Southend can cage the Tigers

One of the more intriguing FA Cup games is the game from Spotland where Rochdale play host to Sheffield Wednesday. Dale are going well in League Two this season and sit second behind Scunthorpe. At home they have won ten of their last 13 in all competitions including a 2-0 victory over Leeds in the previous round and you can side with Rochdale at 12/5 (bet365). Wednesday are in excellent form themselves and have gone seven games unbeaten. You can back the Owls at 7/5 (BETVICTOR) while the draw is a very real option at 5/2 (TOTESPORT/betfred). Both teams are packed with scoring talent so the best way to play this might be the YES in both teams to score at 4/5 (SKYBET/STAN JAMES). Southampton will be happy with the draw having been handed a home tie to a Yeovil side who will be more concerned with staying in the Championship than a run in the FA Cup. I think Saints should hae few problems though odds of 3/10 (CORAL/william hill) offer no appeal. You could consider enhancing this with a half time/full time bet at 31/40 (BETVICTOR) or Saints to win to nil is 5/4 (SKYBET). Those who think the Glovers can spring the shock can get them at 12/1 (bet365) with the same firm 11/2 the draw.

A run of just one win from their last nine games has seen Hull find themselves in relegation trouble and an FA Cup run is probably the last thing on the mind of Steve Bruce. The Tigers then could find themselves vulnerable to an upset at Roots Hall. Southend are managed by former Hull boss Phil Brown who will have marked this game as one his side can win. Brown will have his players fired up for a little revenge on the club who sacked him in the Premier League. I think the Shrimpers can get something from this game and will back them to do so alongside the draw in the double chance market at odds of 20/19 (888 SPORT/unibet). Southend are unbeaten in their last seven at home having won five of these including a 4-1 victory over Millwall in the previous round.

Sunderland have already booked one place at Wembley this season with their penalty heroics against Man United in the League Cup on Wednesday night. It was a deserved win for the Black Cats who took the game to the Red Devils and got their reward. The Black Cats switch from the role of David to Goliath now when they face non-league Kidderminster. Sunderland should win though with a few tired legs I would not want to take the 3/10 (GENERAL) that they do. A better bet then might be the 5/1 (betfred/william hill) that Michael Gash nets at anytime. The Kidderminster man has six in his last ten and three in the last three FA Cup games. I think he might get some freedom against a tired Sunderland side who have kept just three clean sheets at home all season and shipped a goal to Carlisle in round three.

The defending champions Wigan are at home to Crystal Palace as they look to bounce back from a 3-0 loss at Doncaster last time out. The Latics have drawn four of their last seven and with Tony Pulis liking to keep things tight the draw is an option here at 5/2 (GENERAL) while a Wigan win is 23/20 (bet365) and Palace are 11/4 (BETVICTOR).

The live game in the evening (17:30, BT SPORT) is between Stevenage and Everton and the League One side are 11/1 (bet365) to shock the Premier League side. I can not see this happening though as Roberto Martinez side are a high quality outfit with just one defeat from their last 16 games. The game might represent a chance to give Aiden McGeady a run out and the Irish winger is a reasonable 3/1 (GENERAL) to score at anytime.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Southend/draw double chance v Hull, 20/19 (888 SPORT/unibet)
SILVER: Wigan and Palace to end in a draw, 5/2 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Michael Gash to score anytime v Sunderland, 5/1 (betfred/WILLIAM HILL)

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25/01/2014     © Frixo 2026