EFL Tips: Gab Sutton's FA Cup Tips for January 10
It's the FA Cup third round this weekend, one of the most revered days of the football calendar with potential giant killings up and down the country.
Gab Sutton, our Free Bets EFL expert, has lined up his top EFL betting tips for the best of the action.
EFL Betting Tips
Here are Gab's five betting tips for the weekend along with the best prices and latest odds from our top UK betting sites.
Derby vs Leeds - Derby to win
Derby and Leeds share a historic rivalry going back to the feud between Brian Clough and Don Revie since the late 1960s, the brawl between Norman Hunter and Francis Lee in 1975, and ‘Spygate’ of 2019.
As such, Sunday’s game will carry significance for both sets of fans, so Derby could see home advantage to be to their benefit, as John Eustace continues to do good work at Pride Park on a modest budget.
The Rams operate with a compact 3-4-3 and, with three strikers by trade on the pitch in Ben Brereton-Diaz, Carlton Morris and Rhian Brewster, they always have the means to hurt their opponents at any moment.
Plus, the visitors are likely to rotate off the back of four games in 10 days.
Portsmouth vs Arsenal - Portsmouth to win
Premier League champions Liverpool were knocked out of the FA Cup last season by Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle, and it’s possible that Arsenal struggle to navigate this competition, whilst being one of the frontrunners in the league and Champions League.
The Gunners drew 0-0 with Arne Slot’s side on Thursday, so Mikel Arteta is expected to make wholesale changes, offering opportunities perhaps to the likes of Max Dowman and Ethan Nwaneri and Cristhian Mosquera, which could give hosts Portsmouth more of a chance.
Pompey remain massive underdogs, of course, but they can produce something special on one-off days, with the intimidating atmosphere that Fratton Park can generate with a vociferous home support.
Plus, John Mousinho’s side have shown some signs of resurgence in the Championship, taking eight points from their last five, and they have an attacking midfielder in Adrian Segecic who’s perfect for an out-of-possession game.
Norwich vs Walsall - Norwich to win
Norwich have enjoyed top half form in the Championship, since Phillippe Clement was appointed head coach in October, but because they had such a bad start, they’re still as low as 22nd.
Nonetheless, the Canaries are playing with a lot more confidence right now, and can look to the likes of Pelle Mattson, who covers every blade of grass in midfield, and Jovon Makama, who’s among the Championship’s top goalscorers with nine, after stepping up from League One Lincoln.
As such, the Yellows will be glad of a cup run just to maintain that winning feeling, as they welcome a Walsall side vying for promotion from League Two.
Mat Sadler’s charges, though, travel to Norfolk off the back of successive defeats.
Sheffield United vs Mansfield - Sheffield United to win
Sheffield United have won 10 of their 20 league games, since Chris Wilder returned to the club that sacked him back and June, with the Blades legend has slowly but surely getting them back on track.
A Play-Off spot remains a long shot, though, so an FA Cup run would be a great way of making memories from what’s likely to be a midtable season.
Visiting boss Nigel Clough knows what it takes to take United to the latter stages, having led them to the Semi-Finals in 2014, and now his Mansfield side are intent on stopping them repeating that feat.
The Stags have won their last three in League One, and have since strengthened their squad with the signings of Jonny Russell and Oliver Irow, but Sheffield United’s class should tell.
Manchester United vs Brighton - Manchester United to win
Darren Fletcher delivered an improved performance for Manchester United in his first game as caretaker at Burnley, with the Scot’s side drawing 2-2 in a game they dominated, and had more than enough shots and chances to win.
Now operating with the better-suited back-four, and looking more balanced, there’s more urgency about the Red Devils, for whom striker Benjamin Sesko grabbed a breakthrough brace.
Fletcher also pays attention to the optics of what a Manchester United manager should look and feel like, wearing the traditional blazer with the coat of arms to Turf Moor, and it makes a difference to the sense of purpose around the club.
With that in mind, the timing of the fixture could be inconvenient for Brighton, who are having another positive season – but they’ve only won one of their last eight.
More Football Tips
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