FA Cup Tips & Predictions
WHEN I was a kid growing up watching 1970’s football action, our FA Cup was the world’s greatest knockout competition.
But nowadays, Premier League clubs tend not to put so much emphasis on this fine tournament.
So the real FA Cup magic lies with plucky Non-League participants creating screaming national newspaper headlines courtesy of giantkilling exploits against higher opposition.
Therefore excitement is abundant approaching the weekend’s First Round Proper ties.
A throng of resolute Non-League outfits have battled through the various qualifying stages and consequently enjoy deserved opportunities to grapple distinguished League One and Two teams.
And winning sides will be one hurdle away from the Third Round Proper where those illustrious Premier League big boys enter the draw.
Here are the matches I am looking forward to most over the coming days alongside my considered score predictions…
FRIDAY 1ST NOVEMBER 2024
Tamworth v Huddersfield Town
(7.45pm kick-off, live on BBC Two)
Rankings: 16th in the National League versus 7th in EFL League One
Pointers: Tamworth are winless in their last two League games. They haven’t reached the FA Cup Second Round beyond 2013/14.
Huddersfield Town won the FA Cup in 1922 edging Preston North End 1-0 in the Final at Stamford Bridge. Current form sees the Terriers on a four match unbeaten League run incorporating three victories.
Score prediction: Tamworth terrific 2-1.
SATURDAY 2ND NOVEMBER 2024
Hednesford Town v Gainsborough Trinity
(3pm)
Rankings: 16th in Northern Premier League West Division versus 20th in Northern Premier League Premier Division
Pointers: Hednesford Town are the lowest ranked team left in the FA Cup playing at tier eight nationally. They started out in the FA Cup Extra-Preliminary Round this season triumphing 4-1 at Racing Club Warwick back on Saturday 3rd August.
Gainsborough compete one step above and haven’t advanced to the FA Cup Second Round since 1952/53 when they surrendered 2-1 away to Newport County.
Incidentally, Trinity were members of the Football League from 1896 until 1912.
Score prediction: Hednesford hallelujah 3-2.
Rushall Olympic v Accrington Stanley
(3pm)
Rankings: 23rd in National League North versus 20th in EFL League Two
Pointers: Gracing the Walsall area, Rushall Olympic feature in the FA Cup First Round for the very first time in their history. Yet current fortunes are poor producing three straight League defeats.
Accrington Stanley haven’t won in two League outings superseding three consecutive victories.
Score prediction: Olympic flame 1-0.
Northampton Town v Kettering Town
(5.30pm kick-off, live on BBC Two)
Rankings: 18th in EFL League One versus 1st in Southern League Premier Central
Pointers: Northampton Town possess two wins in four ongoing League games. The Cobblers’ previous FA Cup Second Round involvement was in 2019/20.
Travelling just 17 miles for a Northamptonshire derby, Kettering Town last faced Northampton Town in the FA Cup at their old Rockingham Road ground on 18th November 1989.
Dean Thomas scored to seal the Cobblers’ 1-0 conquest before 6,100 spectators. The contemporary Kettering have only lost twice in Southern League endeavours all season.
By the way, they are the all-time FA Cup leading scorers on 920 goals – nine ahead of Tottenham Hotspur – according to @FACupFactfile.
Score prediction: Kettering kick on 2-1.
SUNDAY 3RD NOVEMBER 2024
Sutton United v Birmingham City
(12.30pm kick-off, live on ITV1)
Rankings: 12th in National League versus 1st in EFL League One
Pointers: Sutton United currently nurse one League victory from four in regrouping following EFL relegation. I can still visualise their glorious FA Cup Third Round success 2-1 at home to Coventry City whilst a Non-League side in 1989.
Top flight Sky Blues had lifted the FA Cup just 19 months beforehand. Roared on by a boisterous capacity crowd of 8,000 packed into Gander Green Lane, Matthew Hanlan volleyed the decider for Sutton on 59 minutes.
Also recovering from relegation, Birmingham City are three points clear at the top of League One where they’ve only lost once in 2024/25.
All credit to former Tottenham Hotspur senior assistant coach Chris Davies who was unveiled as Birmingham’s new boss in June.
The signing of Fulham’s Jay Stansfield on 30th August was worth up to £15 million thereby shattering the League One transfer record fee. Retrospectively, Blues were FA Cup runners-up in 1930/31 and 1955/56.
Score prediction: Sutton surprise 4-3.
MONDAY 4TH NOVEMBER 2024
Chesham United v Lincoln City
(7.15 pm kick-off, live on ITV4)
Rankings: 10th in National League South versus 5th in League One
Pointers: Chesham United have won their past two League engagements extending a three match unbeaten sequence. They last progressed to the FA Cup Second Round in 2015/16 eventually bowing out 4-0 at Bradford City.
Lincoln City boast two League wins on the spin. The Imps’ best ever FA Cup achievement was in attaining the Quarter-Finals as recently as 2016/17.
Score prediction: Chesham comfortable 2-0.
Free FA Cup Predictions Today
The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious competition in world football, with millions of fans around the world tuning in each year to see which team lifts the famous trophy.
Punters can find the latest FA Cup betting odds ahead of each round here at 888sport – and the outright winner market will change drastically throughout the tournament.
One of the main reasons for that is due to the uncertainty of the FA Cup draw. As is the case with all cup competitions, the draw has a major impact on results.
From the best FA Cup facts to the competition's greatest moments, this tournament has a unique affinity with football supporters across the land. While greater emphasis is now placed on Europe, the FA Cup remains one of the top targets for the biggest clubs in England.
FA Cup Betting Tips
The ‘David vs Goliath’ nature of the FA Cup is what grips viewers and we’ve seen many ‘cupsets’ over the years, none bigger than Hereford United’s victory over Newcastle United in 1972.
FA Cup predictions can be made at any stage of the season, with the general outlook of the competition changing with each round and FA Cup result.
Find the latest FA Cup draw, fixtures and results information on the 888sport website ahead of each round. Every match is vital in the race to reach Wembley Stadium.
The FA Cup is one of the competitions that every supporter wants to win. While the magic of the cup has waned in recent times, it is still important to football fans across the country.
FA Cup Round Predictions
Punters can find the best FA Cup betting tips and odds here at 888sport throughout the competition. Who will be celebrating at Wembley Stadium in May? Only time will tell...
Our football betting experts are here with the best FA Cup tips for today. With the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal prominent in FA Cup betting, the top Premier League clubs are in the mix for success.
While the FA Cup can throw up the odd sports betting shock, FA Cup predictions are often more straightforward than Premier League predictions. Find the best free FA Cup tips here today.
*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*
*Odds correct at the time of writing - subject to change*
