IT'S Third Round replay midweek in the FA Cup. We asked Chris Graham (@chrisgraham79) to give us his two best bets outside the live match.
Chesterfield v Scunthorpe | Tuesday 19:45
If I was a chairman of a modest Football League club I'd definitely have Mark Robins as my manager. The former Norwich and Manchester United striker has always impressed me wherever he's managed and the guy has suffered some unfair sackings in his time in my opinion.
Scunthorpe appointed him in October last year and it was no surprise to see him turn the losing ship around very quickly. Before his arrival, the Iron sat in 23rd place in the League One table, they're now up in 17th.
That's no surprise when you read his figures of P14 W7 D6 L1 for this (let's be honest) unfashionable League One side. Four wins in their last six games adds more kudos to Robins and they'll go into this replay with grit and confidence.
Chesterfield dominated the first match last Tuesday and Paul Cook is another manager with stock very high at present. Not many would have thought his side would be just one point off the play-offs at this particular time of the season. One defeat in 12 matches speaks volumes for the direction they're taking and they deserve to be favourites in this match.
But how can you confidently oppose Scunthorpe at the moment? How can you not take a second glance at the 4/1 that Bet365 have priced them up at? Robins has installed real belief in this team and you take them on at your peril.
I've got mucho respect for Chesterfield but I'll get involved with Scunthorpe from a price point of view. Ladbrokes are 11/10 on the Iron with a goal start. As long as they avoid 90 minute defeat I get paid out.
Wolves v Fulham | Tuesday 19:45
See that form book? Chuck it out the window. One of my betting alarms has just rang very loudly and it's telling me to back Fulham.
Apart from the absurd situation at Christmas and New Year, it's very rare for sides to play two games within a 48 hour period. During the festive season all sides do it, so there's a real sense of synchronicity.
That's not the case on Tuesday where Fulham have an extra days rest over Wolves. Kenny Jacket's side enjoyed a 1-0 win over Blackburn on Sunday afternoon and now have to reappear just over 48 hours later in this Cup replay. Hardly ideal.
I wish I had time to go through hours of research proving to you why opposing clubs playing two games in two days is a profitable strategy but I simply don't have the time at the moment. You'll just have to trust me.
Yes, Wolves are the form team. Yes, Fulham are on a bad run. But it's strategy first, form second for me here. I'll back Fulham to qualify at 7/4 with Paddy Power. If this match goes to extra-time then the toil on the Wolves players will be even harder!
Best Bets
Chesterfield v Scunthorpe – Scunthorpe +1 (11/10 Ladbrokes)
Wolves v Fulham – Fulham to qualify (7/4 Paddy Power)
