The best cup competition in the world is back and Matthew O’Regan has three FA Cup bet builders at juicy odds of 17/1, 40/1 and 7/1.

Brighton vs Chelsea Bet Builder

Diego Gomez to be Carded

Diego Gomez made his Brighton debut with a one minute cameo off the bench in the 1-3 victory at Old Trafford. The Paraguayan was then brought off the bench at half time in Brighton’s dismal 7-0 loss at Nottingham Forest. 

The absence of Mats Wieffer, Yasin Ayari and Carlos Baleba through injury saw Fabian Hurzeler inexplicably field just Jack Hinshelwood in midfield – a decision that proved to be costly with the youngster subbed at half time. 

The 31-year-old manager was rather coy in his pre-match press conference, but the indications are that Ayari, Wieffer and Baleba will be absent again, allowing Gomez to make his first senior start in English football. 

The 21-year-old impressed in the MLS with Inter Miami with 12 goal contributions in his final season but also won plaudits for his off-the-ball work. Gomez is a relentless pressure, attempting over 12 duels and three tackles per game. He did also over step the mark on occasion, making 1.83 fouls per 90, being booked 0.33 times per 90. 

Gomez’ versatility was key, alternating between a centre midfield and winger. With Brighton’s midfield crisis, it would not be a shock to see Gomez line up in midfield where he should make plenty of fouls against Cole Palmer. 

Moises Caicedo to be Carded

It took just one full season of Premier League football for Moises Caicedo to move onto pastures new, being snapped up by Chelsea for £115m. The Ecuadorian struggled to adapt in his first season at Stamford Bridge but has been a shining light this season.

Caicedo has been a standout player in the Premier League with his defensive work. The 23-year-old has made 2.16 fouls per 90, being shown 0.24 yellows per 90. 

An added caveat to this bet is that Brighton fans dislike Caicedo for the way he left the club, so will be on the referee’s back to make him the 24th central midfielder booked against Brighton this season.  

Over 2.5 Goals

Brighton currently sit 10th in the Premier League, with their games averaging 3.04 goals. Of their 24 Premier League games, 15 have seen at least three goals, as well as all four cup games so far. 

Fabian Hurzeler has real belief in his side’s ability to go toe-to-toe with the ‘top six’, with over 2.5 goals landing against Manchester City, Tottenham, Chelsea and both games against Liverpool and Manchester United. They also drew 1-1 in both games with Arsenal. 

Chelsea looked nervy in their 2-1 victory over West Ham, making it the sixth straight home game that over 2.5 goals has landed for Enzo Maresca’s side. 

Of their 24 games in the Premier League, 15 have seen over 2.5 goals, as well as their last five in all competitions. The Blues have been high scoring in cup competitions with their games averaging 4.77 goals and seeing at least three goals in 7/9.

Diego Gomez Card, Moises Caicedo Card & Over 2.5 Goals is a best price 17/1 at the time of writing. Back it on BetMGM or compare all prices below.

Preston vs Wycombe Bet Builder

Milutin Osmajic To Score

Eyebrows were raised when Preston signed well-travelled Montenegrin striker Milutin Osmajic. The 25-year-old struggled in his first season, scoring just eight times but has improved this year, scoring six in eight league starts, averaging 0.65 goals per 90 in the Championship. 

Osmajic also scored a brace in the 2-0 win over Charlton Athletic in the previous round and a hat trick in the 0-5 win at Harrogate in the EFL Cup. Paul Heckingbottom chose not to play him in the loss to Blackburn, but Osmajic should be trusted from the start against Wycombe. 

Richard Kone To Score

Richard Kone has been the feel-good story in English football this year. Signed from Essex non-league club Athletic Newham, Kone has risen to prominence with his stellar performances this year and is currently sat ahead of £16 million signing Jay Stansfield in the race for the golden boot. 

The 21-year-old has 19 goals in all competitions this season, averaging 0.80 goals per 90 in League One. On top of this, he also scored off the bench in the 0-2 win at Wealdstone, as well as scoring against Swansea and Aston Villa in the EFL Cup. 

Wycombe To Win 

Wycombe’s form this season has surprised many, only high-spending Birmingham are above them. The Chairboys’ away form is the best in the league, taking 31 points from 15, scoring 35 in the process. 

Under the guise of the previous manager Matt Bloomfield, they beat Championship side Swansea in the early rounds of the EFL Cup and look a healthy price to take yet another Championship scalp. 

Milutin Osmajic to Score, Richard Kone to Score, Wycombe to Win is a best price 40/1 at the time of writing. Back it on bet365 or compare all prices below.

Coventry vs Ipswich Bet Builder

While the gap between the Premier League and the Championship has seemingly never been bigger, Coventry and Ipswich look hard to split. 

The Sky Blues made the controversial decision to part ways with legendary manager Mark Robins, replacing him with Frank Lampard. While there was some dismay over the appointment, the 46-year-old has his side flying up the table. 

The 0-2 loss at home to Leeds thwarted a four-game winning streak, with victories against Bristol City (1-0), Blackburn (0-2), Watford (2-1) and Swansea (0-2) before this. 

Victor Torp Over 1.5 Shots

The Coventry squad is undoubtedly a talented one, with plenty of investment, with Lampard’s tactical tweaks getting a tune out of the team. The former England and Chelsea midfielder has favoured a back five, with Jamie Allen as a single pivot, allowing Jack Rudoni and Victor Torp more freedom as double ‘10s’. 

This has seen the pair’s attacking output increase, with Torp having a shot in his last eight starts, averaging 1.99 shots per 90. The Dane is also trusted with free-kicks, scoring one in the recent 2-1 win over Watford. Rudoni has had the most shots per game of any Coventry player (1.79), having a shot in 15 of his last 16 games, only failing away at Norwich.  

Coventry to Win

Ipswich have now lost four on the bounce in the Premier League, including 1-2 to basement boys Southampton. Kieran McKenna’s side have taken just nine points on their travels this season, conceding 23 goals. 

Saturday sees an in-form team host an out-of-sorts side and it would not be a surprise to see a rampant Coventry cause a mini ‘cupset’. 

Victor Torp Over 1.5 Shots & Coventry to Win is a best price 7/1 at the time of writing. Back it on bet365 or compare all prices below.