5 matches to watch this weekend: FA Cup third round takes centre-stage
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We’ve picked out the highlights from the fixture list
FA Cup third-round weekend is always one of the highlights of the football calendar, and this year is no different.
Think we’re in for a few cupsets or will the favourites triumph? We’ve picked out some of the most intriguing ties, as well as the best of the continental action too.
RB Leipzig v Borussia Dortmund (Saturday, 17:30)
RB Leipzig briefly went top of the Bundesliga last week and they look to be the most likely challengers to Bayern Munich, currently sitting two points behind the leaders.
The hosts are the 13/10 favourites here, with Dortmund at 2/1.
The away side may have been inconsistent this term, but they’ll be encouraged by their recent record at the Red Bull Arena. Dortmund have won to nil on both of their previous visits, though it’s a 5/1 shot they do so this time.
Our traders have Leipzig’s Alexander Sorloth and Yussuf Poulsen as joint 5/1 favourites to open the scoring.
Erling Braut Haaland is 11/8 to add to his 10 league strikes for Dortmund this term after returning to action last week. Jadon Sancho is 10/3 to net for the second week running, having belatedly got off the mark last week.
Man Utd v Watford (Saturday, 20:00)
After a fourth-successive semi-final defeat in midweek, Manchester United will be glad to see Watford up next.
They’ve won their last 10 home games against the Hornets, who’ve only won three away games this term. United are unsurprisingly 3/10 favourites. The Championship side are a 10/1 shot.
With a game against Burnley on Tuesday, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is set to rotate his side. Mason Greenwood could lead the line – he’s 13/8 to score. Donny van de Beek will also want to impress, he’s 14/5 to grab a goal.
Watford should name a strong side, with no midweek game to prepare for. Troy Deeney is their likeliest scorer at 14/5.
Roma v Inter Milan (Sunday, 11:30)
The Serie A title race looks to be wide open this term and second face third on Sunday morning.
Second-placed Inter will want to keep up the pressure on AC Milan ahead of next week’s clash with Juventus. But Roma come into this on the back of five wins in their last six league outings.
Inter are 13/10 favourites to get the points, with Roma at 15/8. However, the last five games between these two have finished level – it’s 13/5 for another draw. The previous two meetings at the Stadio Olimpico have also finished 2-2 – it’s 10/1 for another repeat.
Chelsea v Morecambe (Sunday, 13:30)
On paper, a home tie against League Two side Morecambe is the ideal game for under-fire Chelsea boss Frank Lampard – as long as his side don’t slip up.
The Blues have only won one of their last seven games in all competitions. They’re clear 1/14 favourites here though, with the Shrimps out at 25/1.
Lampard will be looking for a nice, straight-forward win here. Chelsea to win to nil is 4/7.
Tammy Abraham and Olivier Giroud will both be hoping they get the nod up front. They’re both 2/1 to score first or 4/11 anytime. Timo Werner is 4/9 to end his personal drought if he gets on.
Marine v Tottenham Hotspur (Sunday, 17:00)
This is what the cup is all about – Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur travel to non-league Marine for the biggest game in the Merseyside club’s history.
Our traders don’t think we’re in for a shock though – Spurs are overwhelming 1/66 favourites. Marine are 33/1 to pull off one of the biggest upsets in FA Cup history.
Mourinho is likely to ring the changes amid a crowded schedule. Carlos Vinicius is 7/4 to open the scoring or 1/6 as an Anytime scorer. Dele Alli is also 5/6 to strike if given a rare opportunity to impress this term.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication.
