I absolutely adore round’s one and two of the FA Cup, especially the first round proper. I generally see a few shocks on the cards, some forced replays and some goals! Elsewhere we have a full Premier League and Championship coupon!
Wealdstone Raiders Vs Colchester
We suspect Gordon Hill AKA the Wealdstone Raider, who became an Internet sensation in 2013 will be cheering his home side on.
Seeing the footage gives you an idea of the venue Colchester will be travelling to. The hosts are in great form with wins in all of the last six. Colchester’s form has seen their last six results with one poultry victory. Whether or not the National League South side are able to pull off the victory remains to be seen result wise. Tony Humes Colchester will want to avert a fourth straight away defeat.
The quality of game play in the lower leagues can be scrappy with the ball being hoofed and defensive errors. I have seen plenty of lower league action in my time and there is no doubt Colchester should be the favourites.
Goals will be on the agenda in this one as the visitors have had five of the last six end with three or more goals. This run ended last weekend where Colchester lost 2-0 to Doncaster. Colchester will make the shorter trip to Wealdstone, which they have seen plenty of goals at home. Five of their last six have all gone three or more goals and have netted at least twice in all of the last six.
Wealdstone have goals in them as described above and Colchester have conceded in all of the last six and at 4/5 for three or more is reasonable.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.73
Leyton Orient Vs Staines Town
The League two side come in to this after a good start to their campaign sitting in 7th place. They host Ryman League Premier outfit Staines town in a relatively local affair across the other side of London. Staines have done well to get to this stage beating Gloucester City, a league above them in the last round.
Leyton Orient, strong favourites for the tie, being three tiers above their visitors should win this. Both sides have seen plenty of goals with Orient relying on Jay Simpson, who has netted eleven goals this term.
Nicky Forster’s Staines will cause quite the upset to knock out the League two side, but I cannot see it. I can vision a possible replay, although the gaming quality will be apparent on the day. In addition fitness will be a factor, where you should expect Orient to be more match fit due to their competitiveness of their league.
Five of the last six Staines games have all headed past the two goal mark, with three of the last six Orient games.
Staines main scoring threats, Pat Cox and Jack Hutchinson have both never experienced playing for football league sides, but will be keen to get on the scoreboard. The hunger from the Ryman Premier side to cause the upset will give them the nothing to lose attitude. I do expect the tie to see goals, as Orient will need to look at getting back to winning ways, after just two victories in the last six.
Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.63
Leicester Vs Watford
The foxes come into this after yet another comeback special to win at West Brom last weekend. Both sides are no strangers of one another having played many times in the second tier. Leicester’s Jamie Vardy equalled the record of consecutive games scoring and joined this elite club last weekend.
One stat to mention is that Leicester has conceded in four of their five home games this season. In addition eight from eleven foxes games have all ended with three or more goals in the game. City has equated to averaging four goals a game at home this season, whereas Watford have averaged 2.6 goals on the road this season.
Leicester has a leaky defence and have plenty of scoring power and resilience. With just one defeat on the road in five, Watford have a better than average away record. Watford are a more conservative side but think when they play against the style of the Foxes in front of their King Power Stadium home fans they will open up. Watford can see this as a potential result, but with Leicester’s come back style, if Watford takes the lead, the hosts will bite back.
With the stats on side with the host, you may regret overlooking the overwhelming stats with the price available for goals in the game. In addition five of the last six meetings have gone over’s with the goals!
Bet: Over 2.5 goals at 1.8
Bet Summary
Over 2.5 goals at:
Wealdstone
Leyton Orient
Leicester
The treble pays odds of 4/1