19 March 2023 , 01:01
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Punt Solly March for a Seaside Special today.
Gary Lineker is your BBC host for Grimsby at Brighton in the FA Cup (2.15pm, BBC1). In the interests of balance, Nigel Farage will be ‘pitchside’, blaming the French.
The last time these two clubs met was in 2004. Lineker had already been ‘on the crisps’ for a decade by then. He clearly has a very different metabolism to me, or very different crisps.
Fat would seem to sum up the bookmakers’ view of Grimsby’s chance today. Brighton are as short as 1/66 to qualify, but I’d quaver at taking that sort of price – the League Two Marriners are far from no-hopers, just ask Southampton.
That said, two Brighton stars have really shone since the World Cup – one who went and one who didn’t – and each are worth some sort of scorer punt if starting.
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March is flying with goals in six of his past 13. Japan’s Qatar star Kauro Mitoma matches that strike rate. Both should fancy a long-range pop here.
Take March ‘anytime’ at 23/10 (Paddy), ‘March scores from outside box’ at 9/1 (Bet365), and ‘Mitoma scores from outside box’ at 12/1 (Hills).
Fulham have kept one clean sheet in nine matches against the Big Six, and go to Manchester United (4.30pm, ITV, FA Cup) after shipping six goals in two games. Marcus Rashford ‘anytime’ at 21/20 (Bet365, 90mins) is a fair coin-flip.
The lunchtime tie on ITV sees Sheffield United host Blackburn (12noon) and the Blades’ big Anel Ahmedhodzic is a fun TV angle to ‘score a header’ at 22/1 (Bet365).
The general 1/4 that Arsenal beat visitors Crystal Palace in the Prem (2pm) looked far less wobbly before Thursday, when a Europa shoot-out exit put some hard miles on the clock and did injury damage to the Gunners’ defence.
The 14/1 (Skybet) ‘no goalscorer’ is worth a go on Palace’s data. But for Arsenal angles take Leandro Trossard ‘scores or assists’ for your bet builder at 8/13 (Paddy), and ‘scores from outside box’ at 10/1 (Hills). Check starters.
In Spain, Barcelona ’s in-form Raphinha is a steal at 11/4 (Bet365) ‘anytime scorer’ when Real Madrid visit for El Clasico in La Liga (8pm).
Last week: Winners at 9/4, 3/1 and 7/4