Three teams that shouldn’t let you down on your accumulator this weekend, even if it is the FA Cup!
CHESTERFIELD TO BEAT DAVENTRY
The Spireites have somewhat lost their mojo in recent weeks; they haven’t won in their previous seven outings, a dismal run that began with a 1-0 defeat at the hands of their bitter rivals, Mansfield.
However, Paul Cook’s men haven’t yet slipped out of the top three, and will feel that Saturday’s cup tie against the competitions lowest ranked team will be a great chance to get back to winning ways.
Daventry have only lost one league game thus far, and currently sit 4th in the Calor League Division One Central, but will go top if they win their games in hand. Top scorer Ashley Robinson has 14 goals already so far this campaign; he will provide the biggest threat to the Chesterfield rearguard.
Don’t be fooled by recent form, because Cook is likely to field a very strong starting XI as his troops search for that elusive win. The home side will be expected to show the quality that propelled them to the summit of League Two, and that should be enough to see them through.
Key player: Gary Roberts
Prediction: Chesterfield 2-0 Daventry
LEYTON ORIENT TO BEAT SOUTHPORT
Skrill Premier outfit Southport have been handed the toughest tie possible, as they travel to Brisbane Road to face the highest ranked team in the tournament, Leyton Orient.
The O’s have set the pace so far in League One; they sit top of the table with 12 wins from 15, with their only defeat coming at the hands of free scoring Coventry City.
The victory at Peterborough last time out really sent out a warning to the rest of the division, that Russell Slade’s men can be considered as genuine promotion contenders. The untouchable strike force of David Mooney and Kevin Lisbie has yielded 21 goals already this term, so all the early signs are there for the London club to really kick on this season.
Meanwhile, Southport haven’t pulled up any trees this season in the Conference, but sit in a reasonably comfortable 16th place. The Sandgrounders do have a little bit of history in the FA Cup; they were defeated 5-2 at Haig Avenue by Sheffield Wednesday on ITV in the FA Cup first round three years ago.
Overconfidence could be an issue, but I fancy Orient to extend their fantastic run of form on their own back yard comfortably.
Key player: Dean Cox
Prediction: Orient 4-0 Southport
BRENTFORD TO BEAT STAINES
After an unexpected shaky and concerning start, Brentford have won four games in a row and have returned to the top six with wins against Colchester, Bristol City, Shrewsbury and Crawley.
They take on Staines at Griffin Park, who are currently mid-table in the sixth tier of English football, and are on a decent mini-run of three games unbeaten. Striker Louie Theophanus has 13 goals to his name, so the Bees’ back line could be in for a rather difficult afternoon.
Uwe Rosler has been going about his business quietly, ever since the men from London agonisingly missed out on promotion last season, and you would fancy his team to ease past their Middlesex opponents.
Key Player: Adam Forshaw
Prediction: Brentford 5-1 Staines
