With the magic of the FA Cup, no less than five Premier League sides will exit the competition by its conclusion. The third round should produce some goals for the backers of the over line and we have three games, where three or more goals is on our radar.
Brentford Vs Walsall
Sean O Driscoll’s Walsall will embark on Griffin park, where the promotion chasers from League one will look to cause an upset in West London this weekend.
Looking at the form, Walsall, sitting in third place has won six of the last ten, with two draws and two losses. Their last loss was a three-nil drubbing to playoff contenders Rochdale last weekend. In comparison Brentford, sitting pretty in mid table in the Championship have won just four of the last ten, but have suffered just two defeats.
Dean Smith’s Brentford fans has certainly entertained fans attending with goals at Griffin Park with ten from twelve game seeing at least two goals, and seven from twelve with three in the game. Walsall’s total goal tendencies on the road have resulted in one game fewer than half of all results on the road.
O’Driscoll’s men have failed to net just once on the road this season, and will want to cause an underdog upset when they visit Griffin Park, where they have lost just once on the road all season. Both sides will want to avoid an unnecessary replay, which will only clog the fixture list up further, thus settling this at the weekend will be a priority. With half of Walsall games seeing both sides setting, I am confident that the head to head on this fixture should be increasingly focussed on this competition and the prize at stake.
Walsall looking to overturn last weekend’s defeat can reign supreme showing some resilience. With Brentford’s free scoring, but leaky defence has resulted in an average of two and three quarter match goal average at home. The game not to see goals would be a surprise, as Walsall are the underdog, and can show their League one promotion chasing form. This is against a side, who are within touching distance of the Championship play offs.
Goals are a must here, and I would rather be on three or more goals at 5/6 than the home side at the same price!
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 4/5
Eastleigh Vs Bolton
The conference side have an excellent opportunity to scalp a struggling Championship side at the root of the table, with countless issues!
Eastleigh, next door to neighbouring Southampton have the pleasure of hosting Neil Lennon’s Bolton outfit to Ten Acres, and chasing to secure their unbeaten run consisting of five in the Conference. Chris Todd’s Eastleigh have looked an impressive outfit emerging from the roots of the Non-League football pyramid to sit in fourth place in the National League.
The home side will be glad to finally be playing an FA cup tie at home, with all three of this season’s successes reigning on the road. The most profile of the three victories came at the expense of Crewe. Todd’s Eastleigh will fancy the giant killing and are of no shortage of goals netting forty-four in twenty-six matches in the league. In defence the south coast outfit has conceded on average over a goal a game.
Bolton in comparison mustering up just two victories this season are destined for relegation as it stands, but can use the FA Cup to distract their attention from the domestic league. Neil Lennon’s men have netted just nineteen goals. On the road Bolton have conceded twenty-five in twelve games and will have a conference side fearless breaking down their defence.
Eastleigh have a lower league hotshot at their disposal, James Constable, who has been around for a while netting eleven this season. You may recognise the name, as he featured in Oxford’s reign back to the football league and contributed for six seasons.
With no fear, the home side will be contenders for the upset, with Bolton able to side line current form with a win here. Both have seen three of the last six head over, but with a fourth round tie at stake for both, Eastleigh’s attacking style should see this home, causing a reaction from Bolton. At best price 10/11 with Hills, this in my view is less of a coin toss chance of fewer than three goals.
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 17/20
Colchester Vs Charlton
Both sides are at the wrong end of League one and the Championship respectively, as Kevin Keen looks to stun caretaker boss Karel Fraeye’s Charlton at the Weston Homes Community Stadium this weekend.
Colchester’s home form has resulted in four losses, a draw and one win in the last six, with the Addicks having an identical stat. Goal wise, five of the last six Colchester home goals have seen three or more goals, with all six seeing two or more. Charlton‘s away losses have all seen heavy defeats with three of the last six all over two goals.
With a place in the fourth round at stake, I see both teams scoring with confidence, but also Keen’s Colchester to demonstrate their attacking style to blast through the Charlton defence. Both have priorities to survive in the league but both can use this tie as a basis of rebuilding some form!
Bookmakers are hedging slightly in favour of goals in this one with a general 4/5 available for three or more goals. With all three games struck together, you will get at least 5/1 for the treble if you fancy it.
Recommendation
Over 2.5 goals – 4/5
All bets are advised as singles. However if you’re interested in the treble a £20 stake would return £120
