The FA Cup third round is one of the greatest days in the British sporting calendar as it offers smaller clubs the chance to topple Premiership heavyweights. This year is no different, and the likes of Fleetwood Town, Nottingham Forest and Norwich are all in with a shot of a giant killing. Here are some of the most interesting games to look forward to. Bet on the matches at BMR’s green-listed bookmakers.
Fleetwood v Leicester
In the 2011-12 season, Jamie Vardy was plying his trade for non-league side Fleetwood, where he impressed by firing in 31 goals and earning them promotion to the Football League. He caught the eye of Leicester, who bought him for a cool £1 million – an extraordinary sum for a non-league footballer and still a record. Vardy led the Foxes into the top flight and then to the most unlikely Premiership title win ever. He was named Premiership Player of the Year and is now a full England international on £80,000 per week. The transfer fee also transformed Fleetwood’s fortunes, and they have been able to secure promotion to League One.
Vardy is now set for an emotional return to the ground where it all began, and he looks a great option at 21/20 with Ladbrokes and Coral to score at any time in this game. Leicester are clear of relegation trouble but unable to challenge the top four in the Premiership, so they may as well go for it in the FA Cup and look great to win this game at 4/7 with Sky Bet, Coral and Bet Victor.
Wolves v Swansea
The team top of the Championship host the team at bottom of the Premiership on Saturday, and Wolves should fancy their chances of victory. Swansea have been dreadful this season, scoring just 13 goals in 22 games. They have lost 14 times already and look to be heading down to the Championship next season. Wolves are most certainly heading in the other direction, as they have a 12-point lead at the top of the league. They are arguably the best Championship team of all time after a significant summer investment in a host of talented Portuguese and Brazilian players. They pass the ball gracefully and are very easy on the eye, and they should be able to take the Swans apart on Saturday.
Wolves can afford to focus on a Cup run as they are in no danger of being overhauled in the league any time soon, while the last thing Swansea need is the distraction of a Cup run while they battle for survival and they will be happy to lose. Wolves to win this at 8/11 with Betfred looks great.
Norwich v Chelsea
Norwich are having a pretty miserable season in the Championship and have little chance of making the playoffs, so the Tractor Boys might enjoy a change of scene. However, they are unlikely to have much joy against Premiership champions Chelsea, who have not lost in seven games and boast hundreds of millions of pounds’ worth of talent in their squad. Chelsea are 1/2 to win with Sun Bets, Betway and various others, so they could make a good double with Leicester.
For more value, Chelsea and over 2.5 goals looks good at 11/10 with Ladbrokes and various other green-listed bookmakers, as Chelsea’s reserves should be able to destroy Norwich.
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