Derby Could Make FA Cup History
There are 20 teams who could win the FA Cup this season and seven of those are in the Premier League and head the betting. There are currently seven representatives from the Championship still involved in the competition. No side from outside the top tier has won the Cup during the Premier Leaguer era. In fact the average finishing Premier League position of the winners of the trophy is four.
Wigan were the last team from outside the top six to win the Cup. They beat Manchester City in the final in 2013 but were also relegated. Despite some upsets in the earlier stages the cream always rises to the top in the Cup rounds that matter most. If a Championship club can make history it could be Frank Lampard’s DERBY who are 33/1 with Ladbrokes to win the FA Cup in 2018/19.
There are four fourth round replays tonight and the live TV match is Newport’s home tie against Middlesbrough. This meeting brings together hosts who are 14th in League Two and opponents who are fifth in the Championship. The winners will play Manchester City at home in the fifth round. Newport have lost just once in their last 14 fixtures and the priority for Boro is promotion to the Premier League.
Newport have done well at home against bigger teams in the Cup and beat Leeds last season on their own patch. Leeds are seven points better off than Middlesbrough in the Championship. County led Tottenham until a late Harry Kane goal turned the tie for the Premier League outfit. A win over Boro may be beyond them but Newport can take the replay to extra time and the DRAW is 5/2 with Betfair.
The freeze has relented which means there were no inspections planned for the jumps meeting at Market Rasen and the All Weather fixture at Newcastle. There is very little to get excited about today and the racing is at a low level. There is a Class 4 handicap over one mile at Newcastle (6.15) and the favourite is a course and distance winner. However, Executive Force is running in a better race and REY LOOPY is a better proposition at 13/8 with Ladbrokes.
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