Sheffield Wednesday will avoid cup shock
Pretty much every year on FA Cup first round weekend, the TV cameras turn up at a game involving one of the biggest clubs in League One hoping to capture their humiliation against non-league opposition, and they struck gold last year when Charlton were humbled by Northwich Victoria.
This season's targets are Sheffield Wednesday, who appear the perfect fit for the role of one-time giants searching for a new low to sink to, having followed a reasonable start to life in the third tier with a lean streak of three wins in a dozen games.
The Owls visit Southport of the Blue Square Premier, who pulled off a mini shock in their qualifying tie to earn this opportunity, beating promotion-chasing Wrexham 2-0 at the Racecourse Ground, where AFC Wimbledon were the only previous successful away side this term.
The Sandgrounders' league form isn't quite as encouraging though; they've won just one of their last 12 matches and are two points off the drop in their first campaign back at Conference level since topping the Blue Square North, with only one of their last six at Haig Avenue ending in victory.
Wednesday boss Alan Irvine's priority is to regain a spot in the Championship his priority but he will be keen to avoid a morale-sapping defeat. His team have a tendency to perform better on their travels, perhaps because there's too much expectation when they play at Hillsborough.
Main goal threats Neil Mellor and Marcus Tudgay have both scored more on the road and given that Southport have the joint-least prolific home attack in their division, the away triumph does look a fairly tasty proposition at [1.7].
Southport v Sheffield Wednesday
Kick-off: 12pm
Live on ITV1
Disagree and fancy the upset? Then back Southport to deliver at [5.1]...
Published: 6 Nov 2010
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