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McFarland's Burton face Salisbury

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Burton tipped for Trophy win

Saturday January 10, 2009

FA Trophy Second Round Proper

Burton Albion v Salisbury

Prices correct at time of writing (1.30pm, Wednesday January 7, 2009).

Home 4/7 Draw 13/5 Away 4/1

New Burton manager Roy McFarland's first game in charge is against Salisbury. There is an argument that Roy can't lose this weekend, because were Albion to taste defeat against Salisbury it might do them a favour in the long run because they would avoid any fixture congestion. But Roy isn't that type of person, he'll want to get off to a winning start straight away and you can't break a winning habit too easily. Burton have plenty of pride and will want to keep winning, they're on a superb run at the moment and I think that will continue and they will progress in the FA Trophy by beating Salisbury.

Verdict: Home win

Cambridge United v Crawley Town

Home 11/10 Draw 12/5 Away 15/8

Cambridge have home advantage and I think this will be key here. If the game had been at Crawley I think it would be a different result. United had a trip to Wembley in the Blue Square Premier play-off final last season. I think Cambridge will progress, although the U's could struggle to get promotion this season. A good FA Trophy run and another trip to Wembley and the fans won't be too restless there.

Verdict: Home win

Ebbsfleet United v Stalybridge Celtic

Home 4/5 Draw 5/2 Away 13/5

FA Trophy holders Ebbsfleet United should win but Blue Square North side Stalybridge Celtic are a hard side to predict. Celtic would be hard to beat up at Stalybridge but with home advantage, the Fleet should go through and continue their fine run in this competition.

Verdict: Home win

Oxford United v York City

Home 4/5 Draw 12/5 Away 11/4

Oxford had a good 2-0 win over Salisbury on New Year's Day, while York lost 3-1 at home to Burton in what proved to be Nigel Clough's last game in charge of Albion. City missed out on a televised game at Weymouth on Tuesday because of the weather so both sides should be pretty fresh. Oxford have been hard to predict but I think they're a side to follow in the second half of the season, despite all their managerial changes this year. York have had too many draws during this campaign and I'm going to go with Oxford to progress.

Verdict: Home win

Torquay United v Rushden & Diamonds

Home 8/11 Draw 5/2 Away 3/1

Torquay lost the FA Trophy final last season to Ebbsfleet and they're at home on Saturday. Blackpool found it difficult at Plainmoor in the FA Cup and lost their third-round clash to the Gulls 1-0 last weekend. It's a big game for Rushden because they are not doing as well as Torquay in the league.

Fixture congestion caught up with Torquay last season due to their run in this competition and as a result missed out in the play-offs to Exeter. This will be a good game and I think United will get the better of Rushden, possibly 2-1.

Verdict: Home win

Angus Loughran Best Bets

Torquay United 8/11

Cambridge United 11/10

Banker Bet

Burton Albion 4/7