The 1st round of the FA Cup is upon us and this year’s first round draw has come up with some mouth-watering clashes. We preview seven of the big clashes (across two parts) whilst giving our score predictions for the other 26 matches involving Football League teams.
Wimbledon v Coventry (Friday) – Despite their 10 point deduction at the start of the season, Coventry currently sit three points off the League 1 play-off positions in 11th place and have been one of the best teams to watch in the Football League so far this season. Strikers Leon Clarke and Callum Wilson have been in fine form, with eleven goals each, and they could be the difference in their tie with Wimbledon. Despite a promising start to their League 2 campaign, the Dons have fallen away in recent weeks, and sit 15th, but an away win against Rochdale last weekend has set them up perfectly for this Friday’s tie. Score prediction: 0-2
Morecambe v Southend (Saturday) – Two teams fighting at the top of League 2; this match is set up to be a cracker. After a couple of poor results, Morecambe propelled themselves back into the top seven with an away win over Burton last weekend whilst Southend have had a very up and down season; winning 7, drawing 2 and losing 6. Both teams will be hopeful of a decent cup run to help supplement their league campaigns. Score prediction: 2-1
Oldham v Wolves (Saturday) – Oldham, who last season beat Nottingham Forest and Liverpool on their way to the fifth round, are sitting 17th in League 1 and have lost more games than they have won or drawn so far this season. Wolves currently sit 2nd in the League following a solid 2-2 draw away at Carlisle on Tuesday. When the teams met earlier in the season, Wolves won 2-0 so Oldham will be looking for revenge this weekend. Score prediction: 0-1
Peterborough v Exeter (Saturday) –Despite struggling in recent weeks, Peterborough sit 3rd in League 1 and have picked up some very impressive cup wins so far, most noticeably their 6-0 thrashing of Championship side Reading. Exeter have also slipped up in recent weeks even though they have been in impressive form this season, and sit 6th in League 2. This match is a chance for both teams to pick up a much needed, morale boosting win. Score prediction: 2-0
Friday
Bristol Rovers v York: 2-0
Saturday
Accrington v Tranmere: 1-0
Boreham Wood v Carlisle: 0-2
Braintree v Newport: 1-1
Brentford v Staines Town: 3-0
Bristol City v Dagenham & Redbridge: 2-1
Bury v Cambridge: 2-1
Chesterfield v Daventry: 3-0
Colchester v Sheffield United: 1-1
Gillingham v Brackley Town: 3-0
Gloucester City v Fleetwood: 0-4
Grimsby v Scunthorpe: 2-1
Hartlepool v Notts County: 2-1
