FA Cup 2015: Odds and Full Predictions for Remaining 3rd Round Fixtures
The third round of the 2014 FA Cup is in full swing, and as one might expect, Saturday's round of fixtures already produced its fair share of upsets and drama. The competition is set for more of the same in the coming days, a statement to the unpredictable nature of cup football in January.
The bulk of the Premier League teams will take to the pitch on Sunday, and four more matches will be played on Monday and Tuesday. Here's the schedule for the remaining third-round fixtures, complete with betting odds (courtesy of Oddschecker) and predictions:
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Dover (15/2) | Draw (15/4) | Crystal Palace (1/2) | Palace Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | QPR (4/5) | Draw (3/1) | Sheffield Utd (4/1) | QPR Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Sunderland (8/13) | Draw (16/5) | Leeds (11/2) | Sunderland Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Aston Villa (4/9) | Draw (4/1) | Blackpool (8/1) | Villa Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Man City (1/5) | Draw (7/1) | Sheffield Wednesday (18/1) | City Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Southampton (5/11) | Draw (15/4) | Ipswich (15/2) | Draw |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Stoke (2/11) | Draw (15/2) | Wrexham (22/1) | Stoke Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Yeovil (14/1) | Draw (13/2) | Man Utd (2/9) | United Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Chelsea (2/11) | Draw (7/1) | Watford (18/1) | Chelsea Wins |
| Sunday, Jan. 4 | Arsenal (4/11) | Draw (9/2) | Hull (9/1) | Arsenal Wins |
| Monday, Jan. 5 | Burnley (4/1) | Draw (29/10) | Tottenham (4/5) | Draw |
| Monday, Jan. 5 | Wimbledon (14/1) | Draw (6/1) | Liverpool (1/4) | Liverpool Wins |
| Tuesday, Jan. 6 | Everton (20/19) | Draw (14/5) | West Ham (3/1) | Draw |
| Tuesday, Jan. 6 | Scunthorpe (9/5) | Draw (5/2) | Chesterfield (8/5) | Chesterfield Wins |
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Southampton Must Be Wary of Ipswich Town
Southampton are buzzing after their big 2-0 win over Arsenal on New Year's Day, but Saints better be aware of the danger that lies ahead, as they'll be facing an Ipswich Town squad that has been in red-hot form of late.
The Tractor Boys sit second in the Championship standings, courtesy of an unbeaten run that started back in October. Yes, you read that right—Ipswich haven't lost a match in over two months.
This is not some lower-league team to gloss over—the Blues mean business, and with highly touted youngster Tyrone Mings returning to his former home, via The Telegraph, they'll be motivated to grab a result:
Ronald Koeman's first season in charge of Saints has been a massive success so far, and the Dutchman is already openly dreaming of managing a team in the FA Cup final, as reported by Sky Sports:
"When I was a young kid watching the FA Cup finals in Holland, it was always a special day and maybe if I have one of the dreams, then maybe it is a dream to be playing in an FA Cup final.
I spoke once to Ruud Gullit (about it), and he had one FA Cup final as the manager with Chelsea, and it was very special (for him).
But it is a long way to Wembley, we will have to beat a lot of teams, so it all starts on Sunday.
"
The last part of that statement is key. As of right now, there is nothing beyond Sunday. Ipswich are a solid team and look likely to earn promotion to the Premier League in 2015. Overlook the Blues at your own risk.
Regardless of Result, AFC Wimbledon are Winners
Forget about the importance of the FA Cup, Brendan Rodgers' job security or the need for Liverpool to start a run of results with a strong performance on Monday for a second.
Far more important is the fact their opponents at the Kingsmeadow, which seats less than 5,000, will be AFC Wimbledon. Yes, that club that was founded in 2002 after Wimbledon FC relocated to Milton Keynes. The supporter-owned team whose rise through the English football system has been a remarkable one.
The Guardian's David Conn recently dedicated an article to Monday's fixture, underlining the significance for the fans of the home club:
"The old club’s spirit is forever ingrained in football’s history at the pinnacle of their achievement: the 1988 FA Cup victory over Kenny Dalglish’s stellar Liverpool. The new club have already forged a story as remarkable in their way, starting out in the Combined Counties league in 2002 after the fans overwhelmingly rejected the FA-sanctioned 'franchise' of the club to Milton Keynes, then winning five promotions to clamber back to the Football League in 2011.
The FA Cup third-round draw which will on Monday bring Steven Gerrard’s Liverpool down to the 5,000 capacity Kingsmeadow stadium has bridged the two Wimbledons’ histories, although the fans insist it was never truly severed.
"
Let's be honest here; even with their recent struggles, the Reds are highly unlikely to lose this match. It would be quite the Cinderella story, indeed, if a League Two team knocked the mighty Liverpool out of the FA Cup at the very first hurdle.
But on Monday, the result will be secondary for fans of the home team. These fans have fought tooth and nail for their club, and less than 15 years after starting over again, the Dons will be welcoming Liverpool, of all clubs, to their ground.
That's just incredible, and for that fact alone, Wimbledon are winners. You can be damn sure the atmosphere will be absolutely electric on Monday.
