FA Cup 3pm Kick-Offs: Toffees can beat poor travellers QPR with daylight to spare Will Roberto Martinez keep on winning in the FA Cup? Will Roberto Martinez keep on winning in the FA Cup? Join today View market Mike Norman takes a look at the three all-Premier League FA Cup third round ties kicking off at 3pm on Saturday, and another three ties that see top-flight sides hosting high-flying Championship clubs... Everton 1.42 v QPR 9.4; The Draw 5.1 I would imagine that Everton will form part of many punters' multiples this weekend as they look banker material to win their third round tie with QPR when the two sides meet at Goodison Park. The thinking is that Harry Redknapp will rotate his squad, making them a weaker side than they generally are in the Championship, just like he did when they faced Swindon in the Capital One Cup. QPR's priority is by far an immediate return to the Premier League and I don't see any reason why Redknapp would risk an injury to one of his better players by starting them half-heartedly in this game. Roberto Martinez on the other hand will want to keep his unbeaten FA Cup run going - he won the trophy last season with Wigan - and I'm sure he will have one eye on winning the competition outright. Even allowing for some changes to personnel, the Toffess should be far too strong for their Championship opponents. They are strong at home whereas Opta tell us that QPR have won just one of their last eight games on the road. They've also lost seven ties in a row when they've faced a club from a higher division. A comfortable home win has to be the call. Recommended Bet: Back Everton -1 to Win @ 2.4 (best bet)
It's probably true, but I'd always take a cup run over a miserable 3rd or 4th round defeat. I can't remember what a cup run is like, though.
They should allocate a Champions League spot for the winners of the FA Cup. That would make everyone take it seriously at a stroke.
I like that...would make the cup more of a priority, and would give slightly lesser teams a chance of getting into Europe. Don't you already get a Europa League spot for winning it though?
You do Dave but I think a Europa spot is viewed as more of a hindrance than a prize these days. A CL spot is much more cherished.
Hitchcock will get a last minute equaliser forcing a replay (last thing we want, should have left him at Crewe)
I agree, but...... Still worth a day out for me and mate (Everton fan) - 400 mile round trip with a few sherbets in the dock tonite. Nothing to lose, everything to gain.
We beat them in 1st year of PL. They were all over us like a rash in second half but we held on. It's football, anyone can win so I would not write us off completely though I agree that to win might actually be unhelpful.
Not intrested in the cup. I love watchingg it but if we get an injury to Austin, Barton, Green ned etc..I'd be f-ing livid give the EDL team a run out at Goodisopn as experience !
But if you are a Championship Club or lower you don't get a Champions League spot, you get an automatic promotion to the next League division above you and the team that finished just above the normal relegation zone then gets relegated to allow the FA Cup winners their place for next season. The FA Cup Final takes place the Saturday after the final day of the Season resulting in a nervy week for the supporters of a couple of clubs. Carnage but it would add spice to the mix.
