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Diamonds To Polish Off League Opponents

Saturday November 10, 2007

These prices correct at time of writing (2pm, Wednesday November 7th, 2007).

Altrincham v Millwall

Home 100/30 Draw 5/2 Away 4/6

Altrincham were disappointed that this wasn't one of the FA Cup ties to be shown live on television but it will be one of the featured matches on Match of the Day. They face a stiff task but have a decent record in the Cup and that's probably why they are only 100/30 for the upset with Millwall 4/6, which might be very popular. I actually think Altrincham have a great chance of getting a replay here as I don't think Millwall are going to run away with it. Moss Lane is a good place for an FA Cup run as a few teams have come unstuck there in the past. So, it's a heart over head one again for me and I think the Robins can get a draw and that's what I'll go for. However, if you are a heavy hitter and like the 4/6 on the Lions don't be put off.

Verdict: Draw

Cambridge v Aldershot

Home 11/8 Draw 11/5 Away 13/8

This would be a top-of-the-table clash in the Blue Square Premier and I suppose it's a game which both sides could do without given their league ambitions. However, such is the lucrative nature of the FA Cup once you get into the second round you are just one step away from a big-money tie. This is a replay for me here. It's like the Arsenal v Manchester United situation the other day as I think the draw is the obvious choice. 11/5 is a great price for it to end in stalemate. Cambridge are doing well, they're playing particularly well at home and got that massive bonus in beating Torquay away last week. So, a draw for me at 11/5.

Verdict: Draw

Eastbourne Borough v Weymouth

Home 13/10 Draw 9/4 Away 17/10

I would fully expect this to be a Weymouth victory even though Eastbourne will be thinking they can get the upset at 13/10. I think Weymouth have a good chance but when you look at it, this is a game where either side could claim the win. I think experience could count for a lot in this one and as a result I'm going to go for Weymouth at 17/10 in a match which will have plenty of interest in that part of the country.

Verdict: Away win

Exeter v Stevenage

Home 11/8 Draw 11/5 Away 13/8

You try telling Exeter fans that the FA Cup means nothing. It was certainly a famous day when they got a draw at Old Trafford and took Manchester United to a replay. It didn't really matter what happened at St James Park, United won easily but they got the TV money, the big gate in the first match and financially they were given a huge stay of execution. For me, Stevenage are a team to follow over the next few weeks and I don't think they are going to lose this match. Again it could be a tight game and a replay as both these sides had good wins last week. I'm going to back Stevenage but perhaps using Draw No Bet

Verdict: Draw

Halifax v Burton Albion

Home 6/4 Draw 11/5 Away 6/4

Halifax are unbeaten at home while Burton have yet to taste defeat on the road, drawing six of their nine away matches. Albion need to bounce back after last week's surprise loss at home to Kidderminster. It's Halifax for me here at 6/4 as they are improving and I think they have got a good chance because Burton are just off the boil at the moment. I don't think that will be reflected at the end of the season but in the Cup I think home advantage is important and I'm going for Halifax.

Verdict: Home win

Harrogate Railway v Droylsden

Home 100/30 Draw 5/2 Away 4/6

On face value you would think Harrogate Railway are worth taking a chance on to beat Droylsden, whose record on the road is poor. However, I think class might tell here and Droylsden could well come away with the win. The Bloods have been playing better than their results suggest and I'm going to take them to beat Harrogate Railway which will spoil it for the Cup romantics. If you are a value punter you keep thinking 100/30 is a good price for a home team in the FA Cup against a struggling side away from home. But I'm going to stick with Droylsden.

Verdict: Away win

Notts County v Histon

Home 4/6 Draw 12/5 Away 7/2

Histon are playing well at the moment and if there is to be an eye-catching upset, then maybe the 7/2 on a Histon win wouldn't be that big a surprise. I could easily see the visitors getting a draw here as Histon have a big chance. This is another one of those games where you look back afterwards and say the 4/6 was massive because County should be different class. Histon though are playing well enough to suggest an upset could be in the air and I'm going to take them not to lose.

Verdict: Draw

Oxford United v Northwich

Home 4/9 Draw 11/4 Away 11/2

Under normal circumstances you would put this down as an absolute certain home win but I've looked at this and I've thought Northwich Victoria defied the odds to win away at Southport in the last round and it's amazing how many times the FA Cup has saved clubs which are in deep trouble. I've just got this feeling that Northwich are going to cause the shock of the round and it will certainly make the non-league headlines. I'm going for Northwich to get the win against an Oxford side beaten 5-0 at Rushden last week.

Verdict: Away win

Rushden v Macclesfield Town

Home 6/4 Draw 11/5 Away 6/4

6/4 is a good price on Rushden, who are playing well. Yes, Oxford played badly against them last week but Rushden now have the momentum and I think the home win is the bet here. I've been impressed with the way Rushden have been developing this season and I think they are going to progress at the expense of Macclesfield which would be an excellent league scalp.

Verdict: Home win

Ware v Kidderminster

Home 100/30 Draw 5/2 Away 4/6

This is a game very similar to Harrogate Railway against Droylsden; only I think Kidderminster are a better side than Droylsden as they've shown that they can win away. I fancy the Harriers strongly to win at Ware. The minnows are 100/30 and will have their supporters in what's a romantic tie for them but realistically it's Kidderminster all the way for me.

Verdict: Away win

York v Havant and Waterlooville

Home 1/2 Draw 13/5 Away 5/1

I would be very surprised if York didn't win this one at what is a fair price. Maybe a better way to go would be the 11/10 half-time/full-time which is arguably the best bet of the weekend. I think they will win this one comfortably against a side making the long trip to Kit Kat Crescent. York seem to have suddenly kicked into gear and the 1/2 on the home win is sure to be on everyone's coupon.

Verdict: Home win

Sunday November 11, 2007

Forest Green v Rotherham

Home 7/4 Draw 9/4 Away 5/4

Ever since Forest Green lost that game to Salisbury recently nothing really has gone wrong for them and they are the form side in the Blue Square Premier. What was handy for them last week was that they kept a clean sheet. For me, this will be a draw as Rotherham are not a bad side and many people will be having a punt on the Millers at 5/4. However, Forest Green could actually win this one and are one of the sides being tipped to be in the play-off picture at the end of the season. I am watching their results closely at the moment but I expect the two sides to play a replay in South Yorkshire

Verdict: Draw

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Cambridge v Aldershot Draw 11/5

Notts County v Histon Draw 12/5

Rushden 6/4

York half-time/full-time 11/10

Banker BetYork half-time/full-time 11/10