FA Cup Third Round - Possible Upsets
Surprisingly, there are no "all Premiership" ties for the third
round and has set up more "Championship vs Premiership" matches
than usual. Championship sides awarded a home tie against
Premiership opposition have a good winning record in recent
seasons and here are a few matches where an "upset" could be on
the cards:
WBA vs Reading @ 3.40 Reading top the Championship table and are
unbeaten away from home this season, winning nine and drawing
five so far. Comparatively, the Baggies are hovering just above
the Premiership relegation zone.
Sheff Wed @ 4.00 vs Charlton Alan Curbishley's side have a
dismal record in the FA Cup against lower opposition, last
season losing to Leicester, 2003/04 losing away at Gillingham
and at home to Walsall in 2001/02. The Owls are finding life in
the Championship tough and will do well to avoid relegation but
a possible cup scalp could provide a welcome distraction.
Norwich @ 2.75 vs West Ham Relegated from the Premiership last
season, Norwich were expected to storm the division and return
to the top flight at the first time of asking. This hasn't
happened but the Canaries are pressing for a play-off place.
West Ham have had a solid season, sitting comfortably in the top
10 after their promotion in May, but will be without the injured
Danny Gabbidon and may find their FA Cup campaign is a short one.
Ipswich @ 3.20 vs Portsmouth Perrenial promotion contenders
Ipswich Town are finding life hard this season and the new
strike pairing of Sam Parkin and Nick Forster have not been
firing on all cylinders. However, they will be up for the visit
of Harry Redknapp's Portsmouth who are in dire straits in the
Premiership and have won just twice on the road this season.
Watford @ 3.40 vs Bolton Watford are mounting a surprise
promotion challenge under new manager Adrian Boothroyd while
Bolton are having another remarkable season and are in touching
distance of a Champions League spot. However, the Trotters do
not have the largest of squads and their extended involvement in
the UEFA Cup may sap energy levels even further.
Hull @ 3.60 vs Aston Villa Hull have found the step up to the
Championship difficult following two successive promotions but
are clear of the relegation places. They have been generally
solid at home while opponents Aston Villa have been diabolical
on their travels, winning just twice in the league and
demolishing Wycombe 8-3 in the Carling Cup.
Millwall @ 4.00 vs Everton After finishing 10th in the
Championship the last two seasons and appearing in the final of
the 2003/04 FA Cup, Millwall find themselves rooted to the
bottom of the table. After last season's heroics, Everton have
themselves under achieved this term and have also flirted with
relegation. Millwall held fellow struggling Birmingham to a 2-2
draw after extra time, losing on penalties, in the Carling Cup
earlier this season and will fancy their chances against the
Toffees.