FA Cup Odds: The two best draws in the draw

Euro 2012 / Hannah Duncan / 09 November 2011 / Leave a Comment

The Shay, where Halifax Town will be trying to earn a replay or better against Charlton

"The draw is 4.6 with Betfair and while the prospect of a return trip to the Valley could well send the Shaymen in search of last-minute own goals is well worth considering, the best odds can be found in the half-time/full-time market."

Whilst England entertain Spain and the Republic of Ireland try to qualify for Euro 2012, lesser known teams and players try to make a name for themselves in the first round of the FA Cup. Here are two nicely-priced draws worth considering, says Hannah Duncan.

With international friendlies taking over the football calendar again this weekend, it provides another opportunity for both Non-League Day and the FA Cup to entice football fans nationwide off their sofas and out onto the terraces. And here at Betfair, it's no different.

I'll be looking at the best odds the First Round (proper) of the FA Cup has to offer plus the best options from the world of Non-League. So if you've had enough of Poppy-Gate, Racism-Gate and How-Many-Will-England-Get-Tonked-By-Gate, then this is the place for you.

In non-league's top-flight, Ebbsfleet United host Stockport County, who have found themselves in the news this week following the departure of former Liverpool midfielder Dietmar Hamann from the managerial hot-seat.

Both sides have had a turbulent start to the campaign, with just five and three wins from 19 games respectively. United have found it difficult to maintain any sort of consistency at Stonebridge Road, with their results on the road keeping them out of the drop zone. Stockport, meanwhile, have only won once away from home this campaign, but with seven stalemates on their travels, they could prove tricky to break down.
The draw is currently [3.45] with Betfair and that certainly looks the way to go based on the form of both sides.

If you're looking to branch out from just the result, neither side have been blessed with high-scoring thrillers this season, with both averaging well under a goal a game in each of the goals for and against columns. Betfair currently have an under 2.5 goals punt at [2.2] and although the return isn't massive, a result should be fairly secure.

This weekend also sees the FA Cup properly kick into action, as League One and Two sides join the non-league survivors and get their Cup campaigns underway, with some tasty fixtures to sink your teeth into.

Friday night brings an all-Conference tie, as third-placed Cambridge United host league-leaders Wrexham, kick-off 19:45.

Cambridge are the favourites for the win at [2.56], but Wrexham's strong away form means it could be a very tight affair.

It's all-square in the games lost column at three apiece, with United losing just one home league match this season, and Wrexham losing just the one on the road.
The pair played out a 1-1 stalemate at the Racecourse Ground back in August, as Cambridge snatched an added-time equaliser. The draw is [3.4] with Betfair and with such close statistics, it looks the way to go once again.

To keep the excitement going all weekend, there are also Sunday fixtures which may grab your interest. League One leaders Charlton Athletic travel to FC Halifax Town of the Blue Square Bet North, live on ITV1 (kick-off 12:30). The Addicks have only lost once all season in the league and have been especially formidable away from home, winning seven of their nine games on the road.

And whilst to the rational-thinking football fan it may appear that Halifax, 82 league places below their visitors, have no chance of a result, never underestimate the old 'magic of the FA Cup' and the power of the underdog...or the power of the cliché for that matter.

The draw is [4.6] with Betfair and while the prospect of a return trip to the Valley could well send the Shaymen in search of last-minute own goals is well worth considering, the best odds can be found in the half-time/full-time market. A punt on Charlton/Halifax is at [70.0], while the reverse could still see a good return at [27.0].