George Pitts takes a look at the first FA Cup clash of the weekend.
Recommended bets
1pt Most corners: Tottenham on -3 handicap at evens
1pt Kyle Walker-Peters to score anytime at 11/1
For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record
Tranmere v Spurs (1945 GMT kick-off, BT Sport 2)
The third round of the 2018/19 FA Cup gets underway on Friday evening at Prenton Park, with the TV cameras hoping for a potential upset.
Sky Bet League Two outfit Tranmere will be looking forward to the occasion, with Premier League title chasers Tottenham travelling to the Wirral. Micky Mellon will be hoping to capitalise on their opponents' league priorities and the hosts are as big as 16/1 to pull off the first shock of the weekend.
The Tranmere boss sees the clash as an opportunity for the club to 'announce to the footballing world that it is still here'. Rovers - who reached the FA Cup quarter-finals in 2000, 2001 and 2004, were League Cup runners-up in 2000 and took part in the second-tier play-offs three times in the 1990s - were promoted to League Two last term having spent three seasons in the National League.
Spurs, meanwhile, have progressed from 17 of their last 18 FA Cup ties against opponents from a lower league and that solitary loss came under Andre Villas-Boas against Leeds in 2013.
Pochettino is yet to experience a shock as Spurs boss in this competition - they have reached the semi-final in successive years - but there is, of course, a first time for everything.
Betting guide
Score prediction: Tranmere 0-4 Spurs (Sky Bet odds: 10/1)
The Premier League side won 3-0 against Wimbledon at this stage last season before having to play an extra game after being held to a replay with Newport. Their team should be much changed from their New Year's Day win over Cardiff, but still reasonably strong, and they should not be the shock losers of the weekend.
Best bets:
Most corners: Tottenham on -3 handicap at evens
With little value in the results market, this price looks great considering the visitors are expected to have the better share of possession and chances. In the same round last season they had 12 corners to AFC Wimbledon's four and a similar figure is expected this time around.
Kyle Walker-Peters to score anytime at 11/1
It is worth waiting until the team sheets are out before backing this one, but the odds make it worth a small play. The scoring markets are difficult in games like this, with most players so short - although Dele Alli in a score-and-win double at nearly 2/1 was tempting - but this price caught the eye.
The 21-year-old could start at right-back for his fifth appearance of the season. His last one came on Boxing Day and was incredibly impressive as he notched three first-half assists in the win over Bournemouth and he even had an attempt on goal himself. Should he start, the young full-back is worth watching as he looks to venture forward at every opportunity. He scored in the competition last season and will look to make an impression again if he takes to the field at Prenton Park.
Sporting Life RequestABet: Tottenham to score 2+ goals, 9+ match corners and Dele Alli to score anytime at 3/1
Opta statistics
- This is the first meeting between Tranmere and Tottenham in any competition since the 2001-02 season – Tottenham won 4-0 at Prenton Park in the League Cup third round, and 4-0 at White Hart Lane in the FA Cup fifth round.
- Tottenham are unbeaten against Tranmere in eight previous meetings in all competitions (W6 D2), knocking them out of the FA Cup in 1952-53 (9-1 in a replay) and 2001-02 (4-0).
- Tranmere are looking to reach the fourth round of the FA Cup for the first time since 2003-04, when they beat Premier League side Bolton in the third round.
- Tottenham have progressed from 17 of their last 18 FA Cup ties against opponents from a lower league. The only exception in that run was a 1-2 loss at Leeds in 2012-13.
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Odds correct as of 1700 GMT on 03/01/19
