped seven in the next six and they have remained fairly steady in front of goal, scoring 13 goals in 11. With a bit more defensive improvement you feel they would be getting better results and what an opportunity they have to get that winning feeling against a side struggling two divisions below them. We’re backing Burton to Win.
Sunday 2.30pm: Eastbourne v Blackpool – Blackpool To Win to Nil
This seaside skirmish throws up another contest in which we’re backing the bigger boys to get it done easily as Blackpool make the long journey south to East Sussex to face Eastbourne. Borough are representing the National League South, the sixth tier of English football.
The ‘Pool are 12th in League One with 13 points from 11 games with four wins, one draw and six losses. Eastbourne sit 6th in their league with three wins, one draw and one loss from their five games, giving them a total of 10 points.
Sunday 2.30pm: Barnet v Burton
BT Sport 1
Blackpool are a solid-enough team in the third tier of the English football pyramid and should be more than capable of rolling over their opponents in front of the BT Sport cameras on Sunday afternoon.
We’re backing Blackpool To Win To Nil here to round up a trio of easy victories, and perhaps a slightly tougher one for Burton, in our big-value FA Cup 4 fold.
Tips for this weekend’s FA Cup clashes
Saturday 3pm: Cheltenham v South Shields – Cheltenham To Win to Nil
Saturday 5.30pm: FC Utd Manchester v Doncaster – Doncaster To Win to Nil
Sunday 12.45pm: Barnet v Burton – Burton to Win
Sunday 2.30pm: Eastbourne v Blackpool – Blackpool To Win to Nil
*All odds correct at time of publication and they’re always bang on with out clever betting widgets
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