FA CUP SECOND ROUND PREVIEW AND PREDICTIONS

The world’s greatest domestic Cup competition reaches it’s second round proper stage this coming weekend, here’s my take on the games…..

FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30^th

SOLIHULL MOORS v BLACKPOOL

Moors are having a good season under the Stewardship of ex England Goalkeeper Tim Flowers & currently occupy a play-off place in the National League. I’m sure the club fancy their chances of an upset in this clash with the League One Tangerines who will be looking for a quick upturn in fortunes following their defeat at Doncaster in midweek which dented their excellent away form. Pool won’t relish a Friday night game at a tiny non-league ground in front of the BBC cameras but I’m anticipating a full-blooded Cup tie with no quarter given which may take a replay to sort out.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

SATURDAY 1st DECEMBER

FC HALIFAX TOWN v AFC WIMBLEDON

The mid-table NL side welcome the Dons to the Shay in Saturday’s early kick-off in a tie the managerless Dons will be looking for a win to brighten up a pretty horrendous season so far. The Dons are in an awful run of form losing eight of their last nine league games & I am tipping the Shaymen to add to their woes.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

ACCRINGTON STANLEY v CHELTENHAM TOWN

John Coleman’s Accy side are in the middle of a poor run which has seen them fall from a play-off place into mid-table in a few short weeks though to be fair they were desperately unlucky in falling to defeat against Wycombe in midweek where their performance merited at least a draw. The struggling Robins had their recent League Two revival checked in midweek suffering a heavy defeat at play-off chasing Bury & in all fairness I can’t see them troubling the home team here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

CHARLTON ATHLETIC v DONCASTER ROVERS

Two of League One’s better sides meet at the valley in what looks like an entertaining clash. The Addicks look in rude health winning their last four while Rovers look to have recovered from their recent blip with some good results & performances with a fine 2-0 win over in-form Blackpool in midweek the latest. A replay beckons…
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

LINCOLN CITY v CARLISLE UNITED

The high flying Imps surrendered top spot in League Two to Milton Keynes in midweek & are in their worst run of the season winning just one of their last five. John Sheridan’s mid-table Cumbrians are inconsistent at best but do look more effective on the road than they do at their Brunton Park home & must be looked upon as dangerous opponents for Lincoln but the Imps will be looking back at their magnificent Cup run of 2016/17 when they reached the quarter-finals & be confident of reaching the 3rd Round.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

MAIDSTONE UNITED v OLDHAM ATHLETIC

Frankie Bunn takes his inconsistent Latics side to face NL strugglers at their Gallagher stadium home. Oldham will travel in good spirits following a good performance in midweek when they were unlucky not to beat high flying Lincoln in a 1-1 draw in midweek. The Latics narrowly beat Hampton & Richmond in Round 1 so they’ve already experienced a small noisy non-league stadium & that experience will stand them in good stead here.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

PETERBOROUGH UNITED v BRADFORD CITY

These two League One sides met in the league at London Road only a fortnight ago & only a second-half Ivan Toney equaliser prevented an unlikely Bantams victory. Complacency could have played a part on Posh’s performance according to their forums & I can’t see Steve Evans allowing it to happen again so I’m tipping a comfortable victory for Posh against the hapless Bantams.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

PLYMOUTH ARGYLE v OXFORD UNITED

Another all-League One clash at Home Park. Both sides are currently in the wrong half of the table but are showing signs of improvement & in Oxford’s case significant improvement winning three out of their last five games & losing only one. Karl Robinson’s side should be wary of Argyle striker Freddie Ladapo who is having a fine season in front of goal despite his clubs struggles. It may take a Kassam replay to sort out this tie.
PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

SOUTHEND UNITED v BARNSLEY

Chris Powell’s inconsistent Shrimpers season took another upward turn in a fine win over Scunny in midweek & on their day are a match for anyone. The Tykes promotion push took a knock in defeat at Sunderland on the same night & may see a return to the Championship as a higher priority than a Cup run at the moment.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

WALSALL v SUNDERLAND

The Mackems return to the Banks stadium for the second Saturday running hoping for a better result than the 2-2 League draw where they came back from a 2-0 deficit to draw with 10 men. The Saddlers return home fresh from a 2-0 defeat to all-conquering Pompey in midweek & won’t be particularly confident about this clash.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

WREXHAM v NEWPORT COUNTY

A massive all-Welsh encounter awaits in front of a large Racecourse Ground crowd. Both sides are on form with Sam Ricketts Wrexham side aiming to return to the EFL after a long absence & Michael Flynn’s exiles in the thick of the League Two promotion race. It will be a full-blooded competitive clash but I think Newport’s EFL experience will help them win this tie at the first attempt.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

SUNDAY 2nd DECEMBER

BARNET v STOCKPORT

The inconsistent Bees take on a side with a very proud league history in Stockport County. The Hatters are expected to bring around 1,000 fans to north London showing that they still have a very large support base despite their recent struggles. They are having a decent if not spectacular season so far sitting 11th in the National League North table but will fancy getting something from this game. Barnet have’nt been at their best either after dropping out of the Football League last season and may have to settle for a replay here.

PREDICTION SCORE DRAW

BURY v LUTON TOWN

Ryan Lowe’s Shakers are flying right now & his free-scoring side have pushed themselves into the thick of the League Two promotion race. Talking about free-scoring, Nathan Jones Hatters are no slouches on that score either, Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Bradford being the latest win in a goal-laden League One promotion push. A wet Saturday afternoon in Lancashire may not have been on Luton’s wish list but I think Luton should narrowly take this tie.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

CHESTERFIELD v GRIMSBY TOWN

From League One promotion candidates to a NL side who have not won a League game in 18 matches in a few short years, things couldn’t have gone any worse for the struggling Spirites but this game enables their loyal fans to forget about the League for 90 minutes at least when Martin Allen’s side pit their wits against EFL opposition again. Strangely, despite the poor form, they are also unbeaten in 11 matches – their best run for 12 years! The Mariners are bang on form ATM with a fantastic 5-2 Blundell Park win over promotion-chasing Tranmere the latest in an impressive recent run of results & Jolley’s men should take this tie comfortably.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

ROCHDALE v PORTSMOUTH

Dale come into this difficult tie at Spotland hurting after defeat at Oxford that curtailed their efforts to move away from danger but will be eager to replicate last season’s good Cup run which ended in a money-spinning replay defeat at Wembley to Spurs. Pompey are brushing aside all before them right now & I can’t see Dale being a problem for Kenny Jackett’s side in this tie.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

SHREWSBURY TOWN v SCUNTHORPE UNITED

Danny Coyne continues to improve his CV for the permanent managerial position at the New Meadow with another victory over Plymouth on Tuesday lifting his side up to lower mid-table, a considerable achievement given the club’s early season struggles. Stuart McCall’s Iron seem to be going in the opposite direction with his team on an awful recent run that has seen them sitting just one place above the League One trap door of 21st. Only one result here form-wise.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

SLOUGH v GILLINGHAM

Mid Table NL South side Slough welcome League One Gills to their tiny Arbour Park ground for a tie that has “potential upset” written all over it. Steve Lovell’s men are fighting hard to get out of the lower reaches of L1 & are a useful side on their day. I can’t really see the minnows having their day here I’m afraid.
PREDICTION AWAY WIN

SWINDON TOWN v WOKING

New Swindon boss Richie Wellens welcomes NL South leaders Woking to the County ground with his new charges in reasonable but inconsistent recent form winning three of their last five in all competitions. The Cards are in good form right now & are looking a good bet to return to the NL at the first attempt following last season’s relegation but will find EFL opposition too strong here.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

TRANMERE ROVERS v SOUTHPORT

The Super White Army’s push towards a second successive promotion suffered a huge jolt in midweek with a surprise pummelling at rapidly improving Grimsby but I can’t see NL North strugglers Southport denying the Merseysiders a third-round place.
PREDICTION HOME WIN

MONDAY 3rd DECEMBER

GUISELEY v FLEETWOOD TOWN

Guiseley’s tiny Nethermoor Park was the scene of the 1st Round’s fairytale result where the mid-table NL side deservedly eliminated League Two Cambridge in a pulsating 4-3 victory. Sadly for the non-leaguers Joey Barton’s League One Cod Army will be a different “kettle of fish” & I can’t see any shock result here.

PREDICTION AWAY WIN

words Ian Bradley, D3D4 roving reporter and predictions guru. You can follow Ian on twitter @Millmoor1