It is FA Cup third round weekend and Saturday throws up a whole host of interesting ties, but we will take a look at the trio of games which sees three Premier League sides running the risk of an early exit at the hands of Championship opposition.
BIRMINGHAM v WOLVES (12.30pm)
The early kick-off at St Andrew’s on Saturday see Chris Hughton’s Birmingham looking to take the scalp of their Midlands rivals and Premier League strugglers Wolves.
It would not be a major shock if the Blues did come out on top given that they lifted the Carling Cup and were amongst England’s elite last season before being relegated on the final day of the campaign in May.
Wolves escaped the drop courtesy of a better goal difference and have continued to struggle in the Premier League this season.
Therefore, the Blues will no doubt fancy their chances of some revenge here, as they welcome back fit-again duo Jordon Mutch and Liam Ridgewell, given that they are unbeaten in 11 games on home soil and have lost once in front of their own fans all season to date.
Wolves boss Mick McCarthy, who has not seen his side win in their last six league and cup games, could make several changes as his priority is Premier League survival.
Therefore, newcomers Emmanuel Frimpong and Eggert Jonsson may get a start, but Nenad Milijas is still missing as he will serve the third game of a three-match ban.
Wolves have only won away twice this term – in their opening two matches on the road at Blackburn and in the Carling Cup against Northampton – so Birmingham will feel they are there for the taking.
However, when the sides last met in the FA Cup in January 2009, it was Wolves who came out on top at St Andrews 2-0.
A tight game awaits, but with home advantage for Birmingham, we feel the Championship side could come out on top here.
Prediction: Home 90 Minutes @ 11/8
Value Bet: Marlon King 1st Goal Birmingham 2-1 Scorecast @ 35/1
NORWICH V BURNLEY (3pm)
Paul Lambert’s Canaries will be looking to take their good Premier League form into this cup clash against Eddie Howe’s Clarets, who have also been in decent form of late in the Championship.
However, Norwich have not got history on their side having only progressed past the third round once in the past eight seasons, with Leyton Orient coming out on top at Carrow Road 12 months ago.
Lambert is still without full-back Marc Tierney and on-loan Manchester United defender Ritchie De Laet due to respective injury problems, while loan man Kyle Naughton is ineligible.
But the chances are the City chief will hand several of his senior players the weekend off following a hectic festive fixture programme.
That could allow Burnley an opportunity to spring a surprise result as Howe is set to be without the banned full-back Kieran Trippier and injured defender Michael Duff for the trip to Norfolk.
The two sides have never met in the FA Cup before, but Burnley are unbeaten in their previous four league matches, while as for recent form, they have won six of their last eight Championship games so will be confident.
The game could hinge on how many changes Lambert elects to make as Burnley would be capable of winning the match if the Canaries are weakened too much.
But we will give him the benefit of the doubt when he said earlier in the week that he would be sending out an XI he feels can see them through to the fourth round draw.
Prediction: Home 90 Minutes @ 10/11
Value Bet: Burnley/Norwich HT /FT @ 25/1
WEST BROM V CARDIFF (3pm)
A cracking game lies in wait at the Hawthorns as an inconsistent West Brom side go up against Malky Mackay’s high-flying Championship side for the right to progress to FA Cup round four.
Roy Hodgson’s Baggies go into the game without a win or goal in their last three Premier League outings, while they will also be wary of the fact that they have crashed out of the FA Cup against Cardiff’s Championship rivals Reading in the previous two seasons.
Add to that an injury crisis for the hosts, with Chris Brunt, Zoltan Gera, Shane Long, Steven Reid, Jonas Olsson, Jerome Thomas, James Morrison and Youssouf Mulumbu all set to miss out, and Cardiff will be scenting an upset.
The 2008 finalists also have a good recent record against Albion with two wins and three draws in their last five encounters.
Mackay should be boosted by the return of Kevin McNaughton after a calf injury so Craig Conway might have to settle for a place on the bench along with Stephen McPhail and former West Brom striker Robert Earnshaw.
The only conundrum for Mackay is that his side have a Carling Cup semi-final first leg tie against Crystal Palace coming up on Tuesday and that could well affect his team selection plans for this tie.
It is difficult to choose between he two sides and, while neither side will want one, we can see a possible replay on the cards.
Prediction: Draw 90 Minutes @ 11/4
Value Bet: 2-2 Correct Score @ 14/1
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