FA Cup Third Round Odds & Best Bets: Saturday, January 4, 2020
- Fulham have hopes of overcoming struggling Aston Villa
- EPL Norwich are outsiders away at EFL Preston North End
- Luton Town could create classic cup magic at Bournemouth
English football cherishes the FA Cup Third Round as one of its greatest traditions and Fulham’s home tie against Aston Villa helps explain the affection for this stage of the competition.
It pits a team from the second-tier EFL Championship in good home form against a struggling Premier League team, with the possibility of an upset in store on Saturday, January 4, at Craven Cottage, London, at 10:01 am EST.
No, it is not a classic of the kind which takes place when non-league sides or clubs from League One and League Two meet the big boys.
But it offers intriguing betting possibilities, with EFL club Fulham actually rated as favorites at +111.
This is one of the better prices on offer on Saturday where there is a realistic chance of victory for the smaller outfit. The draw is an even more attractive price at +240, with Villa rated at +220 to win.
FA Cup Third Round Fulham vs Aston Villa Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fulham | pk,-½ -122 | +111 | Ov2½, 3 -120 |
| Aston Villa | pk,+ ½ +102 | +220 | Un2½,3 +100 |
| Draw | N/A | +240 | N/A |
All odds taken Jan. 3
Relegation Battle in EPL
Villa are in 17th place in the EPL after 21 fixtures after being promoted last season following a three-year absence.
Although they scored an important 2-1 win away from home at Burnley on New Year’s Day, they had lost five of the previous six EPL games.
This run included disappointing defeats by Southampton and Sheffield United.
However, they have won two of their last three matches – beating Norwich City 1-0 and losing 3-0 against Watford before the win against Burnley.
Fulham were relegated from the EPL last season and are fifth in the EFL Championships after 26 games.
"Hopefully, the quality of the squad will carry us through." 💪
Dean Smith sat down with the media earlier today to discuss injuries, the transfer window and our trip to Craven Cottage… #AVFC #EmiratesFACup
— Aston Villa (@AVFCOfficial) January 3, 2020
They have beaten Stoke City and Leeds United in their last two EFL home games at their famous stadium beside the River Thames in west London.
This has represented an upturn in form. Before the win against Leeds on December 14, they had lost three consecutive games against Brentford, Preston North End and Bristol City.
English supporters regard the Third Round as a symbol of the historic romance and customs of the FA Cup. It is famed for upset scorelines.
Manager Scott Parker has steadied that bad form which makes his team one of the more interesting prospects in the Third Round.
Pick: Draw +240
FA Cup Third Round Preston North End vs Norwich City Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Preston North End | -½ +118 | +118 | Ov2½, 3 -109 |
| Norwich City | + ½ -138 | +210 | Un2½,3 -111 |
| Draw | N/A | +235 | N/A |
English supporters regard the Third Round as a symbol of the historic romance and customs of the FA Cup. It is the stage when teams from the EPL and the EFL Championship join the draw. It is famed for upset scorelines.
Oddsmakers also offer an intriguing possibility by making EPL side Norwich City the outsiders in their away tie against Preston North End.
At +210, Norwich are attractive with Preston favored at +118 and the draw again compelling at +235.
Two Home Defeats for PNE
Norwich are bottom of the Premier League. However, Preston have lost their last two matches in the Championship – both of them at home.
They were beaten 2-0 by Reading on December 29 and by the same scoreline against Middlesbrough on New Year’s Day.
They were among the leading promotion candidates earlier in the winter but have slipped to 10th place in the table after a run of four matches without a win.
Norwich are five points adrift of 19th-placed Watford at the wrong end of the EPL table.
Norwich have secured creditable draws in their last two EPL fixtures by 1-1 at home against Crystal Place on New Year’s day and before that, by 2-2 against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur.
However, the brand of attacking and attractive football they attempt to play under German coach Daniel Farke has won them much praise.
Peterborough United have rejected an initial approach from Preston North End for striker Ivan Toney. #pufc #pnefc #EFL_HUB pic.twitter.com/RXFs7ssiTF
— EFL HUB ⚜️ (@efl_hub) January 3, 2020
Norwich have secured creditable draws in their last two EPL fixtures by 1-1 at home against Crystal Palace on New Year’s day and before that, by 2-2 against Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur.
Pick: Norwich City +210
FA Cup Third Round Bournemouth vs Luton Town Odds
| Team | Spread | Moneyline | Total Odds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bournemouth | -1, -1½ -115 | -263 | Ov2½, 3 -118 |
| Luton Town | +1,+1½ -105 | +620 | Un2½,3 -102 |
| Draw | N/A | +210 | N/A |
Bournemouth of the EPL and Luton Town of the Championship are both in awful form. Their meeting could be considered ripe for one of the quirky results for which the FA Cup is famed.
As this is a weekend unique in the global game, a decision to back wide outsiders Luton would be in keeping with the adventurous spirit of the competition on Saturday, January 4, at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth, 12:31 pm EST.
Oddsmakers set Luton at a long +620 with Bournemouth at -263. The draw is an interesting +360.
One Win in 10 for Howe
Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth have won only once in their last ten EPL games and were thrashed 4-0 at West Ham United on New Year’s Day to sit in 18th place.
Luton are bottom of the 24-team Championship and have lost their last nine away matches.
But the FA Cup may be ready to cast its magic spell on their behalf.
Pick: Luton Town +620
John Dillon is a leading member of the UK's sporting media, having spent three decades as a national newspaper soccer and sports writer, broadcaster and author. He has covered five World Cups, six European Championships and was Chief Sports Writer at the Daily Express for 14 years.
