Odds & Best Bets for FA Cup Third Round: Sunday, January 5, 2020
- The third round of the FA Cup kicks off this weekend and 11 matches kick off Sunday morning and afternoon
- The third round will see one of the more exciting fixtures in all of English football take place with Liverpool hosting Everton in the Merseyside Derby
- Two other key matches include Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest and Middlesbrough vs Tottenham Hotspur
England’s FA Cup Third Round begins this weekend and we’re breaking down three of the best bets to make for the matches on Sunday, January 5, 2020.
Liverpool vs Everton Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | -½ (+105) | +105 | Over 3, 3 ½ (+105) |
| Everton | +½ (-125) | +235 | Under 3, 3 ½ (-125) |
| Draw | N/A | +336 | N/A |
All odds taken on Jan. 3
In what finally could seem like a break for Jurgen Klopp and Liverpool, they have to host Everton of all teams in the third round of the FA Cup. You might as well throw your predicted game plan out the window because even though Klopp will want to rest players, this is a game the team and city will be dying to win for the bragging rights.
This will also be the first time Klopp has faced new Toffee manager, Carlo Ancelloti since his arrival on Merseyside. It is worth noting that the former Real Madrid manager is the only gaffer in the world to have beaten Liverpool last year and this year as well with his Napoli side.
Liverpool are obviously on a six-game win streak, with their only blunder coming against Aston Villa in the League Cup where they field a team of U23 players and lost 5-0. A defensive combination of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez have held five consecutive clean sheets in the Premier League as well, which is daunting for an Everton team that has a minus goal differential on the season.
In the reverse fixture, Liverpool hosted once again and walloped the Blues back across Stanley Park by a score of 5-2. Divock Origi was re-crowned the king of Merseyside, and Yerry Mina and Jordan Pickford are probably begging that he does not play on Sunday.
Best Bet: Divock Origi to Score (+500)
The best bet for this match is actually a prop bet; because none of the regular betting values are that worthwhile, and its a derby so crazy things always happen. With that being said, bettors should place their money on Divock Origi scoring a goal at +500. He is the second most likely goal-scorer and has put in five throughout his career against Everton.
Chelsea vs Nottingham Forest Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chelsea | -2½, -3 (+163) | -600 | Over 3 ½ , 4 (+118) |
| Nottingham Forest | +2½, +3 (-188) | +1200 | Under 3 ½ , 4 (-138) |
| Draw | N/A | +336 | N/A |
The second highlighted fixture is Chelsea hosting Nottingham Forest at Stamford Bridge. What is seen as a very “David vs Goliath” match-up, could be closer than most expect with Chelsea putting in a handful of shaky performances lately, losing to Southampton and drawing against Brighton.
Sunday's meeting with Nottingham Forest will be our third in as many seasons after wins in the Carabao Cup in 2017 and FA Cup in 2018, both at Stamford Bridge! 🔵🔴#CHEFOR
— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) January 3, 2020
Forest, on the other hand, are coming off three consecutive victories against Hull, Wigan, and Blackburn and will be looking to extend their good run of form. Historically, Forest have lost their past five games when traveling to London to face the Blues which is not a great sign for the Championship side.
Best Bet: The Spread on Nottingham Forest (-188)
While it is safe to say Nottingham Forest will probably not win the match, there is faith to be had that they can put in a shift and cover the spread, especially with Chelsea fumbling.
Middlesbrough vs Tottenham Odds
| Teams | Spread | Moneyline | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Middlesbrough | +1 (-123) | +400 | Over 3 (+124) |
| Tottenham | -1 (+103) | -167 | Under 3 (-144) |
| Draw | N/A | +336 | N/A |
Another interesting matchup pinning the Premier League up against a Championship side is Middlesbrough vs Tottenham. Similar to the Chelsea match, Tottenham have only retrieved two wins from six games, while Middlesbrough have won their past four. It is also a key note, that Harry Kane will be sitting out of the match after he pulled his hamstring against Southampton in the Premier League.
You can already start to see Jose Mourinho’s frustration building, making it ever the more interesting to put the pressure on him in an FA Cup weekend. A crazy statistic for Spurs shows that they have advanced 38 out of 40 FA Cup ties when the other team is not in the Premier League. This game might not be as much who wins, but by how much.
🎙️ Watch Jose's pre-Middlesbrough press conference in full on YouTube. 👇#THFC ⚪️ #COYS
— Tottenham Hotspur (@SpursOfficial) January 3, 2020
Best Bet: Over 3 (+124)
Going with the unfavored “Over” bet in this match is the best way to spend your money. The bet has good value, and I truly believe that it is time for Jose to start shaping his product on the pitch. Whether he does that with or without Harry Kane does not matter, Tottenham are due to start scoring goals. Not to mention Middlesbrough has put two away in each of their last two, so they could easily add to the scoreline and help it get to four or over.
Josh Ricker is a freelance sports journalist, currently attending the University of Southern Maine (Bachelor of Science in Sports Management and Marketing). He has recently interned with the AA Portland Sea Dogs, and his work has been featured on Fansided, as well as now here on SBD.
