With no Premier League action this weekend, EPL teams turn their attention to the biggest cup competition in the country for the FA Cup Third Round.
This is the first round that features sides from the English top flight, which begins on Thursday night and ends on Monday.
Some of the weekend’s biggest matches include the Tyne-Wear Derby between Sunderland and Newcastle and Arsenal hosting Liverpool. Three other games feature two EPL teams playing each other.
Before placing bets in cup competitions, you want to make sure you pay attention to team news in case any teams play heavily-rotated squads. I’ve picked out my two favorite plays below for my best bets of the FA Cup Third Round.
FA Cup Third Round – Best Bets
Crystal Palace vs. Everton – Palace to Advance (+105) BetRivers
I’m sticking to a pair of teams that I follow closely, and I’m choosing to go against an Everton team missing key midfielders. The main absentee is Abdoulaye Doucouré, who has been the Toffees’ best player this season.
On the campaign, Doucouré leads manager Sean Dyche’s team with six goals. Beyond his goal threat, you can see the importance of his absence in the last three losses.
Everton has allowed an average of 1.933 expected goals and three big chances per match, according to fbref.com, in the defeats. This is much more than the full-season averages of 1.385 xG and 1.95 big chances per 90 minutes.
With Idrissa Gana Gueye off to the African Cup of Nations, Dyche will be without two of his midfield trio. This should allow for Palace to control the match and get the ball to the healthy attackers of Michael Olise, Eberechi Eze and Odsonne Édouard.
I also expect veteran Roy Hodgson to field a strong team to keep his name further off the hot seat. Give me Palace at home to move on to the next round.
Brentford vs. Wolverhampton Wanderers – Wolves Draw no Bet (+115) FanDuel
The team on the poorest form in the Premier League right now is Brentford, and I don’t see that improving here. The Bees have lost seven of their last eight, which includes a 4-1 defeat to Wolves just two games ago.
Manager Thomas Frank will also be missing multiple key forwards. With Ivan Toney out suspended, Frank will be without Bryan Mbuemo (injury) and Yoane Wissa (AFCON).
This duo has combined to play a direct role in 15 of Brentford’s 25 goals in the EPL. Neal Maupay is not a striker that scares me here without much help.
Yes, Wolves will also be without striker Hee-Chan Hwang, but I just trust this team to avoid defeat against a weak Bees’ squad.
With all the attacking pieces gone, you could look at the total to fall under 2.5 goals. However, I will just back the team with more depth and better form to get a result.
