CAN Non-League Concord Rangers cause an FA Cup first round shock against Mansfield? Mark O’Haire (@MarkOHaire) looks at the best bets available.
Concord Rangers v Mansfield Town | Tuesday 19.45
After three-and-a-half years of service Paul Cox left Mansfield Town last Friday after a dire run of nine games without a win. That spell included a 1-1 draw at home to Conference South side Concord Rangers in the FA Cup.
Despite bringing the Stags back into the Football League, Cox had left supporters disillusioned with a one-dimensional game plan that produced precious few goalscoring opportunities.
Assistant coach Adam Murray took charge of the Stags’ League Two fixture with in-form Plymouth on Saturday and guided the Nottinghamshire side to a vital three points and a hugely improved performance. And I believe that result could kick-start Mansfield’s season.
The away side are rated as 37/40 favourites with BetVictor to progress inside 90 minutes of this FA Cup first round replay and that’s where my money’s going.
Concord sit 15th in the Conference South with a W5-D5-L5 record and were beaten 1-0 by struggling Wealdstone on Saturday. One eye on the cup? Perhaps.
Although it was only their second loss in 16, the Beach Boys are arguably the smallest side in the sixth-tier, managed and coached by brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley.
With regular crowds averaging around 250, the visit of rejuvenated Mansfield will prove a big test of character and ability to the part-time hosts and with the visitors close to even-money from BetVictor, it’s too good to turn down.
Best Bets
Concord Rangers v Mansfield – Mansfield to win 37/40 (BetVictor)
