Woking v Watford
FA Cup – 2.00 pm
BT Sport
Woking are the lowest ranked side left in the FA Cup this season. They are five divisions below Premier League side Watford and with a massive task on their hands in this third round tie. The visiting Hornets are naturally strong odds-on favourites to get the win in this one. This will be the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. Watford are on a seven-match scoring streak across all competitions at the moment. Their superior scoring threat is likely to see them get through this tie.
But they are facing a Working side who have been far from goal shy this season. I think that that is where the tie could get interesting. Ultimately while the underdogs could see their FA Cup dreams ended, the bookmakers seem to recognise their chance of getting on the scoresheet at least. Both teams to score with leading bookmakers is 21/20 odds which I feel, is something of a complement to the non-leaguers. Watford after all, have taken only the one clean sheet in their last six fixtures. Will the Premier League’s professionalism see them avoid the potential banana skin?
Newport v Leicester
FA Cup – 4.30 pm
BBC1
Newport had to get past fellow Welsh outfit Wrexham in the last round of the FA Cup. The Exiles needed a replay to do that. They won that replay comfortably on home soil though. The Exiles haven’t been carrying a tremendous amount of form with them lately as they have won only one of their last eight in all competitions. That lone win was their 4-0 replay triumph over Wrexham. But as a positive, they have lost just one of their last eleven at Rodney Parade.
The Foxes come for a visit as 1/3 odds-on favourites for the tie. Considering that the Premier League side are taking on an opponent from League Two and not only that, the team with the third-worst defensive record in that division, the Foxes will be expected to find their name in the draw for the Fourth Round of the FA Cup. Strengthening the case for Leicester is their recent EPL victories against Chelsea and Man City. Will the Exiles be able to come up with something special on home soil to pull off a huge upset at 9/1 odds?
Wasps v Northampton
Premiership Rugby – 3.00 pm
BT Sport
There is only the one point separating Wasps and the Saints in the Premiership heading into the weekend. This game always has a little extra spice as it is a local derby. It is the Saints who have the slight ascendancy there. It is home soil advantage for the Wasps on the weekend as they look for a bit of a boost. They have managed to pick up only the one win in their last thirteen games across all competitions. That was a home win though which they took against Bristol, one of two successes at home this season in the top flight.
Since that victory over Bristol, they have lost their last five games in all tournaments and have been shy in scoring points. But the leading bookmakers have them as 4/9 odds-on favourites to win this. That just goes to show the advantage of playing at home. The Saints collected a home win over Wasps earlier in the season and that ended a seven-match winless streak that they were on against them. The Saints have caught fire lately with a three-match winning streak going. They became the first side to beat Exeter this season with a 31-28 win over the Chiefs last weekend. Can they keep their hot hand going against their rivals in this fascinating clash?
Philadelphia Eagles at Chicago Bears
NFL NFC Wild Card – 9:40 pm
Sky Sports
The post-season has been made then, but which of the Eagles and the Bears will launch themselves further into it? The winner of this NFC Wildcard match will get to face Conference second-seeds the LA Rams in the Divisional Round of the playoffs. This is the fourth time that the Eagles and Bears have met in the postseason, but their first since 2001. The Eagles got the win on that occasion and they have been on top in recent clashes.
Philadelphia have won each of the last three regular-season meetings between the two sides, conceding just 28 points in those three games. So they are looking to extend their streak but are 9/4 underdogs at the top bookmakers to pull off the away win. The Eagles carry big momentum with them too, having won five of their last six games and they are the reigning Super Bowl champions. But the Bears have a strong defence and they won their division for the first time since 2010. Just to highlight their improvement, they finished the regular season with seven more wins than the previous campaign. Will they be able to successfully defend home soil?
