PartialLogo
Sport

Expert FA Cup second round predictions and free football tips from Dan Childs

County resurgence can continue in the capital

Stockport boss Dave Challinor has seen a steady improvement from his team
Stockport boss Dave Challinor has seen a steady improvement from his teamCredit: James Gill - Danehouse

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Saturday's FA Cup second round matches.

When to bet

Kick-offs from 3pm

Best bets

Stockport or draw double chance
2pts 4-5 bet365

Harrogate draw no bet
2pts 5-6general

Portsmouth
1pt 5-6 bet365, Coral, Ladbrokes

Grimsby draw no bet
1pt 6-5Betfair Power

Charlton v Stockport

National League champions Stockport have found their feet in League Two, taking 13 points from their last six games, and they can show their ability to compete at an even higher level by winning away to League One Charlton in the FA Cup second round.

County head to the capital with confidence after a string of encouraging performances.

They had gone seven games unbeaten before last Saturday's 2-1 defeat at home to League Two leaders Leyton Orient and, while the loss was a slight setback, there were lots of positives for manager Dave Challinor to take.

The Hatters were largely dominant against Orient, winning the shot count 14 to six, and they remain intent on striving for a second successive promotion.

Charlton held expectations of challenging towards the top of League One but their season has not got going.

Addicks manager Ben Garner is under pressure after four league games without a win and the Stockport game looks awkward, because it promises to be harder than the home fans might expect.

Garner wants to bolster his squad in the winter transfer window but his January budget could be reduced by an early FA Cup exit.

Hartlepool v Harrogate

League Two strugglers Harrogate sprang a surprise by recording a deserved 1-0 success at promotion-chasing Bradford in the FA Cup first round and they can take advantage of an easier second-round draw by beating fourth-tier basement boys Hartlepool at Victoria Park.

Harrogate head coach Simon Weaver took a chance in the summer by assembling a youthful, attack-minded squad and, after a poor start to the season, there are signs that the tide may be turning.

Town have lost just one of their last four games and Saturday's 3-0 victory at home to Mansfield was their best performance of the campaign.

Weaver's side are growing in confidence and should be took strong for Keith Curle's Hartlepool, who have won one just of their last ten fixtures.

Portsmouth v MK Dons

Portsmouth have drawn a few too many games for their liking in the League One promotion race but they are unbeaten in eight and should be too strong for FA Cup second-round opponents MK Dons.

Danny Cowley's side have not lost a home match all season and should brush aside the Dons, who are fourth-bottom in League One.

Cambridge v Grimsby

Grimsby delivered their best performance of the season when winning 5-1 at home to Plymouth in the FA Cup first round and they can claim another League One scalp when taking on Cambridge at the Abbey Stadium.

The Mariners have registered five of their six League Two wins away from home, and another positive road trip is in store against injury-hit Cambridge, who are fifth from bottom in the third tier.

Accumulator

Accrington 4-7, Barnsley 4-9, Sheffield Wednesday 1-2, Walsall 31-20
£1 acca returns £8.65 with Coral

First scorer

Jevani Brown Oxford v Exeter
at 7-1 bet365

Jevani Brown's double was key to Exeter's win 3-2 at Port Vale in the FA Cup first round and the 28-year-old could strike the first blow against Oxford at the Kassam Stadium.


CLICK HERE FOR YOUR CHANCE TO WIN A 65" TV


Sign up to emails from Racing Post Sport and get all the latest news and tips

Today's top sports betting stories

Follow us on Twitter @racingpostsport

Racing Post Sport

Published on inSport

Last updated

iconCopy