Blackpool have home advantage in their fourth round FA Cup tie with Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday. When these teams met in the Carling Cup at the start of the season neither could manage a goal, however I'm expecting things to be pretty different this time around.

These two teams are in good shape in their respective leagues right now. Blackpool sit just outside the play off places in the English Championship whilst Sheffield Wednesday are in fourth place in League 1 and challenging for an automatic promotion spot. The aforementioned meeting in the first round of the Carling Cup took place back in August and 90 minutes plus extra time failed to produce a goal. Sheffield Wednesday held their nerve to win the penalty shoot out before exiting the competition at Blackburn in the subsequent round.

Wednesday started their FA Cup campaign in the first round with a 2-1 win at League 2 side Morecambe. Aldershot, also from League 2 provided the opposition in round two and Wednesday edged it with a 1-0 home win. The eye-catching result came in the previous round when Wednesday were drawn at home to West Ham who currently top the Championship table and another 1-0 win booked The Owls this fourth round place. Whilst cup games have been rather low on goals, their recent away games in League 1 have generally gone the other way. Looking at Wednesday's last ten road trips, they have scored at least twice in nine of those away days and have won five of the last six. Overall, Wednesday have failed to score in just one of 14 League 1 road trips.

Blackpool were drawn at non league neighbours Fleetwood Town in the third round and they quickly put any hopes of a giant killing to one side, eventually going on to win the game 5-1. In the Championship they have lost just one of their last eight but its the goals stats that take the eye with each of the last five seeing backers of over 2.5 goals collect. Whilst Blackpool home games were bankers for “overs” backers in last seasons Premier League campaign, the same bet hasn't been anything like as profitable this time around a division lower. However, they have only failed to score in two of 13 league matches in front of their own supporters and the goals per game average looks to be increasingly slightly as the season wears on.

The Betting - Match Result

Blackpool 9/10 Sportsbet, BetXchange

Draw 5/2 World Sports Betting, Sportsbet, BetXchange, Sportingbet, Ladbrokes

Sheff Wed 7/2 BetXchange, Ladbrokes

Selected Others

Under 2.5 goals even money World Sports Betting, Voltbet, Sportingbet, Ladbrokes

Over 2.5 goals 8/10 World Sports Betting, BetXchange

Odds are correct at the time of publication but are subject to change. Some bookmakers may not have priced up on all markets at the time of publication. Remember you can bet in play where available.

The Verdict

Although it's likely that promotion from their respective divisions is the priority for both teams, I'll bank on significant interest in a cup run to hopefully ensure we get a decent game. A replay wouldn't really do either team any favours with important league matches coming thick and fast and that would also lend itself towards both teams trying to win it at the first time of asking. With the stats suggesting goals at both ends is a decent possibility, I'll take a view we will find a winner as well and go with over 2.5 goals

Bet: Over 2.5 goals 8/10 World Sports Betting, BetXchange

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