Millwall v Watford: Expect the Hornets to grab this opportunity

BBC One cover an early game on Sunday as Millwall and Watford meet in the FA Cup. We got Willie Duncan (@Willie_Duncan) to find a betting angle.

Millwall v Watford | Sunday 12:00 | BBC One

I'm a big fan of the FA Cup; like everyone else, I love seeing the minnows going toe-to-toe with the top teams and giving as good as they get – and, of course, sometimes more. That's why I was so disappointed to see AFC Bournemouth giving the competition such short shrift in the previous round.

Disappointed

I understand that the FA Cup is not a major priority for some teams from the top tier these days, but I was a bit disappointed by Eddie Howe's decision to change his entire starting line-up for the Cherries' third round trip to Millwall.

I'm happy to admit that I was gleeful when Bournemouth got exactly what they deserved against the Lions at the Den – a 3-0 mauling from Neil Harris' League One outfit.

Watford may have only been in one FA Cup final in their history – in 1984 under the stewardship of Graham Taylor – but I get the feeling that the Hornets respect the competition and, so, I expect that they'll be giving it all they've got on Sunday afternoon.

Strong side?

Walter Mazzarri's side have a poor record away from home, having won just one of their last nine matches on their travels, while the Hornets have had a shaky start to 2017, with their only win of the year so far coming against Burton Albion in the previous round of the competition.

For me, though, that isn't necessarily good news for Millwall; Watford will be desperate to seal a return to winning ways and, if Mazzarri names a strong side – not necessarily his strongest – then the Hornets are excellent value at 6/4 to do just that.

Troy Deeney and Odion Ighalo are expected to lead the line for the Premier League side in this tie and that duo proved pivotal to Watford's run to the semi-finals of this competition last season, where the Hornets succumbed to Crystal Palace at Wembley Stadium.

Head To Head

Watford have lost just one of their last 10 meetings with Millwall and Mazzarri's men look to be a solid selection to extend that impressive run with a win this weekend.

Millwall have had some success in this competition in relatively recent times, making the final in 2004 and the last four in 2013, but Harris' side will struggle to make much of an impact against a motivated Watford side on Sunday afternoon and the Hornets can ensure that it is their name in the proverbial hat for the fifth round draw by coming out on top in this tie.

Best Bets

Watford v Milwall – Watford to win (6/4 Bet Stars)