FA Cup Accumulator Tips 4th Jan – Coventry Could Spring A shock

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Betting Tips: Football Accumulator – January 4^th

 FA CUP third round day is always a huge one in the football calendar as the big boys join the fun of the world’s longest running cup competition.

It might not be as glamourised as it once was but the magic of the cup is still alive and kicking. Here’s a couple of selections, along with one from League 2, that we hope will give us a nice return on the first Saturday of 2014.

Barnsley V Coventry City

Every year we see a handful of teams overcome opposition from the division above; this year’s favourites have got to be Coventry.

Coventry’s off the field problems have been well documented but on the pitch they’ve been impressive; if it were not for the reprimands that occurred as a result of their financial troubles then they’d be sitting 5^th in League One.

Despite the 10 point penalty, the Sky Blues could yet be an outside shot for promotion.

Barnsley on the other hand look destined for relegation and can’t buy a win at the moment. In the Championship they are stuck on three wins all season with the latest coming over a month ago. Since then, six matches have resulted in no wins and just three goals.

The Tykes only improvement over recent weeks has been their defence. They’ve conceded six in as many matches but that is still a drastic improvement on the 36 shipped from the previous 18. Unfortunately, Coventry are scoring for fun.

The Sky Blues have scored an incredible 52 times in League One and even though they’ll be playing a team from the Championship, you’d expect them to find the net again at Oakwell. If they do, then the Championship’s bottom side may be heading for an early exit from this year’s FA Cup.

Certainly not a dead certainty but the price is very generous. This is possibly due to the fact the Sky Blues are away, then again they don’t even play their home games in Coventry so this should not impact their chances one bit.

Coventry Win @ 17/10 with Bet 365.

Rochdale v Leeds United

At Spotland, League Two promotion-chasers Rochdale will be looking to cause a giant killing over Leeds United of the Championship.

If Leeds fail to gain promotion to the Premiership this season then it will be a decade since they last boasted the status of being a top-flight club. Regardless of that, the Yorkshiremen are still considered a huge club and the potential to eliminate them will serve as a huge incentive for Rochdale.

[quote_right]Want a huge free bet bonus? Get up to £200 today with Bet365[/quote_right]The Dale are going strong in League 2, currently sitting comfortably in the play-offs and just one point below the automatic promotion places. Their 2014 did not start kind though and a 3-0 loss to Scunthorpe will have dented their confidence ahead of this challenge.

Leeds suffered back-to-back defeats either side of New Year and Brian McDermott will be determined to see his side return to form here. The FA Cup won’t be a priority but for a club of  United’s stature it is still very important to do well. Elimination to a League 2 side would be humiliating.

Dale have scored 35 league goals this season but may find it difficult to break down a side from two divisions above. Worryingly, they’ve conceded 31 in League 2 and Leeds’ strikers will be optimistic of getting on the scoreboard at Spotland.

Expect Rochdale to put of valiant effort, but Leeds superiority should shine through.

Leeds Win @ 5/6 with Bet 365

Newport County v Northampton Town

Seven matches take place in League 2 and Newport County will want to pile the pressure on those teams currently in the play-off zone by beating rock bottom Northampton Town.

None of the four play-off occupants are in league action this Saturday, which presents Justin Edinburgh’s side the chance to jump three places to 5^th. Due to a New Year’s Day postponement, this is effectively a game in hand so if they can get the desired victory then they will be in the play-offs with exactly half a season played -not bad for a side who only gained promotion from the Conference last term.

A defeat last time out at title-chasing Burton ended a six game winning streak that most recently included three straight wins; the Welshman will be confident of getting back to winning ways against the Football League’s 92^nd placed team.

Northampton have been Cobblers this season. Survival is still achievable but whatever happens it has been a disappointing campaign. Seventeen goals scored in 22 matches isn’t anywhere near enough at this level. On their travels it is no win since November 9^th (9 matches) and they’ve mustered a measly one goal in their past six away ties.

Despite being bottom, Northampton tend not to get hammered and keep most games pretty close. Unfortunately they lack something special at both ends of the pitch and ultimately that is leading to their downfall. It’s hard to see them leaving Wales with anything other than another defeat.

Newport County Win @4/5 with Bet 365.

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