THE major issue punters will have to factor in this weekend are the FA Cup first-round matches.
League One, League Two and National League sides are joined by extreme minnows such as Salford City, FC United and Didcot Town, the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament.
As you know I've been studying stats in the RFO and there's a good article from Kevin Pullein pointing out goals is the way to go in the first round. We probably knew that but he backs it with stats including the fact first-round games have averaged three goals a game from 1995 up to last season.
That compares to 2.8 for rounds two to four and 2.7 for rounds five and six. He also points out the highest scores came not surprisingly when League One sides entertain non-league teams. The average rises to 3.7 goals and away from home it's 3.3.
Sheffield Utd, Port Vale, Millwall, Doncaster and Crewe are the League One sides at home to non-league opposition this weekend while Barnsley, Bradford, Chesterfield, Colchester and Shrewsbury are on their travels. Statistically these are the games you should focus on for goals and I'll post an over 2.5 goals FA Cup accumulator on Friday night.
As far as WDW bets I've put together my Saturday Super Single shortlist. This is taken from my first serious look at the card and checking only form and stats – not team news.
All selections are close to or above evens – and comments on why sides should be in or out will be appreciated as well as your own selections.
Super Single shortlist
MANSFIELD v Oldham
PLYMOUTH v Carlisle
LEICESTER v Watford
Sunderland v SOUTHAMPTON
Charlton v SHEFF WED
QPR v Preston
HEARTS v Hamilton
Raith v FALKIRK
Brechin v AYR UTD
Elgin v ANNAN
What about just..Cummings to score?? Becoming a habit!
mr f . on the 1. 0 teams in cup games may be worth a go 9 folds 10 fold at. £1. stake 11
over 2.5 goals . will give it a go as a fun bet
. k .pullien deffenetly the % man got his book .was a good read .
Qpr for me. but then i fancy Newcastle and Sunderland So u may want to rule out Qpr ha ha
Gillingham at Stevenage
Its a good solid list there Mr F. Think there’s an array of SS this weekend. Alves Gills at Stevenage is a good shout, as is Newport at Brackley. But MANSFIELD must have a good chance
Jamie vardy anytime evs
Cummings anytime 6/5
Double pays 3.4/1 at 365 may get better elsewhere
Don’t usually post in the footy bit, but HUGE double for me Saturday Gillingham away to a crap Stevenage side and Coventry at home to a Northampton side in chaos.
Gillingham 10/11
Coventry 4/6
Seen these prices in coral shop.
I’ve had my eye on Leicester since Tuesday. I can’t see goal-scrooges Watford getting anything at Filbert Street (or whatever it’s called now) The odds have been hovering around the below evens mark for the home win, presently 20/23 coral, 4/5 ladbrokes (5/6 yesterday at ladbrokes) and bet365 (4/5) etc. Really surprised at the quite generous prices on offer to be honest. Apart from the Man Utd/WBA fixture, Leicester seems to me to be one of the more clear-cut games in a dodgy looking Premiership card. I’ve had a look at the injury situation, just in case I’ve missed something, and there’s nothing to be worried about where Leicester is concerned. I’m getting down the high street today and nabbing Leicester while the odds are still reasonable.
stagger, I like Leicester but Watford in decent form and of course mugged Stoke on the road.
Yes, Leicester are a bit leaky at home (10 conceded in 5) but I’m still on them despite Watford winning their last two, including Stoke away as you say.
I was reading a good write up on the FA Cup by Mark Langdon in this week’s RFO, particularly re the Coventry/Northampton encounter. As stated below it only clocks in at about 4/7 for the Sky Blues win but added to ORIENT/Staines and CAMBRIDGE/Basingstoke (also recommended) the treble racks up to nearly 2/1.
Will you still be putting up “doubles” and even “trebles” as the main nap, Mr F? I know some people expect the SS to be just that (one selection) but personally I don’t have a problem with a 2 or 3-legged main nap if the odds are decent. Of course, some will point to the Top Treble for 3-legged bets but then will moan that under 2/1 is not enough for a traditional treble. I see nothing wrong then in sticking up two or three selections at lower but still decent odds as the “Super Single” or main nap as I like to call it.
What do you think of that, Mr F? Thanks.
Not sure I agree with the QPR Preston pick. Watched Preston on tuesday and they were organised with men behind ball and withstood pressure. Preston also not letting goals in. QPR not really firing on all cylinders either.
I think a draw or preston win more likely
QPR is risky due to managerial changes….
It could mean they romp home or are is disarray – I can’t pick that as a super single for those reasons……
Cautious Col, to be honest the change of manager is one reason I out QPR in there – teams usually get a lift with players suddenly having to impress a new man. But it’s a shortlist and at the moment I won’t be picking QPR as my first choice.
Jamie Vardy(Leicester)to score 6/5 @bwin v Watford.Been backing him to score for weeks now!Will keep the faith!
I did my picks yesterday and had QPR, Sheff Wed and Ipswich, think with what happened yesterday its hard to say how QPR will respond so Sheff wed or Ipswich for me. I know Ipswich aint exactly been pulling up trees recently but got back to winning ways at weekend and whilst they have lost 4 of their 9 away this season 2 of them were Reading and Man Utd. Rotherham are just a mess and the appointment of Readfearn aint exactly changed their fortunes with 1 pt since her arrived a month ago
Gillingham to BT Stevenage 10/11corals
Coventry look a solid bet – a bit skinny at 4/7 but worth putting in the mix
As for QPR Mr F – I understand your logic and could well happen, but still a risk…..it is like saying Villa have a lot better chance vs City due to new managerial appointment – that’s another match I won’t touch with a barge pole as its has too many unknowns to risk.
Cautious Col, Coventry too short for the SS but could feature somewhere.
Leicester to win and over 1.5 goals looks a great price
11/10
Various
Ipswich 11/8 away at bottom of the table Rotherham with b365
Really good stats in the write up there Mr F. I’ll definitely be doing a few combination o2.5 bets using those league one v non league games.
done the 6 sat games div 1 FA cup
sheff utd Millwall Doncaster
Crewe Barnsley Colchester
ov 2.5
20 on b365 returns 484.83.
good return for a fun bet.
shop bet . sheff utd millwall colchester
ov 2.5.
Some early BTTS to consider
Marseille Nice
St.Johnstone Kilmarnock
Bayern München VfB Stuttgart
Roma Lazio
Dundee Partick Thistle
Gateshead Southport
Stoke City Chelsea
Southampton 2+ – 5/6
NEC Nijmegen 2+ – 1/2
3 Points Double
Goodluck !!!
BTTS
West Ham v Everton – 4/7
Barcelona v Villareal – 5/6
3 Points Double
Goodluck !!!
Like the HEARTS pick Mr F. Maybe a little bit skinny for a super single but ST JOHNSTONE at home to killie is 8/11 with Coral. Fancy both home wins.
Beware of backing against Watford.
A lot of burnt fingers due to them.
It’s not the same team that got promoted.
My tip: Gills at Stevenage and Sheff Wed at Charlton .
Come on !!
Leicester v watford
Leicester to win from behind 9/1
Seems to happen every week so why not !!
inform eastleigh away at poor crewe team 3/1 worth a dabble..
Watford is a decent team. They have only lost once away this season. I could see them getting something at Leicester.
Likely to score13/10 bet365 Has scored 6 in 6 against West Ham
Sorry Lukaku to score.
At a quick glance and going with gut feelings…
TORINO v Inter 7/4
Reims v AJACCIO 15/4
Marseille v NICE… DNB 12/5(Win 4/1)
Apologies NICE are Sunday
got milwall, walsall, accrington at touch over 3/1
coventry, gillingham, fulham btts, walsall, charlton btts at touch over 16/1
had a quick peak at form and divisions. not that its done me any good recently ;)