AFTER a bumper fixture list on New Year’s Day, attention turns to the FA Cup.
The first weekend of January traditionally hosts the third round in which Premier League and Championship clubs begin their challenge.
We’ve got tips from three huge ties, including one 16/1 shot that we fancy to get your 2020 off to the perfect start.
Liverpool vs Everton
CUP ties don’t come much better than this.
Three weeks ago, we’d be recommending you stick the mortgage on the Red half of Merseyside running away with this one.
Before Duncan Ferguson and then Carlo Ancelotti got hold of this Everton side, they were rudderless and on a collision course with the Championship.
Since Marco Silva’s departure, this expensively-assembled group of players has started to show signs of recovery.
They’re not there yet – and we’re not going to go as far as telling you to back a Toffees victory.
Stranger things have happened, but we can’t look beyond Jurgen Klopp’s juggernaut rolling on into the New Year.
Nobody in the country has a home record like Liverpool.
The Reds last lost a competitive game here in April 2017 – don’t be tempted by the rather low 9/2 on offer for the away win.
If you absolutely have to back Everton, go with the double chance at 6/4 as it’s far more likely they frustrate Liverpool and get them back over Stanley Park for a replay.
But we think Liverpool are a terrific price at 5/6 and one we’d happily recommend all day long.
They’ve won the last three derbies here and Everton haven’t tasted a victory on this ground since 1999.
We don’t usually get high-scoring games between these two, although the last meeting back in early December did see the defensive frailties of both sides in a barmy 5-2 win for the Reds.
Call us mad, but we don’t see another goal-fest – particularly with Ancelotti now in the opposing dugout.
Expect the Toffees to try and take this one long and the under 2.5 goals at a solid 29/20 is tough to ignore.
Ladbrokes run a market where you can wager on the result after 15, 30 and 60 minutes.
It’s a tempting 3/10 for the game to be a draw after 15 minutes, which would have won in four of the last five Merseyside derbies at Anfield.
In a game where Everton will look to keep things tight and go from there, that’s real value.
SunSport’s best bets
Liverpool to beat Everton: 5/6
Under 2.5 goals at Anfield: 29/20
Game to be a draw after 15 minutes: 3/10
Arsenal vs Leeds
THIS could very well be a Premier League fixture next year.
That is if Arsenal stop their slide down the league table. Joking.
Leeds under Marcelo Bielsa are in pole position for a return to the top-flight for the first time since 2004 – and it’s a very different place to when they left it.
The Whites play a terrific, high-octane 3-4-3 under the Argentine, which has seen them occupy the automatic promotion places for most of the campaign.
How that style works in the top-flight though is a complete mystery – so this will be a good test for both Leeds and their long-suffering fanbase.
Arsenal are Arsenal, where do you start?
Mikel Arteta is now at the helm and silverware would be a welcome distraction from what has been a pretty horrendous season at the Emirates.
But this is a very tricky tie and the Spaniard would have hoped for something easier on home soil.
It’s got shock written all over it – remember Jermaine Beckford netting infront of the Stretford End back in 2010? Yep, that level of shock.
Prime time viewing on BBC, Leeds will want to put on a show.
And the over 3.5 goals is in serious play here – we’re expecting fireworks.
Arsenal simply can’t defend and the Whites shipped four at Birmingham just last week. Crank that one up with confidence at 6/4.
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with the 4/1 on a Leeds win, but it shows how bad Arsenal have been this season that it’s that low against a side from the Championship.
For comparison, Nottingham Forest were 16/1 to beat Chelsea.
In a game where we can guarantee goals, an away victory at 13/2 with both teams scoring seems of more value.
Seriously, this could end up as anything – but with thousands flocking down from Yorkshire, we reckon this might be a dress rehearsal that ends in smiles for the men from up north.
But just in case you’re not willing to trust the Championship club fully, a punt on Leeds to win either half at 17/10 is the sensible bet of the night.
SunSport’s best bets
Over 3.5 goals at the Emirates: 6/4
Yorkshire side to win either half: 17/10
Leeds to shock Arsenal with both teams scoring: 13/2
*All odds correct at time of publication
