FA Cup 3rd round tips: Huddersfield and Hull can provide shocks

Swindon and Manchester City kick off the FA Cup third round on Friday evening in one of 14 ties featuring Premier League sides against lower-league opposition.

Holders Leicester are at home to Watford, one of three all-top-flight clashes, while four non-league teams seek to progress.

The FA scrapped replays to ease pressure on the congested schedule, meaning ties will go to extra-time and penalties.

Swindon v Man City

Swindon and Manchester City renew acquaintance for the first time in 20 years with 71 places separating the teams.

The Robins are fifth in League Two following a 5-2 win over Northampton thanks to four-goal Harry McKirdy who is at 5.8 to score any time.

City have won 14 of their last 15 in all competitions. Pep Guardiola’s side to win/over 4.5 goals is at 2.42. Rodri scored the added-time winner at Arsenal last time out and he is an eye-catching 13.5 to get the first goal.

Tip: Rodri to score the first goal at 13.5

Premier League leaders Man City should prove too strong for League Two Swindon

Hull v Everton

Hull and Everton are perilously close to the drop zone in the Championship and Premier League respectively with the Toffees on a woeful run of one win and six points in 12 games.

The Tigers have taken two points from four matches. Grant McCann’s side reached the fourth round in 2019/20 thanks to a Tom Eaves’ third-round hat-trick and the forward is at 3.95 to score at any time. The hosts are at 4.3 to win.

The pressure has cranked up on Rafa Benitez and although they need reinforcements, he will look to the cup for a welcome distraction. Dominic Calvert-Lewin is at 4.3 to be first goalscorer, while Everton are 5.2 to win both halves.

Tip: Hull to win at 4.3

Burnley v Huddersfield

The form guide and Premier League table make unpleasant viewing for Clarets fans while organisation, work ethic and no little quality has gelled to make the Terriers a tough opponent.

Burnley have won once all season and appear to be paying for not reinforcing an ageing squad. Goals are hard to come by – with top scorer Maxwel Cornet at the Africa Cup of Nations – while they have conceded six in the previous two outings. Burnley are at 4 to win both halves.

Huddersfield have won three of their last four to move into the Championship play-off places. Striker Danny Ward has got three in four and is 4.4 to score any time. Carlos Corberan’s side are 4.8 to reach the fourth round for the first time since 2017/18.

Tip: Huddersfield at 4.8 to win

Chelsea v Chesterfield

Last season’s runners-up Chelsea host National League leaders Chesterfield as the teams meet for the first time since February 1950.

The Blues are already on the brink of one cup final after beating Tottenham in the League Cup semi-final first leg. They dominated Spurs on Romelu Lukaku’s return from a short-lived exile with the Belgian at 2.82 to score the opener. Thomas Tuchel’s team are 2.2 to win/over 4.5 goals.

Chesterfield have lost once in 20 games this season and in 18-goal Kabongo Tshimanga have the National League’s top scorer who is 4.3 to strike any time.

Tip: Kabongo Tshimanga to score any time at 4.3

Man United v Aston Villa

The final tie of the round sees the Premier League pair meet at Old Trafford with Ralf Rangnick already under fire.

The Red Devils were insipid in defeat by Wolves with Rangnick reportedly facing a demotivated, divided dressing room but Man Utd to win and both teams to score is at 3.5.

Villa inflicted United's first league defeat this season when Kortney Hause scored a late goal at Old Trafford in September. It seems to be a good time to head north, and Villa are an eye-catching 5.8 to win.

Tip: Villa to win at 5.8.

Recommended bets:

Swindon vs Man City: Rodri to score first @ 13.5

Hull vs Everton: Hull to win @ 4.3

Burnley vs Huddersfield: Huddersfield to win @ 4.8 

Chelsea vs Chesterfield: Kabongo Tshimanga to score any time @ 4.3

Man Utd vs Aston Villa: Aston Villa to win @ 5.8