Midweek FA Cup Tipsheet: Tractor Boys to roll over Pompey

Aston Villa 1.44 v Wycombe 9.00; The Draw 4.60

Aston Villa have performed only slighty better in recent weeks though their result suggest they have improved bundles given that they are now on their longest unbeaten run of the season... three games!

Remi Garde's men were definitely disappointing in the original tie, but every man and his dog predicted a Wycombe win would be one of the shocks of the third round so on that basis we could argue that Villa did well to survive.

Since then they've defeated Crystal Palace in the Premier League and drew with title-chasing Leicester, conceding just one goal in the process. And with home advantage here, despite how perilous their league position is, Villa are very worthy strong favourites to book a home tie with Man City in round four.

Wycombe have lost their last two League Two outfits so perhaps they've been slightly distracted by this tie and I'm sure they will put in an improved performance at Villa Park and give the hosts a game.

But ultimately I believe the home side will win comfortably, and I think backing them to win with at least three goals scored in the match is worth chancing. Remember, Villa hosted League Two Notts County in the League Cup earlier in the season and prevailed 5-3.

Recommended Bet
Back Villa Win/Over 2.5 Goals @ 2.80

Portsmouth 2.48 v Ipswich 3.10; The Draw 3.50

I'm very surprised at the Match Odds for this market and rate Ipswich the best bet of the midweek replays.

What odds of 3.10 about the Tractor Boys winning means is that if this game was played three times, we'd need Ipswich to come out on top just once to make the wager a value one. Under the exact same circumstances in which they'll meet on Tuesday night, can you envisage Ipswich winning just one of three renewals? I know I certainly can.

True, Paul Cook's men are going very well in League Two and they have a great recent record at Fratton Park, and the manager is likely to field a strong side again on Tuesday night. But don't let the fact that Ipswich are a very good Championship side escape us.

Mick McCarthy's men are playing two divisions higher than Pompey at present, and although they can count themselves lucky that they actually drew the original tie at Portman Park it could be argued that they're actually better on the road at present.

Ipswich are unbeaten away from home for three months, and prior to an excellent draw at Burnley they'd won five on the spin on their travels. I can see McCarthy playing a few more of his regulars here than he did initially, and odds of 3.10 for a highflying Championship side to win at a League Two club really appeal.

Recommended Bet
Back Ipswich to Win @ 3.10 (best bet)

Bolton 1.91 v Eastleigh 4.60; The Draw 3.45

Bolton started the week with a stay of execution and can give their supporters further cheer with an FA Cup win on Tuesday night.

The Wanderers' winning form may have gone for a long walk very far away from Lancashire - they have tasted victory just twice - but this is still Championship v National League. Class should tell.

The first game had the hallmarks of an upset - terrible pitch, big crowd squeezed into a tiny ground. You feel that Eastleigh missed their chance.

But it really boils down to price. The 1.91 on a home win will surely look generous once the 90 minutes are up.

Recommended Bet
Back Bolton @ 1.91

Liverpool 1.30 v Exeter 11.50; The Draw 5.80

We may have been very close to a real upset in the original tie at St James' Park when these two sides met, largely due to a rip-roaring Friday night atmosphere, excellent play by the Grecians and a scratch side picked by Jurgen Klopp, but it's very hard to argue for a repeat of that at Anfield.

Klopp is sure to pick at least a marginally stronger side this time around, and although Liverpool are without a win in three league games going into this one, they acquitted themselves wellagainst Manchester United at the weekend and were unlucky to come away with nothing.

Exeter themselves are undefeated since that first game against the Reds and won well at Leyton Orient at the weekend, but this is surely a bridge too far for them. Liverpool with a one goal handicap at 1.80 looks the call here.

Recommended Bet
Back Liverpool-1 at 1.80 or better