FA Cup 3rd Round Replays (12/01-13/01)

Coventry City v Portsmouth
Birmingham City v Nottingham Forest
Bristol City v Cardiff City
Derby County v Millwall
Queens Park Rangers v Sheffield United
Liverpool v Reading


Tuesday, January 12

Coventry City v Portsmouth
Team news: Coventry City - Barnett (inelegible), Madine (ineligible), Baker (cup-tied), Deegan (ineligible), Gunnarsson (doubtful) -- Portsmouth - Kanu (Int. duty), Yebda (Int. duty), Belhadj (Int. duty), Dindane (Int. duty), O'Hara (ineligible), James (IN)

Verdict: Following their 1-1 draw at Fratton Park 10 days ago, these two sides meet again at the Ricoh Arena. Coventry City are currently one of the form sides of the Coca Cola League, winning 4 of their past 5 league games including 3 straight wins at the Ricoh. Portsmouth's off-field and on-field woes continue as huge debts, a transfer embargo and poor form hang over the 2008 FA Cup winners.

One advantage that Portsmouth does have for this game is that Coventry City played 3 days ago whereas the Pompey game against Fulham was postponed. A packed Ricoh Arena though should drive the Coventry City team to get over any lasting fatigue from their 3-1 win over Barnsley. Portsmouth's away form in the Premier League of 1-2-7 is nothing short of abysmal so a trip to an in form Coca Cola League side is by no means a walk over. Coventry City manager, Chris Coleman, has emphasised that building on their best run of results for the season is paramount so I sense a confident and motivated home side here.

Pick: Coventry City +0.25 @1.90 (sbobet, 6 units)
Coventry City 1 - 1 Portsmouth

Birmingham City v Nottingham Forest
Team news: Birmingham City - Carsley (OUT), Vignal (OUT), Parnaby (OUT), Michel (ineligible), McSheffrey (IN) -- Nottingham Forest - Earnshaw (doubtful), Shorey (ineligible)

Verdict: Two in form teams in their respective divisions clash again just 10 days after their scoreless draw at The City Ground. Nottingham Forest's impressive 1-3 defeat of West Bromwich Albion stretched their unbeaten record to 18 whereas Birmingham City's equally impressive 1-1 draw against Manchester United was their 13th consecutive game without defeat.

Nottingham Forest had the perfect opportunity to progress in the first leg, playing at home against a Birmingham City side who made 6 changes to their starting 11. Earnshaw wasted their best opportunity with a penalty miss. Birmingham City manager, Alex McLeish, has hinted that he will field a much stronger side here, "We had a couple of enforced changes that day with the suspension and a few niggles, but we don't anticipate any problems ahead of this one.". Despite their fine run of form, Nottingham Forest have managed only 2 wins in their last 7 games on their travels. Sitting pretty in 8th position in the EPL and 15pts above the relegation zone, Birmingham City should see this as a perfect opportunity to go on a long FA Cup run so I believe McLeish will have his players motivated for this one.

Pick: Birmingham City -0.25AH @1.72 (188bet, 7 units)
Birmingham City 1 - 0 Nottingham Forest

Wednesday, 13 January

Liverpool v Reading
Team news: Liverpool - Agger (IN) -- Reading - Griffin (ineligible), Thorvaldsson (ineligible), Matejovsky (doubtful)

Verdict: Following a solid finish to 2009 with wins over Wolverhampton and Aston Villa, Liverpool were held at the Madejski Stadium by lowly Coca Cola League side, Reading. Reading currently lie in 21st position, just 2pts off the relegation zone so it just goes to show how the FA Cup can motivate teams to produce a once off, remarkable result.

Following their League Cup exit at the hands of Arsenal, Liverpool must see this as their most likely source of silverware, together with that of the Europa League, to appease their fans in what has been a dismal season to date. It has been rumoured that Benitez is choosing his strongest available squad which emphasises just this point. I feel that Reading missed their opportunity to cause a major upset at the Madejski and a result at Anfield is unlikely.

Pick: Liverpool -1.75AH @1.92 (pinnacle, 6 units)
Liverpool 1 - 1 Reading