IT’S the FA Cup – but not as we know it.
Going by line-ups fielded in the third round the tournament’s status is at its lowest.
Some Premier League clubs fielded their reserves and Under-23s and most others went half strength.
Even the bulk of the lower-league sides made multiple changes to make it tough for punters.
Watford for example made 11 changes from Tuesday as they crashed out to League One Tranmere after extra time in Thursday’s replay.
Nothing much will change this weekend although a handful of managers are making noises about a cup run – the likes of Newcastle’s Steve Bruce, Burnley’s Sean Dyche and Leicester’s Brendan Rodgers.
Leicester, however, could have one eye on the midweek EFL Cup semi-final at Aston Villa so it’s impossible how many changes Rodgers will make for alunchtime trip to Championship promotion chasers Brentford.
The tea-time kick-off sees Chelsea travel to Championship Hull who have lost back-to-back games 1-0.
Blues boss Frank Lampard made nine changes for the defeat of Nottm Forest in the previous round and he has some strength in depth.
Callum Hudson-Odoi, Ross Barkley, Michy Batshuayi and Mason Mount are among the likely starters and while Chelsea are fine on accas at 1-2 with Coral I’m on them -1 at 13-10 with Paddy Power.
Batshuayi would be first choice for most teams and with Tammy Abrahams injured he has a chance to impress. Back him to score first at 22-5 with Unibet.
Mid-table Burnley beat Man United at Old Trafford in midweek and should consider themselves safe from the drop. They entertain mid-table Norwich and could make fewer changes than the Canaries.
Take Burnley to progress at evens with Betfred and if he starts back hotshot Gary Wood to score first at 5-1 with Unibet.
For me it’s three down from the bottom six in the Premier League so that excludes Newcastle who continue to surprise. Steve Bruce’s injury-hit squad showed their fighting spirit by scoring two injury-time goals in a 2-1 midweek draw at Everton.
As a Geordie Bruce understands fans’ hunger for a cup run and fielded a strong side in the previous round against Rochdale.
League One Oxford will give it a go but I’m on Newcastle at 4-9 with Ladbrokes. Rochdale netted at St James’so don’t rule out an away strike and consider Newcastle and both to score at 2-1 with bet365.
Southampton could take care of Spurs if they go strong and likewise I’d back West Ham at home to Championship leaders West Brom but for both I want to see line-ups.
West Brom lost at home to Stoke on Monday and Michael O’Neill’s side are involved in the only Championship game at home to Swansea.
Stoke are slowly heading up the table and have beaten the Swans in four out of five at home. They can edge this at 11-10 with Unibet.
In League One Burton are one of the form sides with five wins in six. Their only defeat was at Accrington but they should wreak revenge against a side that’s lost four out of five. Nigel Clough’s men are 21-20 with BetVictor.
best bets in League Two could be Exeter at home to Colchester. Exeter are going for five wins in a row and are 6-5 at Marathonbet.
Recommended Bets
- Chelsea -1 (13-10, Paddy Power)
- Burnley (Evens, Betfred)
- Newcastle & Btts (2-1, bet365)
- Stoke (11-10, Unibet)
- Burton (21-20, BetVictor)
- Exeter (6-5, Marathonbet)
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