The big guns swing into action in the FA Cup this weekend and we take a look at 3 of the matches taking place in the 3^rd Round and suggest a bet in each.

FRIDAY

ASTON VILLA v LIVERPOOL this fixture is in doubt at the time of posting due to Covid19

Aston Villa are coming off a defeat to Manchester United in the League, but prior to that they were unbeaten in 5 EPL matches. They currently sit 8^th on the log while maintaining and perhaps even improving their high position will be important they will no doubt be eyeing out a FA Cup run.

Liverpool are still top of the English Premier League, but only on goal difference over Manchester United who have a game in hand. They have only taken 2 points from the last 9 they have played for and they have only scored 1 goal in their last 3 matches. With European Champions League action around the corner, Klopp will surely be tempted to go in with a team of mainly fringe players and this could leave them vulnerable.

Aston Villa hosted Liverpool in the League earlier this season and it threw out one of the shock results of all time with a 7-2 win over the Champions.

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Aston Villa 22/10

Draw 27/10

Liverpool 23/20

Suggested Bet: Aston Villa win at 22/10

I think that of the 2 teams Aston Villa are going to want this win more and although he will take criticism for it, deep down I think the Liverpool manager would be relieved to go out of the FA Cup so he can focus on bigger prizes.

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SATURDAY

MANCHESTER UNITED v WATFORD

United are travelling well in the English Premier League, level on points with Liverpool at the top of the table and with a game in hand. They did lose to neighbours, Manchester City, in the Caribao Cup in midweek, but prior to that had won 5 of their 6 matches played in all competitions.

Watford were relegated from the English Premier League last season and have lost 2 of their last 3 matches, slipping down the table to currently sit 6^th in the Championship. They are a team known to go on FA Cup runs and will be banking on Manchester United perhaps resting key players.

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Manchester United 7/20

Draw 17/4

Watford 15/2

Suggested Bet: Under 2.5 goals at 13/10

Watford games have tended to be low scoring with 7 of the 8 Championship matches delivering for under 2.5 goal backers and although they now play Manchester United, I am not convinced that United will be at the top of their game for this one.

SUNDAY

MARINE FC V TOTTENHAM

The beauty of the FA Cup 3^rd Round is that it throws up some very unlikely matches and none more so than this one.

Marine FC plays in the Northern Premier Division 1, North West Section a far cry from their Merseyside neighbours, Everton and Liverpool. This is the 2^nd time they have reached the 3^rd Round of the FA Cup and their last appearance was back in the 1992/93 season. They have had to work hard to reach the 3^rd Round requiring extra time and penalties in their last 2 matches and they go into this game as massive underdogs priced at 42/1 at the time of writing.

Tottenham are coming off a 3-0 victory over Leeds in the EPL and currently sit 4^th on the table, 4 points behind leaders, Liverpool, but with a game in hand. They also beat Brentford 2-0 in the Caribao Cup in midweek.

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Marine FC 42/1

Draw 20/1

Tottenham 1/50

Suggested Bet: Under 4.5 goals at 12/10

Tottenham have been priced as good things here and I have no doubt they will win the game. Whether they will score 5 goals now is another question and I have seen many of these 3^rd Round clashes prove a lot closer than the bookies expect as the underdogs throw everything into the events and conditions are generally far from what the big dogs are used to.

Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change