FA Cup / Kevin Hatchard / 26 November 2009 /

Regular Bundesliga contributor Kevin Hatchard attempts to fill the shoes of the inimitable Alan Dudman and picks out three bets involving League One teams in FA Cup action this weekend. Starting with a tricky home tie for Gus Poyet's Brighton.

You could say I'm stepping into Alan Dudman's shoes this week, but I don't have the bravado to wear his faintly ridiculous cowboy boots, so I'll stick with my student-chic trainers. It's one of my favourite football weekends, as the magic of the FA Cup's second round takes centre stage.

Brighton [1.63] vs Rushden and Diamonds [6.2], the draw [4.1]

Gus Poyet's honeymoon period as Brighton boss lasted just two games. The Uruguayan oversaw morale-boosting wins against Southampton and Wycombe, but in the last week the team's defensive demons have resurfaced.

Losing 3-0 at home to League One leaders Leeds United was no disgrace, but Tuesday's 4-1 thrashing at Norwich City was a jaw-dropping display of defensive ineptitude. I'm tempted to use the old Keystone Cops cliché, but even they wouldn't have conceded the second and third goals at Carrow Road.

Poyet has plenty of rebuilding to keep him busy. The Seagulls have conceded 35 goals in 18 league matches, and 17 of those have gone in at the Withdean Stadium. First-choice goalkeeper Michel Kuipers has been out with a groin problem, and understudy Graeme Smith has looked far from convincing.

After several seasons of decline, Rushden and Diamonds are on the up under the guidance of former Spurs defensive stalwart Justin Edinburgh. They are the one of the form teams in the Blue Square Premier, having won seven of their last eight matches. Diamonds have shown they can grind out results on the road. They've lost just twice away from home this season, conceding just nine goals in 11 matches.

Edinburgh strengthened his squad in the summer by signing midfielder Paul Terry, brother of England captain John. He has experience of causing one or two cup upsets from his time at Dagenham.

RECOMMENDATION:

Brighton still have big defensive problems, so [1.63] looks too short to beat a Rushden and Diamonds side on good form. Lay Brighton at [1.69]

Carlisle United [3.4] vs Norwich City [2.26], the draw [3.6]

You never know what you're going to get with Carlisle. Sometimes their inconsistency isn't just displayed over a series of games, it's showcased within one match. Their 4-3 midweek victory at high-flying MK Dons is a case in point. Carlisle raced into a 3-0 lead, threw that advantage away, and then scored a winner.

Former Portsmouth striker Vincent Pericard has given the Cumbrians a focal point in attack, and Irish veterans Graeme Kavanagh and Ian Harte have been in excellent form. On the other hand Carlisle's defending is suspect, with just one clean sheet in their last 17 games.

Whichever mood Carlisle are in when they play, there are usually goals. In six of their last nine matches there have been over 3.5 goals.

After a dreadful start to the season, Norwich City have found their feet under boss Paul Lambert. The Canaries have lost just one of their last fourteen matches in all competitions, and that was to the aforementioned League One leaders Leeds United. They've been in fine fettle in attack, rattling in eight goals in three games. Former Blackpool winger Wes Hoolahan has been a star performer, scoring in each of his last five games.

RECOMMENDATION:

Carlisle's inconsistency makes the match odds market one to avoid, but I would definitely back over 3.5 goals at [3.3]

Brentford [2.3] vs Walsall [3.3], the draw [3.6]

After leading Brentford to the League Two title, Andy Scott was hailed as one of England's brightest young managers. The fickle nature of football means that just a few months later there are dark murmurings on message boards suggesting Scott has taken the Bees as far as he can.

Brentford were simply awful in their 1-0 midweek defeat at League One's bottom side Wycombe, and they've won just four league matches out of 18.

Walsall are just two points off the playoffs, and have built a five-match unbeaten run. Last Saturday they drew 1-1 at Brentford, and even though the Saddlers didn't play particularly well they nearly snatched all three points at the death.

RECOMMENDATION:

Walsall are the form team of the two, and the current price for them to reach round three looks good value to me. Back Walsall at [3.3]

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: