FA Cup Acca Tips and Predictions: First Round Shocks

The best cup competition in the world returns this week with Matthew O’Regan preparing a selection of FA Cup acca tips and predictions. Fifteen non-league teams play at home, while 18 play away. We look at three home teams who may cause issues for sides higher up in the leagues. 

• Worthing vs Morecambe: Worthing +0.5
• Hednesford vs Gainsborough Trinity: Hednesford +0.5
• Curzon Ashton vs Mansfield Town: Curzon Ashton +1.5 Asian Handicap

Worthing vs Morecambe : Ravishing Rebels

England, FA Cup , Saturday, November 2nd, 15:00 (UK) 

National League South promotion chasers Worthing host League Two relegation battlers Morecambe at Woodside Road, with the hosts full of confidence. Back-to-back playoff finishes saw manager Adam Hinshelwood poached by National League side York City. 

Hastings United manager Chris Agutter was hired as his replacement and the 41-year-old seems the perfect fit for the Worthing DNA. Agutter has shown trust in youth and has his side playing front-foot, attacking football. 

The Rebels currently sit eighth in the league with games in hand over half of the teams above them, despite Worthing playing eight of their 13 games away from home. 

Now that the development work at Woodside Road has been completed, a bumper crowd is expected on the South Coast. Worthing will have no fear and their exciting trio of Jack Spong, Danny Cashman and Muhammadu Faal should have plenty of joy against a Morecambe side that have conceded 11 goals in their last three games. 

The Shrimps currently sit bottom of League Two with just seven points after a tumultuous summer that saw massive upheaval, including the appointment of Derek Adams for his third spell at the Mazuma Mobile Stadium. 

Away from home, Morecambe have struggled, losing five of their seven games. Their only four points have come from local derbies against Fleetwood and Barrow. 

While there are two leagues between the sides at the moment, next season could see the sides face off in the league. Worthing’s potent attack, bumper crowd and 4G pitch could cause issues for Morecambe. 

• Selection: Worthing Double Chance (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.90
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Hednesford vs Gainsborough Trinity: Heroic Hednesford

England, FA Cup, Saturday,  November 2nd , 15:00 (UK) 

Two of the lowest-ranked sides left in the FA Cup in Hednesford and Gainsborough Trinity face off at Keys Park. 

Hednesford, who are in the eighth tier, are the lowest-ranked side left in the competition. Including replays, The Pitmen have so far played nine games in this season’s FA Cup, including  defeating National League side Gateshead away from home in the fourth qualifying round replay. 

Hednesford were close to folding 16 months ago but now embark on a new era under wealthy investors. Steve King’s side currently sit 13th in the Northern West Premier Division but have a significant number of games in hand on those above them. With the money invested into the club, they should be right up at the top end of the league come May. 

Gainsborough Trinity currently play one tier above their visitors in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, sat third bottom. Like Hednesford, Trinity shocked National League opposition in the fourth qualifying round, beating local rivals Boston United 0-4 in a replay. Russ Wilcox side have struggled on the road, picking up just seven points.

There is not much to separate the side, with the hosts having the advantage at Keys Park.

• Selection: Hednesford Double Chance (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 2.00
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

Curzon Ashton vs Mansfield: Relishing Round One

England, FA Cup, Sunday, November 3rd , 14:00 (UK) 

Sunday sees joint top of the National League North Curzon Ashton host League One Mansfield. 

Craig Mahon has assembled an exciting young team and they boast an impressive defensive record, conceding just 10 goals in 13 games. At home, The Nash have kept four clean sheets and come into this game on the back of a 4-0 win over pre-season title favourites Chester. 

Curzon will relish the chance to test themselves at home to League One calibre. 

Mansfield won promotion last season, joining heavy-hitters Stockport County and Wrexham in League One. Nigel Clough’s side have had a stellar start to the season and sit fourth. Of their 12 games, The Stags have only cleared the +1.5 handicap on three occasions, while Curzon have cleared this in all bar one game, including every home game. 

Mahon will keep it tight from minute one, so Mansfield may struggle to blow away The Nash.

• Selection: Curzon Ashton +1.5 Asian Handicap (TRACKED BET)
• Best Odds: 1.85
• Bookmaker: bet365
• Stake: 10/10

FA Cup Acca Tips and Predictions Odds via bet365 as at 12:00 October 28th, 2024. Odds may now differ.

Safer Gambling

At bettingexpert, we always take a safe approach to gambling. We’ll never bet more than we can afford or chase losses. For more advice, head to our Safer Gambling hub.