FA Cup Betting Previews: Robins can cause minor cup upset

FA Cup / Ian Lamont / 02 December 2011 / Leave a Comment

Swindon boss Paolo Di Canio

"One option is to lay Colchester at [2.54], but I rather fancy Swindon to cause an upset at the first attempt against a team in the division above."

Having defeated the mighty Huddersfield Town in the previous round, Swindon have an excellent chance of adding another League One scalp to their name says Ian Lamont.

Colchester v Swindon, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Colchester [2.52], Swindon [3.1], The Draw [3.4]

Swindon are quite possibly a better outfit now than when relegated from League One last season. They are certainly showing signs that they can mount a promotion challenge in League Two, having risen to sixth. Jake Jervis, on loan from Birmingham, is the latest to earn praise from Paolo Di Canio as he revitalises the Robins, having scored twice last weekend.

Just two defeats in 14 games shows real intent and that certainly includes catching Huddersfield off their guard in the last round. If they can see off a side who were unbeaten all season and challenging for automatic promotion in League One, then mid-table Colchester - even away - will hold no fears. One option is to lay the hosts at [2.54], but I rather fancy Swindon to cause an upset at the first attempt against a team in the division above.

Back Swindon@ [3.1]

Shrewsbury v Rotherham, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Shrewsbury [1.98], Rotherham [4.2], The Draw [3.6]

Graham Turner's hosts might just be able to pinch this tie, but I don't think it is as clear-cut as the odds might suggest - it should be a lot harder to call than that. Up until Rotherham lost at home to Crawley last Saturday, I might have plumped for a draw on recent form, which the Millers had regained. It is easy to see why Shrewsbury are favourites though. Five clean sheets in six games is an excellent record. The two conceded came in one game, a 7-2 win over struggling Northampton. The Shrews seem to have got that consistency I wanted to see out of Mark Wright, who has scored three goals in two games. Their opponents, my sources say, built a run of three draws and three wins on scrappy performances and some fortune, rather than impressive displays.

The Millers certainly pressed Crawley in the first half last weekend, but had little answer once the visitors got used to the open conditions at the Don Valley. Nobody wants a replay there. Both sides earned away wins at non-league opposition in the last round, but this should be a home victory.

Back Shrewsbury @ [1.98]

Bradford v AFC Wimbledon, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Bradford [2.52], Wimbledon [2.88], The Draw [3.4]

This one is hard to call. Wimbledon have a slightly better record away than they do at home, including winning a first round replay at Scunthorpe, and will surely fancy a repeat of their 2-1 victory at Valley Parade in a League Two fixtures in September. Neither side have had an easy to follow ride since then. The Bantams have lost their last two league games at home, but between those beat Rochdale in the cup, at home. Last weekend they drew 0-0 at Gillingham, their second goalless draw in a row away that at least shows stubbornness. They will see the cup as relief from another under-achieving season, despite seeming to lack something of a goal threat, having failed to score in five of their last eight matches. The Dons have shown no better consistency of results and gave their hosts Burton a good start in a 3-2 defeat last week. A draw seems possible.

Back The Draw @ [3.4]

Dagenham v Walsall, KO: Saturday 15:00, Match Odds: Dagenham [3.0], Walsall [2.5], The Draw [3.5]

The cup might have brought Dagenham a bit of relief from their terrible run in League Two, in which they have lost 13 of their last 14 matches. League Two at home to League One would quite normally see the visitors as favourites, but the fact Walsall are not strong ones is a reflection of their own malaise, two draws being their only relief in six games. The likes of Alex Nicholls and George Bowerman will probably demonstrate that the slight different in class between the levels usually counts in such encounters. Both sides took replays to reach this stage, but Walsall's victory over Exeter, a side in their own division, compared to Dagenham's triumph over Bath City, a division below, counts in their favour.

Back Walsall @ [2.5]