Can Villa get past the Blades at Bramall Lane?

Spread betting bookmaker Sporting Index is running a full range of markets on the FA Cup third round matches this weekend. It wouldn't be the FA Cup without a few upsets at this early stage, so it's a good time to have a punt and maybe win a few quid. Sporting are offering a range of huge free bets to new clients, as well as an FA Cup special for everyone - details below.

Meanwhile, to help with your punting decisions, we spoke to the senior Football Market Maker at Sporting for a bit of insight on the live TV games:

Wise words
"Saturday's first match features an out-of-sorts Villa travelling up the motorway to Sheffield United. Well beaten by Palace earlier in the week, and on the back of a poor run over Christmas, the visitors will have to work to win this one. They've only scored once in their last five matches, and this loss of form shows no sign of relenting. United, on the other hand, come in to this game on the back of a 2 - 0 away win against West Ham, and with players like Tonge and Gray delivering on a weekly basis they could cause an upset. We're predicting that Villa will just edge it by a margin of 0.3 to 0.6 goals, and it'll be a closely fought battle of a match.

"Later that day, Plymouth play host to Everton. The visitors are eligible to field record new signing Beattie, and it'll be very interesting to see the effect he'll have on their formation. Their current system has been doing so well for them, I can see no reason for them to change it, especially away from home. On the other hand, you don't pay that much for a player without adapting to suit his style. Beattie is not really mobile enough to play up front on his own, and I personally expect to see him paired up with another player.

"I've said before that Everton are the kind of team that are greater than the sum of their parts. Gravesen, however, is a big cog in this machine, and will be sorely missed if he does leave this month. I'm impressed with Cahill this season too - he's cut out the bookings which took the edge off his performance last season.

"Argyle's Frio is worth keeping an eye on; he's being allowed to roam by Adams and it's paying off for the Pilgrims in the form of goals. Plymouth haven't got a great home record, but will have been reminded of Shrewsbury's success at this stage of the Cup two years ago, when they took out the Toffees. It'll also be interesting to see how all the recent matches will affect these teams that are playing away, and whether there are any adverse effects.

"Sunday's BIG game could see the biggest Cup upset of all time, if lowly Yeading (currently residing two leagues below the Conference) can take down Newcastle. We've priced the Magpies up as favourites, to win by a margin of 2.5 to 2.8 goals. There's a possibility that all of Souness's strikers will be available, but there is a good chance he won't risk the big names. Saying that, I would expect to see new signings Boumsong and Babayaro get a run around for the first time. Yeading are far and away the best team in their league and have a good, progressive approach to their football. I'll be keeping a watch on their two main strikers, DJ Campbell (normal job = Warehouseman, ex=Stevenage) and Telemaque (normal job = Plasterer, ex Hayes and Stevenage) - they've both got plenty of Conference experience and will be out to impress.

"Finally, the Scottish FA Cup draw has thrown up a very tasty Old Firm derby, at Celtic Park, and we're tipping the Hoops to win by 0.4 to 0.7 goals. Rangers have just sold their best defender to Newcastle, and he'll certainly be missed. Fortunately for them, they don't have any major injuries to worry about, and new striker Buffel, signed from Feyenoord, could start. The home side are missing Lennon (suspended, from last year's competition), but his absence does not compare to that of Boumsong's. I like the look of young Celtic winger Aiden McGeady, who's broken in to the first team this season and is impressing, and Hartson has also signed a new three year deal.

"With Hugh Dallas refereeing this match, we shouldn't see too many cards as he has a reputation for being sensible. Whichever way the game goes, we're expecting another Old Firm classic and have already seen plenty of punters backing the visitors. My personal tip for this cup would be over in Gretna, who are hosting Dundee United - anyone backing the visitors there should do well..."

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That should have given you something to think about. For an extra incentive to join Sporting Index, open an account today and you can claim the biggest free bet offer on the web:

"A free £100 per goal football bet after just 5 bets, and another one after a further 5 bets!"

These massive free bets can be used on any live/televised Premiership or Coca Cola Championship matches before 31st January 2005, so hurry up and choose your games!

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Cup swpecial for ALL clients
All clients, new and existing, can take advantage of a very tasty FA Cup special on offer this weekend: "Buy a player's goal minutes in any live FA Cup match this weekend and if he scores in the first 20 minutes but doesn't score again, Sporting Index will double his final result".