English FA CUP
2012-11-03 - Bournemouth vs Dagenham & Redbridge
A Sports Betting Pick by Auls
Football: English FA Cup First Round
Saturday 3 November 2012 - Kick Off 3pm
Bournemouth
Eddie Howe has returned to the club where he really started making waves as a manager and that return has seen an upturn in fortunes for Bournemouth. The Cherries were expected to be challenging at the upper end of League One, but a poor start saw Perry Groves removed as manager and Howe came in to replace him.
The side have won 3 of their last 4 games coming into this one and the only exception is a 3-3 draw at Notts County when they fought back from 2-0 down. Bournemouth had failed to win in 5 home games to open the season, but the arrival of Howe has seen an upturn at Dean Court too as they have now won back to back home games including a 3-1 win over previously unbeaten Tranmere Rovers.
Bournemouth have a giant killing past in the FA Cup when they beat Manchester United here back in 1984. However, recent seasons have not been so kind to them as they have failed to reach the third round since 2007. They have lost just 1 of their last 6 home ties in the competition, although beaten at this stage last season in a replay by Gillingham after drawing 3-3 here.
Dagenham & Redbridge
Dagenham & Redbridge are down in 19th place in League Two and their biggest concern will be making sure they are not dragged into a prolonged relegation scrap. However, the FA Cup can provide a welcome distraction and a good chance to pick up some momentum and eventually tagging a tie against one of the big names from the Premier League, a tie that would secure the finances of the club.
However, Dagenham have not been in great form recently with just 1 win in their last 5 games which included a 2-0 loss at Southend United in the Football League Trophy. That means they have lost 2 of their last 3 away games in all competitions and they have only won 1 of 8 away games so far this season.
The side reached the third round of this competition last season for the first time since 2008. Dagenham have not won any of their last 8 away games in the competition, although they have drawn 2 of their last 3.
Head to Head
Bournemouth beat Dagenham & Redbridge 5-0 here in the League Cup last season in what was their last meeting.
The year before that, both were League Two teams and Bournemouth won 3-0 here at Dean Court meaning they are unbeaten in all 4 home games against Dagenham, winning 3 of those games.
Prediction
Eddie Howe has really got his Bournemouth side playing good, attacking football at the moment and they have managed to grab at least 2 goals in each of their last 4 games so confidence will be high that they can progress to the second round.
I expect Dagenham & Redbridge will make this tough, but they will be forced to come out of their shell if they fall behind and they have struggled to keep clean sheets away from home, something that could be exposed in this one.
Bournemouth hammered Dagenham the last 2 times they have hosted them and while I don't think it will be a beating, I just think Bournemouth are showing enough in the final third to think they can clear the 1 goal on the Asian Handicap.
It's a Cup tie so there will be room to exploit if Bournemouth do move in front and they are scoring enough goals at the moment to make the 1.95 worth chancing.
The Pick :
Bournemouth 3-1 Dagenham & Redbridge
BEST BETTING TIP :
I'll back Bournemouth - 1 Asian Handicap @ 1.95
