FA Cup / Hannah Duncan / 30 November 2011 /

A place in the third round of the FA Cup is up for grabs and this weekend's matches mean big bucks in addition to big bragging rights. Hannah Duncan talks us through the big value bets.

It's FA Cup weekend again as the Second Round gets underway - and the magic's still truly alive with some tasty ties for the surviving non-league clubs.

At least one side from beyond the Football League will be guaranteed a place in the Third Round and the chance of a trip to Old Trafford, Stamford Bridge or if they're particularly unfortunate, Selhurst Park, with the all Blue Square Bet Premier clash between Gateshead and Tamworth.

But beyond that, there are several other underdogs looking for that ever-clichéd 'cup upset', or dare I say it - 'giant killing'.

On Friday, the Second Round kicks-off as Conference outfit Fleetwood Town host former giant-killers (sorry!)Yeovil Town, in what probably offers the best chance of an upset (sorry again!), with the hosts currently [2.28] favourites on Betfair. The fixture is live on ESPN (kick-off 19:30), allowing punters to hopefully see their bets come in as they happen!

The Cod Army (they're surely worth backing for that alone!) have already sent a League One side packing in this year's Cup, with a 2-0 win over Wycombe Wanderers in the last round, despite playing the second-half with 10 men after Richard Brodie saw red for violent conduct.

And Micky Mellon's side are in a rich vein of form at present, currently sitting top of the Conference with a three-point cushion over Wrexham in second. Their visitors, meanwhile, are languishing in the League One drop-zone and are really struggling with life under Terry Skiverton, with just 16 points from 19 games.

On the flip-side, while Fleetwood have started making Highbury Stadium something of a fortress this campaign, losing just one league game there, they haven't always managed to convert draws into wins with four stalemates at home. Yeovil too could end the season ruing their number of draws, with five on the road from eight league games.

With this in mind, if you're looking for a results-based bet, a draw could be the way to go at [3.5] with Betfair. If you're after better odds and want to get on a score-based punt, 1-1 at [7.0] or 2-2 at [13.5] could be for you. Yeovil have averaged scoring two goals in their last eight outings, so are no strangers to finding the back of the net, while their hosts have racked up 21 goals in 11 home league fixtures this campaign.

And to keep your interest right until the last second of action, Blue Square Bet South side Sutton United host League One's Notts County on Sunday evening (live on ESPN, 17:00). These teams met in the First Round in 2008, when a single goal put County through.

Sutton are one of the competition's most famous sides, after their heroic 2-1 victory over then top-flight side Coventry City in 1989. Nearly 23 years on and it still remains the last time a non-league side put a club from England's top tier out of the FA Cup.

But on to the weekend and the U's are flying high in the Conference South, where they currently sit in third place and in strong form at Gander Green Lane, having won five, drawn one and lost two in the league. Their visitors too are in a promising league position, occupying the final play-off spot in League One.

And although County's away form doesn't appear too daunting on paper, having lost five of their 10 league games on the road this campaign, they're favourites on Betfair at just [1.63] and it's likely Martin Allen's side will have a bit too much experience in the locker for Sutton.

My tip, given County are no strangers to picking the ball out of either net away from home, is a bet on a 3-1 away win at [14.5].

Back the draw in Fleetwood v Yeovil @ [3.5]
Back Notts County to beat Sutton 3-1 @ [14.5]

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