Sunday's FA Cup third-round football tips, bets and analysis

Free football tips, bets and analysis, for Sunday's FA cup third-round games.

Best bets

Northampton Town or draw double chance
1pt 6-4 general
Coventry City
1pt 13-10 general
Crewe Alexandra
1pt 9-5 bet365, Betfred

Burton Albion v Northampton Town

2.01pm Sunday

Burton Albion have already seen off two Sky Bet League Two sides in this year’s FA Cup but completing the hat-trick won’t be a formality.

Nigel Clough’s League One outfit thumped Salford City 4-1 in round one and pipped Oldham 1-0 away in round two.

Now the Brewers lock horns with Northampton who, as Clough points out, are one of the form teams in the basement and head for the Pirelli Stadium full of cheer after pipping rivals Stevenage on New Year’s Day to maintain their promotion push.

Burton have had a decent festive period although their fixture list wasn’t the most demanding. Since losing 2-0 at Wycombe they have played four games - winning three - against sides who are 17th or lower. Northampton should provide a much sterner test.

Bristol Rovers v Coventry City

2.01pm Sunday

Coventry look to be heading to the Memorial Stadium at just the right time with the Gas in turmoil.

The departure of manager Graham Coughlan to Mansfield last month looked like it might disrupt a team who were jogging along quite nicely in League One, and that’s been proved right.

They are now without a win (or goal from open play) in their last four matches and Wednesday’s 3-0 battering at MK Dons was about as desperate as it gets. They also lost keeper Anssi Jaakkola to a shoulder injury in that defeat.

Contrast their fortunes to those of Coventry who are on a run of four wins in five, including away successes at both Ipswich and Wycombe.

Crewe Alexandra v Barnsley

2.01pm Sunday

League Two highflyers Crewe have a decent chance of taking down Barnsley at Gresty Road.

The Tykes have undoubtedly improved under Gerhard Struber – Thursday’s 2-1 loss at Derby was just their first in six matches.

But this is a young side in the throes of a relegation dogfight and that has to be the Austrian’s priority. He won’t be fielding top scorer Cauley Woodrow – a combination of an injury and impending move away should ensure that – and Struber may well rest others so soon after the trip to Pride Park and with Huddersfield coming next.

Crewe come into the game after a 3-1 win over Scunthorpe and 4-1 dismantling of Carlisle. They are the basement’s top scorers and average two goals a game at home.

The young Tykes may not relish this battle.

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