FA Cup Betting Preview (Round 1)

The biggest domestic cup competition in football kicks off this weekend. The FA Cup first round proper is world famous and the prestige attached to it gives it a special feeling for every team involved, especially the non-league minnows that will be looking to cause an upset over the weekend.

The Premiership and Championship big guns don't get involved until the third round proper so there's no danger of embarrassing high profile exits just yet. There are some interesting ties though involving teams that should expect to progress reasonably far in this competition. Nottingham Forest host non-league side Yeading at the City Ground (kick off 3pm Saturday) in a tie, which on paper they should win comfortably but English cup competitions have a funny way of surprising people. Forest were embarrassed earlier this season when they were defeated by Accrington Stanley in the Carling Cup so it is possible for Yeading to cause an upset here. The Reds do have some good news ahead of this game as striker Nathan Tyson could make his first start since the season opener, which should provide some important fire power to the home side's attack. Yeading will be without their skipper, Nevin Saroya, who is suspended but Nathan Bowden-Haase has been cleared from suspension and is available to play. Forest are the overwhelming favourites for this tie at an incredibly short priced 1/5 with bluesq and Stan James. Yeading do provide terrific value at 16/1 with Ladbrokes and the draw is reasonable value at 11/2 with VC Bet.

Two of the top teams currently in the competition play each other over the weekend as former Premiership side Bradford City host Crewe Alexandra. Colin Healy has joined the Bantams on loan and could go straight into the side for this tie if star striker Marc Bridge-Wilkinson fails to shake off his injury. For Crewe, Danny O'Donnell has been given permission to play by Liverpool, who have loaned him out for the season but Blackburn have said Andrew Taylor can't play for The Alex in this tie. The betting is incredibly tight with the home side getting the nod as nominal favourites, priced at 5/4 with Bluesq. Crewe are 9/4 with Premier Bet and the draw is priced at 23/10 with extrabet.

There are many games going on over the weekend with plenty of interest all across the country. It's an extra special weekend for many non-league teams, who for many, this will be there cup final. For the likes of Tamworth, Weymouth and Crawley progressing through the two opening rounds could be the difference between survival and collapsing; the potential of a third round money-spinner against one of the big boys could just be the motivation they need to cause an upset this weekend.

The betting for the FA Cup overall is interesting; Chelsea are the understandable 10/3 favourites, which is pretty short given the amount of teams in the competition and given the history of the tournament in producing shock results and fairytale stories. Last seasons winners Liverpool are 13/2 with Sky Bet, which makes them the third favourites for the tournament behind second favourites Manchester United who are priced at 5/1 with bluesq and UK Betting. Last seasons runners up West Ham United are massive value at 50/1 with VC Bet. Alan Pardew's side are really struggling this season in the Premiership but their cup history is great and you never know in this competition – anything can happen, that's the magic of the FA Cup.

Below is a selection of this weekend's FA Cup fixtures:

Barrow v Bristol Rovers
Bradford v Crewe
Brighton v Northwich
Chesterfield v Basingstoke
Clevedon Town v Chester
Farsley Celtic v Milton Keynes Dons
Gainsborough v Barnet
Gillingham v Bromley
Huddersfield v Blackpool
Lewes v Darlington
Newport County v Swansea
Nottingham Forest v Yeading
Salisbury v Fleetwood Town
Torquay v Leatherhead
Tranmere v Woking
Weymouth v Bury
Wrexham v Stevenage

Good luck with your selections!

Ed note: Make you FA Cup Round 1 and other football bets at Ladbrokes

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