ENGLISH FA CUP BETTING PICK - SOUTHEND UNITED V STOCKPORT

English FA CUP

2012-11-03 - Southend United vs Stockport

A Sports Betting Pick by Lamps

Southend United v Stockport
Football : England : FA Cup
Saturday 3rd November - Kickoff 3:00pm

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Southend

The Essex boys are struggling to get going this season and one of the favourites for promotion are in a spot of bother down in 13th place. Whilst the FA Cup isn't a priority I still expect them to take this seriously and go for the win especially at home.

Sturrock's side haven't won in the last 3 games so they will see this as confidence booster before they resume their promotion push. Against lower league opposition Southend really can't get upset set as I think the long term ramifications would be pretty bad on them.

At Roots Hall it's 1 win from 5 as the side has continued to drop down the League Two table. In their last 3 they beat Dag and Red (2-0), lost to Aldershot (1-2) then drew 0-0 with York.

Keeping 2 clean sheets in the last 3 is encouraging that should set them up for this game. It's a platform that Southend can use to kick start their season and if they get Assombalonga scoring again it should be a confidence booster all round.

Stockport

The once football league side Stockport make the journey down south to play Southend for a place in Round 2 of the FA Cup. Gannon's side are now in the conference and in a one off tie they have nothing to lose and will certainly give it their all on Saturday.

Stockport are struggling themselves in their league as they sit in 11th place. They trail the playoff places by 6 points so they are hardly out of contention but I expected them to be higher in the table.

They arrive at Roots Hall unbeaten in their last 3 and have lost just once in the last 8 games. Away from home they are 6 unbeaten but have only the 1 win in this run over Hereford (1-2) drawing the other 5!

Gannon's side have scored in their last 3 after being shut out in back to back games but they haven't kept a clean sheet for 3 games themselves on their travels. The form is good and against a struggling Southend an upset could be on the cards but can they match the Essex team that play in a league above them?

Betting Verdict

The hosts are favourites to win this game which is expected, they are at home and play in a higher division. I'm a little anxious about taking Southend but will give them a chance here as I see this as a perfect game to bounce back to.

I'm going to take the hosts on the asian line which is only available with 1 bookie at the moment which is a little annoying. Southend -0.75 is my play here.

The hosts are desperate for a win and if they get ahead early this could be a blow out. However, the visitors are very hard to beat at the moment but most games are draws so a slender home win is also a runner.

As a result taking -0.75 if there is a single goal victory we still get some kind of payout. This could game will probably be decided early on on how Southend approach the game there for I prefer this prudent approach over the the -1 line.

Good Luck

The Pick :