FA Cup Best Bets Saturday 1st December: Albion To Go For A Burton

What’s that I hear you say? You want an FA Cup special write up because there is no lower league action? Are you sure? Ok…but only because you asked so nicely…

Very little league action this weekend as the FA Cup returns for a host of 2nd round fixtures. I’ve been scouring the games to find some potential value and here’s a nice little treble of cup glory that I fancy this weekend:

Rotherham vs Notts County

While Rotherham may be doing well in League 2, Notts County sit 21 places above them in the league pyramid which can’t be ignored. And a loss at home to struggling Wycombe last week proved that Rotherham are far from unbeatable.

Notts County on the other hand actually are unbeatable. Their last defeat on the road came in February and since then they have picked up 11 wins and 8 draws in away games.

Notts County cruised past Portsmouth in the last round with a comfortable 2-0 away victory and while Rotherham did claim a scalp of League One side Stevenage, I can’t see a repeat of that performance today.

BET: Notts County win @ 6/4 (Bet 365)

Crewe Alexandra vs Burton Albion

After a little bit of a wobble when welcomed to life in League One, Crewe have really started adapting to the higher level of football and have won 4 of their last 5 home games including impressive victories over Swindon and Crawley. They coasted through Round 1 of the FA Cup with a 4-1 thumping of Wycome Wanders.

Burton’s last fixture was actually against Wycombe in the league and they lost 3-0 away from home which clearly highlights the difference between the two sides.

A Crewe side full of confidence at the minute and in great form should easily be able to dispatch a Burton side who need to concentrate on the league at the minute.

BET: Crewe win @ 4/6 (Bet 365)

Carlisle vs Bournemouth

Carlisle survived their 1st round battle with Ebbsfleet thanks to 2 late goals as they walked away 4-2 winners. Though beating a side 2 leagues below you and conceding 2 goals at home can hardly be called an achievement.

Bournemouth met Dagenham & Redbridge in the last round and came away clear 4-0 winners. Now the 2 sides meet a Brunton Park this Saturday in an all League One clash.

Bournemouth have really impressed me this season. Still undefeated since the return of Eddie Howe, their last loss came 10 games ago.

Carlisle on the other hand recorded an impressive victory away from home against Yeovil last week but this is their only win in their last 5 games. They have won 1 game at home this season and sit 18th in League One.

BET: Bourmeouth win @ 5/4