FA Cup Replays Betting: Sunderland can show Blackburn they're no Cisses when it comes to replays

Non-Televised Match Previews / Jaymes Monte / 03 February 2009 / Leave a Comment

Jaymes Monte talks us through Wednesday's non-televised FA Cup replays with an all-Premiership clash between Blackburn and Sunderland and a tricky tie for Villa at home to Doncaster. Best bet: Under 2.5 goals @ [1.84] in Blackburn v Sunderland.

The fourth round tie between Manchester United and Tottenham unearthed a hidden F.A. Cup ruling. Rule 11a states (in short) that the first match between teams may go to extra time if both teams agree in writing and confirm with The Association within seven days of the draw being made.

Whilst media reports suggested that this ruling was conveniently discovered to aid Fergie and 'Arry's leg weary squads, the F.A. were quick to point out that it had been in place for many a year. However, it does raise the question of whether replays are a time honoured tradition worth keeping or a nuisance out of touch with the modern game.

Any arguments against replays largely come from the top of the football pyramid. Certain managers of Premier League clubs are incessantly moaning about fixture congestion. An F.A. cup replay only gives them more ammunition to add to their argument. Although we are all reluctant to tolerate any moaning about being paid thousands of pounds a week to play our beautiful game, there are jobs at stake and it would be reckless to completely disregard these claims. If Manchester United were to progress to the finals of both the F.A. Cup and Champions League they would be expected to play a minimum of 67 games this season. Add to that the potential for F.A. Cup replays and we can maybe start to see the argument against.

Contrastingly, the argument for a replay will be argued by the clubs lower in the football pyramid. A replay can be a massive incentive for the smaller clubs as well as a massive source of revenue. A home tie against Manchester United is a dream come true for any club and player in the lower echelons of English football. However, the reward of holding on for a draw and a trip to Old Trafford could financially be the difference between a club going into liquidation or battling on for another year.

Although replays can be unwanted extra games for the few, they can be lifelines for the masses. I believe that the F.A. Cup replay is an institution worth hanging on to.

Aston Villa v Doncaster

Whilst Martin O'Neill's side have continued to pick up important results in the league, they haven't been doing it in style. Villa haven't won a game by more than a single goal since mid December and are starting to show signs of fatigue. Doncaster are unbeaten in eight and have shown form which has seen them climb out of the bottom three. I expect this to be a tight game and a play on the Asian Handicap market looks the way forward with Doncaster +1.0&+1.5 available at [2.0].

The first game between these two ended goalless and the Doncaster defence looked to have the measure of the Villa attack. Ashley Young will return from suspension for this game and will add some fresh legs and pace to the attack. However Under 2.5 goals at [2.1] looks another sensible play.

Nottm Forest v Derby

Nigel Clough makes his first return to the City Ground as manager, but in the opposite dugout to where his father famously sat. In that dugout will be Billy Davies who can be forgiven for looking over to the Derby bench with a hint of 'I told you so' in his eyes.

The tie could turn out to be a tale of the two goalscorers from the first meeting of the teams. Robert Earnshaw has five goals in his last six games and Rob Hulse has two in his last three. With two strikers in form, Over 2.5 goals available at [2.3] looks a decent shout.

Blackburn v Sunderland

The first meeting between these two sides was such a dire affair that when the fourth official held up the board to indicate four minutes of injury time, a chorus of ironic boos echoed around the Stadium of Light. For that reason I couldn't put anyone off backing 0-0 at [11.5]. However, I would recommend covering yourself with bets on 1-0 at [8.0] and 0-1 at [13.0].

Blackburn's home record reads identically to Sunderland's away record with three wins, four draws and five defeats each. Although Rovers are still unbeaten under Sam Allardyce, the [2.0] available on the home side looks short to me and a lay at that price would be my advice.

Jones and Cisse were rested for the first game between the two sides and it wouldn't be a surprise to see them sit this one out too. The duo are responsible for fifteen of Sunderland's twenty five league goals this season so without them the Black Cats may struggle to find the net. It might be worth waiting for team news to surface, but if they aren't involved I'd be looking to back Under 2.5 goals at [1.84] as my main play of the night.