FAI Cup predictions: betting preview and free football tips

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for this weekend's FAI Cup matches.

Best bets

Waterford -2.5 on Asian handicap
4pts Evs bet365

Finn Harps draw no bet
1pt 6-4 general

Cobh
2pts 4-5 bet365, BoyleSports

Preview

Waterford's resurgence since ex-QPR cult hero Marc Bircham took over in the Blues' dugout in May has been one of the stories of the season.

Bircham's men take on Kilnamanagh in the last 16 of the FAI Cup on Friday night and they should have far too much in reserve for their visitors.

The challenge facing the non-league teams, whose year has been ruined by the pandemic, is enormous and Waterford make plenty of appeal on the handicap.

A resurgent Cork City could be tricky opponents for St Patrick's, who are focusing on cup glory this season, while there is an all-Premier Division tie in Ballybofey as Finn Harps host Derry City.

Harps look a shade big to make the quarters on the back of three successive wins, especialy given that they have already beaten Ruaidhri Higgins' side at Brandywell this year.

Maynooth are being tipped by some to beat Cobh on Saturday but the game is being played in Baldonnell and Ciaran Kilduff's charges look up against it taking on a superior side in the middle of their season.

While the Ramblers have struggled this season, they have still achieved five wins and four draws from their 20 Division One games.

Racing Post Sport's outright tip, Shamrock Rovers, face a tricky trip to Bohemians on Sunday, 72 hours after the second leg of their Europa Conference League qualifier against Flora Tallinn.

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