Saturday’s Top Tips: Make a B-Line for Cup Treble

FA Cup Third Round is as much a banana skin for punters as it is for the clubs involved. There's a lot of teams at pretty short prices but they won't all win so tread carefully.

Stand out tie of the day is the Tyne-Wear derby between Sunderland and Newcastle at lunchtime.

Newcastle have won just one of their last eight matches and have been awful away from home whilst Michael Beale is just in the door at Sunderland and will see this as a perfect opportunity to quickly win round a sceptical fanbase.

The match has already attracted attention after Sunderland decked out the bar in the away end in Newcastle banners before apologising to their fans and removing them in quick time.

Eddie Howe has presided over two Third Round exits as Newcastle boss with defeats to Cambridge United and Sheffield Wednesday. Overall, Howe has won just one of his last seven ties in the competition.

The Black Cats are 3/1 to triumph and claim the bragging rights whilst it's 8/11 for Newcastle's top flight quality to prevail. The draw at 10/3 isn't the worst option.

Bournemouth should be too good for QPR who are struggling in the Championship. Rangers have an abysmal record in the competition. They’ve been knocked out at the Third Round stage on 51 occasions – more than any other club. And an early exit looks on the cards again today.

Brighton should also be in the Fourth Round by tea-time assuming Roberto De Zerbi takes things seriously with his team selection. The Seagulls are at Stoke who’s only win 12 has come against Birmingham. There’s been seven draws in that run but the Premier League side should enjoy their day at the Bet365 Stadium.

The Brighton / Bournemouth Double pays 6/5 at Bet365.

Blackburn should also secure a safe route to the next round with a win over Cambridge United.

A victory is long-over due for Rovers who desperately need something to kickstart their season. They’ve been active in the transfer market already and have a great opportunity to claim a win against a U’s side that won just one of 11 away from home in League One.

Adding them to the Double makes it a 21/10 “B” Treble.

If you’re looking for an upset then how about Gillingham to topple Sheffield Utd?

The Blades are rooted to the bottom of the Premier League and look like they’ve forgotten how to win this season. League Two Gillingham are 10th but have won seven of 13 at home and although they don’t score many (they’re the lowest scorers in the division) they don’t concede too many either, keeping four clean sheets in their last six.

It could be a tight one and The Gills are 9/2 to nick it.

Or how about AFC Wimbledon at 4/1 to trouble Ipswich?

There's plenty of FA Cup heritage attached to the Wombles and they could fancy a bit of scalp against the Tractor Boys who haven't recovered from a 2-2 draw in the Old Farm Derby against Norwich. The wobble has extended to five matches without a win now.

Wimbledon have only lost one of their last eight in all competitions and have won seven of their last eight at Plough Lane so it won't be a walk in the park for the visitors.

Portsmouth continue to lead the way in League One and the 4/5 on them winning at second bottom Cheltenham looks too good to pass up.

In League Two new Salford City boss Karl Robinson can hit the ground running with a home win over bottom side Forest Green at 11/8.

On the Scottish Championship Inverness appear to have lost their way after a promising start under Duncan Ferguson. They’re now eight without a win and face a long trek to Aryshire today.

Ayr United aren’t exactly flying themselves but they’ve scored seven in their last four games although surprisingly they’ve managed just seven at home all season.

They’re 11/8 to win today and the same price to score two or more.

Super Singles

• Portsmouth 4/5 Bet365
• Salford City 11/8 Bet365
• Ayr Utd to score 2+ 11/8 Bet365

FA Cup Treble

• Brighton, Bournemouth & Blackburn to win
• Treble pays 21/10 Bet365

Cup Upset Double

• AFC Wimbledon & Gillingham to win
• Double pays 27/1 at Bet365

Upcoming Match Previews & Tips

• FA Cup: AFC Wimbledon vs Ipswich, Rochdale vs Kidderminster, Peterborough vs Leeds
• Scottish Tips: Best Bets at Morton, Dumbarton & Stenhousemuir
• Scottish Football: Super Singles and McBookie Bet Builder
• SlipsTips Tips: Stenhousemuir vs Forfar
• Football Bet of the Day: Clyde to Continue to be Involved in High-Scorers
• Saturday’s Goals Accumulator Tips: Today’s 8/1 Both Teams to Score & Total Team Goals Acca
• Sat 12:45 Sunderland vs Newcastle United
• Sat 15:00 Middlesbrough vs Aston Villa
• Sat 15:00 QPR vs AFC Bournemouth
• Sat 15:00 Stoke City vs Brighton & Hove Albion
• Sat 17:30 Chelsea vs Preston North End
• Sun 14:00 Manchester City vs Huddersfield Town
• Sun 14:00 Nottingham Forest vs Blackpool
• Sun 14:00 West Ham United vs Bristol City
• Sun 14:00 Luton Town vs Bolton Wanderers
• Sun 16:30 Arsenal vs Liverpool
• Mon 20:15 Wigan Athletic vs Manchester United

Racing Tips

Wincanton is the course for all three of Rizzel's Saturday selections.

• Racing tips: Quriky Don't Rightly Know deserves another chance after recent odds-on defeat

As always, post your betting tips for today in the comments section below.

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