The fourth qualifying round of the FA Cup takes place this weekend. This is the final chance for non-league teams to book their place in the first round proper against teams from the football league.
As ever, there are some David vs Goliath ties in a non-league sense. Farnham against Sutton is one such match, and this is one of two matches that have been selected for live TV coverage across what is an action packed weekend of footy.
Below we have looked at a selection of the best games and named our FA Cup betting picks.
FA Cup quick tips for this weekend
- Farnham Town vs Sutton United – Sutton to win at 10/11 with Tote
- Wealdstone vs Whitstable Town – Wealdstone to win and over 3.5 goals at evens with Sky Bet
- Carlisle vs Boston United – Over 2.5 goals at 17/25 with Bet442
- Tamworth vs Hyde United – Tamworth (-1) to win on European handicap at 1/1 with Bet442
- Worthing vs Forest Green Rovers – Forest Green to win and over 2.5 goals at 21/20 with Sky Bet
Farnham Town vs Sutton United – Sutton to win (10/11)
Saturday’s televised FA Cup fourth qualifying round clash is between Farnham Town and Sutton United.
Farnham are enjoying the best FA Cup run of their 119-year history. A clash with their local rivals is a mouth watering proposition, and with Sutton struggling at the bottom of the National League, a potential shock could be in store.
Paul Johnson’s Farnham secured their place in the 4th qualifying round with wins over Erith Town, Burgess Hill Town and Dorchester Town.
Sutton United are at the wrong end of the National League. They’ve recently hired Chris Agutter as their new head coach as they attempt to turn around a season that has yielded only one win and sees the U’s languishing in 22nd place, with just eight points from their 14 matches.
As bad as Sutton has been this season, we do need to take the huge gulf in class into consideration for this match. This makes the fifth tier outfit an appealing wager at just under even money.
Back Sutton United to win at 10/11 with Tote
Wealdstone vs Whitstable Town – Wealdstone to win and over 3.5 goals (1/1)
After seeing off Dulwich, Chichester City and Hungerford, tier nine Whitstable Town will attempt their biggest shock of the competition when they face National League Wealdstone at Grosvenor Vale.
The Oystermen won the FA Vase in May and expectations were high ahead of the new season. However, things aren’t going to plan, with the team midtable in the Southern Counties East Premier Division, with 19 points from 9 matches.
That doesn’t tell the whole story of Whitstable’s season. Their successful run to this stage of the FA Cup means they have plenty of games in hand on the teams at the top of the league, and their current position is probably a false one.
If the Oystermen are to continue their fairytale run, they will have to overcome opponents that sit 87 places above them in the football pyramid.
Their opponents Wealdstone are 10th in the National League. They have 19 points from 14 matches, with five wins, four draws and five defeats. The Stones have won just one of their last six, although they are currently four matches unbeaten, with three draws and one victory.
With home advantage, Wealdstone should comfortably qualify for the first round proper and end Whitstable’s dream run.
Back Wealdstone to win and over 3.5 goals at even money with Sky Bet
Carlisle vs Boston United – Over 2.5 goals (17/25)
Mark Hughes’ Carlisle United will aim to avoid a potential upset when they host National League rivals Boston United.
The Cumbrians have enjoyed a solid start to life in the fifth tier after suffering relegation from League Two last season. The Blues have 29 points from 14 matches, with nine wins and two draws.
Boston were humbled 4-0 at home by Gainsborough Trinity at this stage last season. This season they will be hoping to make amends by winning a tough tie away from home.
It won’t be easy, though. Graham Coughlan’s team are struggling in the league with just 16 points from 13 matches. The main problem would appear to be scoring goals, they have just 14.
However, Boston are four matches unbeaten. This means they can approach the fixture with renewed belief, as finally their season seems to be heading in the right direction.
Expect a close encounter. Carlisle are likely to just edge it. But we are backing over 2.5 goals in case Boston manages to pull off a small upset. A 2-1 scoreline either way looks possible here.
Back over 2.5 goals at 17/25 with Bet442
Tamworth vs Hyde United – Tamworth (-1) to win on handicap (1/1)
Tamworth will be looking to repeat last season’s run when they face Hyde United in Staffordshire on Saturday.
The Lambs knocked out Huddersfield Town and Burton Albion on their way to a 3rd Round showdown with Spurs in the 2024/25 edition. After holding the Premier League giants to a goalless draw in 90 minutes, the fairytale run finally came to an end when Spurs put three past them in extra-time.
Andy Peaks’ team are currently on a six-match unbeaten run in the National League. However, too many draws this season have left them midtable with 22 points from their 14 matches.
Hyde sit 12th in the Northern Premier League Premier Division with 14 points from 11 matches. The seventh tier outfit have won two of their last three in the league, but this improved form is slightly masking a poor season that has seen them win just four times in the league.
En route to the fourth qualifying round, the Tigers have defeated Prescot Cables, Whitby Town and Matlock. Again, the gulf in class in this match is huge. Back Tamworth to win on the handicap.
Tamworth (-1) to win on European handicap at even money with Bet442
Worthing vs Forest Green Rovers – Forest Green to win and over 2.5 goals (21/20)
The second live TV match of the weekend is Monday night’s clash between Worthing of the National League South and Forest Green Rovers of the National League.
Managed by Robbie Savage, Forest Green have started the season strongly. They sit second in the table of the fifth tier on 29 points from 14 matches. However, they have been struggling in recent weeks, and are now three matches without a win.
Rovers lost 1-0 last weekend at home to Rochdale. A result that saw them lose top spot in the division.
A trip to Worthing could prove to be a potential banana skin, and is presumably why TNT selected it for their live match. But if they are to pull off a shock victory, Worthing will have to show a vast improvement on their form this season.
The Rebels are also without a manager after Chris Agutter left to join Sutton United, and they have lost two matches in succession since his departure.
The back-to-back defeats leave them sitting in the bottom half of the table with just 12 points from their ten matches. They don’t look in good enough form to cause an upset against Savage’s high-flying outfit.
Forest Green to win and over 2.5 goals at 21/20 with Sky Bet
About the author
Dean Etheridge
Dean Etheridge is an experienced freelance sports betting writer who specialises in football, cricket, and darts, with a keen focus on the Premier League and Champions League, as well as in-depth coverage of Premier League Darts and major tournaments. He can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game and beyond, delivering expert analysis across a range of sports. He predominantly covers the Premier League and Champions League but can turn his hand to all aspects of the beautiful game. You can follow Dean on LinkedIn (@deanetheridge)
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