FA Cup Picks

We'll kick off at MK Dons where there is every chance the home team will be out-numbered by the away fans, with Coventry selling out completely of their increased 8,000 allocation in advance of this match.

MK Dons have been in a right mess recently, collecting just six points from eight league matches and slipping into the relegation zone. That's triggered a change at the top, and Dan Micciche could potentially use this to have a good look at the options available to him. A cup run isn't really what he needs as he sets off on the task of saving the club from the drop.

He comes into this match without main man Chuks Aneke - suspended after a red card last week, and that could be a big enough handicap to allow Coventry to nick a win. They are flying high after seven wins from their last 10 outings and they must surely smell an upset.

2pts Coventry to beat MK Dons at 5/2

Our second pick have to be Swansea at only marginally odds-on prices. Carlos Cavalhal has spoken about playing a good side for the trip to Notts County, and although we shouldn't expect him to be at absolutely full strength, they have enough in reserve to get a result here.

Under ordinary circumstances, we probably wouldn't be interested in this one, given County's great home record, but they prepare for this match without goalkeeper Ross Fitzsimons, midfielder Matty Virtue and defender Matt Tootle. They have now also lost back-to-back matches at home, and look to be on the ropes, at least temporarily.

With a promotion push running hard, it would be no surprise to see a couple of additional players rested by Kevin Nolan who worked for long enough under Sam Allardyce to learn the value of prioritisation.

2.2pts Swansea to beat Notts County at 10/11

Finally, the market is surely showing too much respect to the talented Wigan side ahead of their match with West Ham. The Hammers are widely expected to rest players for this one, but they did that against Shrewsbury and still put out a host of familiar names, including Andre Ayew, Manuel Lanzini, Reece Burke, Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta.

West Ham are now unbeaten in seven, including away matches at Tottenham, Bournemouth and Huddersfield, and a win here would certainly be welcome for a little cup run. David Moyes has been honest in setting out his priorities of course, but odds of 9/4 look long enough to tempt us into a small play on the Premier League side.

1pt West Ham to beat Wigan at 9/4

#Football