FA Cup
FA Cup First Round Predictions & Tips: Robbie Savage faces son Charlie in family showdown
FA Cup First Round predictions and tips, featuring 40 ties as non-League sides take on Football League opposition, with William Hill News.
There are plenty of intriguing storylines to look forward to, including a remarkable family showdown between Peterborough United manager Robbie Savage and his son Charlie, who plays for Reading.
Elsewhere, National League leaders Boreham Wood will fancy their chances of causing an upset against struggling League One side Wigan Athletic, while Marine and Alvechurch are among the non-League clubs hoping to write another chapter in their FA Cup history.
Peterborough United v Reading – Saturday, 8pm
Prediction: Draw (12/5)
One of the most compelling storylines of the FA Cup First Round sees Peterborough United manager Robbie Savage come up against his son Charlie, who represents Reading.
It is a fascinating family occasion, with Robbie in the Peterborough dugout and Charlie hoping to help Reading progress at the expense of his father’s side.
There will undoubtedly be plenty of attention on the Savage family, particularly if Charlie can make himself the headline act by finding the back of the net.
At 5/1, Charlie Savage is an intriguing anytime goalscorer selection. The prospect of him scoring against a team managed by his father would be quite some FA Cup story and one that would certainly capture the imagination.
The match itself looks difficult to call, with Peterborough priced at 9/5, the draw available at 12/5 and Reading 11/8 favourites.
With so much at stake for both sides, a closely fought encounter could be on the cards, and the draw appeals at 12/5.
Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic – Saturday, 3pm
Prediction: Boreham Wood to win (4/5)
The FA Cup is famous for producing giant-killings, and Boreham Wood have a fantastic opportunity to add another memorable result to their history when they welcome Wigan Athletic.
On paper, there is a significant gap between the two clubs, with Boreham Wood playing two divisions below their opponents. However, the league positions make this a particularly interesting contest.
Boreham Wood currently sit top of the National League, while Wigan are struggling in 21st place in League One.
That is reflected in the betting market, with Boreham Wood priced at just 4/5 to win, despite facing a side two leagues above them. Wigan are 3/1 outsiders, with the draw available at 14/5.
Boreham Wood will be full of confidence heading into the tie and have the opportunity to take advantage of a Wigan side enduring a difficult league campaign.
The visitors will be desperate to avoid an embarrassing cup exit, but the hosts have every reason to believe they can cause an upset.
Altrincham v Notts County – Saturday, 5.30pm
Prediction: Notts County to win (8/11)
One of the standout televised fixtures of the weekend sees Altrincham welcome Notts County, with the National League side hoping to make home advantage count against Football League opposition.
Altrincham have earned their place in the First Round Proper and will relish the opportunity to test themselves against a club with a proud history and ambitions of returning to the Championship.
Notts County will arrive as favourites at 8/11, with Altrincham priced at 16/5 and the draw available at 3/1.
The hosts will be keen to make life uncomfortable for their visitors and turn the occasion into a difficult afternoon for the League One side.
However, Notts County have the quality to navigate what could be a challenging cup tie, and their experience at a higher level should count for plenty.
Altrincham have the opportunity to make headlines in front of the television cameras, but Notts County are backed to avoid an upset and book their place in the next round.
Bradford City v Marine – Saturday, 3pm
Prediction: Bradford City to win and both teams to score (7/4)
Marine will be a familiar name to FA Cup followers after their remarkable run to the Third Round in 2021, when they famously hosted Tottenham Hotspur.
The Merseyside club captured the imagination of football fans across the country during that campaign and will be hoping to produce another memorable cup performance when they travel to Bradford City.
Standing in their way is a Bradford side who will be determined to avoid becoming the latest Football League club to suffer an embarrassing FA Cup exit.
The bookmakers make the hosts overwhelming favourites, with Bradford priced at 1/4, the draw at 9/2 and Marine available at 9/1.
While Bradford should have enough quality to progress, Marine have the opportunity to make life difficult for their opponents and will be desperate to take their chances when they come.
A Bradford City win and both teams to score at 7/4 looks an appealing option. Marine have shown in previous FA Cup campaigns that they can rise to the occasion, and there is enough value in backing them to get on the scoresheet even if Bradford ultimately progress.
Plymouth Argyle v Alvechurch – Saturday, 3pm
Prediction: Plymouth Argyle to win
Plymouth Argyle will be hoping to avoid an FA Cup shock when they welcome Alvechurch to Home Park, with the non-League visitors dreaming of another memorable run in the competition.
Alvechurch have already demonstrated their ability to cause an upset, famously reaching the Second Round in 2022 after knocking out Cheltenham Town.
That victory remains a significant moment in the club’s recent history, and they will be hoping to produce another giant-killing performance against Football League opposition.
Plymouth are understandably strong favourites at 2/9, with the draw available at 11/2 and an Alvechurch victory priced at 11/1.
The hosts will be expected to control proceedings and have the advantage of playing in front of their home supporters.
However, Alvechurch will travel with belief that they can make the occasion uncomfortable for their opponents. The FA Cup has provided plenty of reminders that league positions and reputations count for little once the action gets underway.
Despite the potential for a cup upset, Plymouth should have enough quality to progress and are expected to secure their place in the Second Round.
FA Cup First Round Saturday Fixtures and Odds:
Here are all the Saturday fixtures, with the latest William Hill match odds for each game.
- Accrington Stanley v Wycombe Wanderers – 13/5 | 27/10 | 10/11
- Barnet v Tranmere Rovers – 4/6 | 29/10 | 19/5
- Barnsley v Aldershot Town – 2/7 | 24/5 | 8/1
- Boreham Wood v Wigan Athletic – 4/5 | 14/5 | 3/1
- Bradford City v Marine – 1/4 | 9/2 | 9/1
- Bromley v Rotherham United – 11/10 | 13/5 | 21/10
- Burton Albion v AFC Rushden & Diamonds – 1/2 | 9/1 | 25/1
- Carlisle United v Salford City – 15/8 | 5/2 | 5/4
- Cheltenham Town v FC Halifax Town – 17/20 | 27/10 | 14/5
- Chesterfield v Yeovil Town – 1/2 | 17/5 | 24/5
- Colchester United v Worcester City – 3/10 | 4/1 | 8/1
- Crewe Alexandra v AFC Wimbledon – 6/4 | 11/5 | 7/4
- Dover Athletic v Wealdstone – 5/2 | 23/10 | 10/11
- Eastleigh v Shrewsbury Town – 5/2 | 5/2 | EVS
- Fleetwood Town v Rochdale – 7/10 | 14/5 | 18/5
- Gillingham v Barrow – 10/11 | 13/5 | 27/10
- Guiseley v Sutton United – 5/2 | 5/2 | EVS
- Harrogate Town v AFC Fylde – EVS | 13/5 | 12/5
- Hornchurch v Blackpool – 3/1 | 14/5 | 3/4
- Huddersfield Town v Exeter City – 3/10 | 9/2 | 15/2
- Kidderminster Harriers v Doncaster Rovers – 3/1 | 27/10 | 4/5
- Leyton Orient v Harborough Town – 2/5 | 19/5 | 6/1
- Luton Town v Forest Green Rovers – 3/10 | 9/2 | 7/1
- Mansfield Town v Macclesfield – 4/11 | 4/1 | 13/2
- Milton Keynes Dons v Swindon Town – 11/20 | 10/3 | 4/1
- Newport County v Walsall – 6/4 | 9/4 | 17/10
- Oxford United v Stevenage – 21/20 | 23/10 | 13/5
- Plymouth Argyle v Alvechurch – 2/9 | 11/2 | 11/1
- Port Vale v Scunthorpe United – 4/7 | 3/1 | 4/1
- Salisbury v Sholing – 2/5 | 7/2 | 13/2
- York City v Northampton Town – 17/20 | 5/2 | 16/5
5.30pm kick-off
- Altrincham v Notts County – 16/5 | 3/1 | 8/11
8pm kick-off
- Peterborough United v Reading – 9/5 | 12/5 | 11/8
Odds are listed in home win | draw | away win order and are subject to change.
