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Plainmoor: Torquay take on Coventry

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Poppies and Gulls eye Cup shocks

Saturday January 24, 2009

FA Cup Fourth Round

Kettering Town v Fulham (Kick-off 15:00)

Prices correct at time of writing (1.30pm, Wednesday January 21, 2009).

Home 7/1 Draw 10/3 Away 4/11

Kettering take on Premier League outfit Fulham at Rockingham Road and are a big price to cause a shock. The Poppies are up against it and I would be surprised if Kettering are strong enough to beat top-flight opposition, but Fulham aren't the greatest away from home, although they did have a fine win in the third round at Sheffield Wednesday.

Kettering have slightly gone off the boil since going on this FA Cup run and that's not surprising for the players to naturally be thinking of the big pay-day. The match will be shown in its entirety on Setanta on Saturday night, which isn't quite as good as live coverage but it's nevertheless one of the biggest days in Kettering's history. If they could get a replay that would be a tremendous result but realistically it's going to be Fulham's day.

Verdict: Away win

Torquay United v Coventry City

Home 3/1 Draw 12/5 Away 5/6

Coventry boss Chris Coleman was at Plainmoor last Friday night to see United's 1-1 draw against Wrexham. Many people have a sneaky feeling the Gulls could soar into the last 16 here. There are worse 3/1 chances than Torquay this weekend. United did well to beat Blackpool in the last round and have a good home record. Coventry, who won the FA Cup in 1987, won't fancy this trip at all. Plenty of punters will put Coventry on the coupon as a banker at 5/6 but I think Torquay are more than capable of holding their own and think this might go to a replay or even go one better for Torquay. However, it's a draw for me.

Verdict: Draw