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Forest Green Rovers take on Derby County in the FA Cup Third Round

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Rovers set to inflict FA Cup shock

Saturday January 3, 2009

FA Cup Third Round

Coventry City v Kidderminster Harriers

Prices correct at time of writing (5pm, Tuesday December 30, 2008).

Home 1/3 Draw 10/3 Away 8/1

Kidderminster Harriers travel to the Ricoh Arena to take on Championship side Coventry but if they could somehow get a draw here at 10/3 they'd have a sporting chance in the replay at Aggborough. A replay would also be a prime contender to be on TV. Kidderminster could argue a draw would almost be better than a win for them. At 8/1 they'll have plenty of supporters. I wouldn't really be lumping on Coventry at 1/3. Harriers are in good form with 10 points from their last six Blue Square Premier games. They've been struggling away from home but did win 1-0 at Torquay on Sunday. I'm going to take Kidderminster to get a draw here and a replay.

Verdict: Draw

Forest Green Rovers v Derby County

Home 4/1 Draw 12/5 Away 4/6

Forest Green Rovers have been struggling in the league, while Derby are managerless after Paul Jewell left earlier this week with Chris Hutchings put in temporary charge.

If there is going to be a big cup upset I think it will happen here and Forest Green are a very big price at 4/1. Derby won't relish this trip, they play Manchester United in the semi-final of the Carling Cup next week and are in a relegation battle in the Championship and they need this trip like a hole in the head. County will have the backing of a big support and have sold their allocation, with the match being sold-out. I think 4/1 is a very fair price for Forest Green Rovers to make the headlines in the FA Cup this weekend.

Verdict: Home win

Histon v Swansea City

Home 4/1 Draw 12/5 Away 4/6

Histon beat Leeds in the last round and have another home tie with a clash against Swansea, who have drawn their last eight matches. I think the draw is a good chance at 12/5. Histon have lost their way a little since their victory over Leeds, while 4/6 on Swansea is a fair price but I'm going to go for a draw. Swansea lost last year to Havant & Waterlooville so will want to avoid being the victims of another upset. I don't think lightening will strike twice with Histon and I'm going for a draw and a replay.

Verdict: Draw

Kettering Town v Eastwood Town

Home 8/15 Draw 13/5 Away 5/1

Kettering led the Blue Square Premier earlier this season but have dropped down to mid-table and they will be the big guns against Northern Premier League Premier Division side Eastwood Town. The Poppies are one of the shortest-priced teams at 8/15 and I think they'll beat Eastwood. I feel sorry for Eastwood, who were drawn against either Notts County or Kettering. A tie against County would almost have been as big a tie as a clash against a Premier League team with Eastwood so close to Nottingham so to get Kettering away was hardly what they wanted. But I expect the Poppies to win and reach round four.

Verdict: Home win

Middlesbrough v Barrow

Home 1/5 Draw 9/2 Away 12/1

Barrow have sold out their allocation and they aren't going there to make up the numbers. They are 9/2 to get a draw and a replay, which would be a tremendous result, and 12/1 to cause a big cup upset. I would imagine Boro will be too strong for Barrow, but the Bluebirds won't go down without a fight. This promises to be a great game and I think Boro will go through.

Verdict: Home win

Torquay United v Blackpool

Home 5/2 Draw 9/4 Away evens

Managerless Blackpool drew 2-2 at home against Wolves in the Championship on Monday night and they travel to Torquay, who will fancy their chances at Plainmoor. 5/2 is a great price on a Torquay win, with Blackpool evens and the draw 9/4. But I'm going for the Gulls to progress to the FA Cup fourth round.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Torquay 5/2

Kettering 8/15

Coventry v Kidderminster Draw 10/3

Forest Green 4/1