Andrew Wilsher
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The FA Cup is the oldest national soccer competition in the world and was first played way back in 1871. Now, 150 years of amazing history later, it still means the world to fans all over England.
It is a competition where the tiniest of village teams can dream about playing the likes of Manchester United or Liverpool, and this is the weekend when the magic really happens – third-round weekend. This is the weekend when the Premier League giants enter the tournament for the first time, and all those clubs from lower divisions who have battled hard to get this far hope to get paired with Manchester United, Chelsea, or one of the other superstars.
We’ve picked out a three-game parlay from the FA Cup third round. Be sure to check out the rest of our soccer predictions and remember to gamble responsibly.
A parlay of three FA Cup predictions can land a big winning ticket, paying odds of +1306 with FanDuel Sportsbook — more than 13/1.
Everton -1 to beat Rotherham – Against the Spread (-105), 7 a.m ET
Of course, the really top teams in England have big rosters with quality internationals – like Everton, for example.
So when Everton head coach, the legendary Italian Carlo Ancelotti, decides to rest some of his superstars for their tie with Rotherham – which is near the bottom of the Championship in the division below the EPL – he can still send out 11 top players.
And because Rotherham is really struggling for form – it has lost its last seven road games – Everton should win this tie easily and is quite likely to cover the spread.
Norwich to beat Coventry – Money Line (-125), 7 a.m ET
Norwich is another team with a decent roster because it was in the Premier League last season before being relegated to the Championship.
The Canaries look like they will be returning to the EPL next season as they currently sit top of the Championship, and they should be too strong for Coventry which, like Rotherham, is at the wrong end of that league.
Coventry has made improvements but Norwich is the best team in level two and has not lost any of its last ten home games.
Plymouth to beat Huddersfield – Money Line (+300), 1 p.m ET
One thing you have to know about the modern FA Cup is that while most fans still love it, it means less and less to managers at the top end of the game. Soccer’s riches are in the Premier League and the Championship, and head coaches will more often than not rest players in cup games rather than risk injuries.
That’s the case this season because the schedule is hectic so the head coach of Championship side Huddersfield, Carlos Corberan, has said he will rest a lot of his team against Plymouth, which plays in League One – the division below the Championship.
Normally, you’d say a Championship side will beat a League One side – but if Huddersfield isn’t at its strongest then Plymouth could easily spring a surprise.
There are always surprises in the FA Cup on third-round weekend – always. And those surprises come at nice odds. We’ve just got to find them – and Plymouth could be one.
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