Expert football betting tips for Saturday, January 10th 2026

The FA Cup third Round takes the main focus this weekend as the domestic football schedule continues into the New Year. There is plenty to get stuck into with a range of fascinating fixtures coming our way.

We've lit the beacons to grab the attention of the Odds Now Punters Panel. Five expert football tipsters with the knowledge and experience to provide the best football betting tips for the upcoming weekend's action.

Before we start this week's panel, let's take a look and see who is giving their thoughts this week.

Introducing the Odds Now Punters Panel

Matt Hill - As well as being Odds Now’s Head of Content, Matt is a vastly experienced tipster specialising in football and darts. His betting on the beautiful game has a strong lean towards the lower leagues.

Adam Drury - A regular football tipster for Odds Now, Adam enjoyed a hugely successful campaign in 2024-25, including landing three 50/1+ winners on his weekly EFL accumulator column alongside countless other top tips.

Steve Day - Experienced punter and football tipster. Steve has 15 years of experience writing football betting previews covering competitions both domestically and abroad.

Now, let's get into the good stuff!

What is your best bet for the football weekend?

MH: It's not the most inventive angle in the world but I think Manchester City -2.5 goals (8/13) and -3.5 goals (6/5) handicap vs Exeter isn't one to pass up. You might anticipate a hugely rotated City site offering up some opportunity to their lower-league opposition in these types of affairs but it's simply not been the case. They beat Salford 8-0 in round three last year, Huddersfield 4-0 three years ago and Swindon 4-1 four years ago. Add in the home advantage and this should simply be City dominating the ball and scoring at will. Not much FA Cup spirit there from me, I'm afraid!

AD: It may not be the biggest price but I have to take Man City to beat Exter to nil at 10/11, considering they are 1/20 to win the match. Put simply, I think there's a less than 50% chance of League One strugglers scoring at the Etihad Stadium, and City are almost certain to net, so this has to be value.

SD: The FA Cup 3rd Round always offers up the rare opportunity to back an underdog to pull off a giant-killing. I've immediately been drawn to Wrexham beating Nottingham Forest on Friday night in front of the TV cameras. The Welsh side are just over 3/1 with Bet365 to win. Phil Parkinson's side has a proven track record of cup runs in the Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac era.

Is there a favourite you would warn punters against adding to their accumulators?

MH: I see no appeal in backing Chelsea at 4/9 or shorter away at Charlton. This looks a really tricky first game for Liam Rosenior. Nathan Jones' men will be right up for the task against their lofty London foes and with the Valley bouncing, I wouldn't be at all surprised to see them go close to a major upset.

AD: I don't have much interest in Brentford at 2/9 away at Sheffield Wednesday. The Bees are in excellent form in the Premier League but will likely make wholesale changes, while Wednesday proved their giant-killing potential by beating Leeds on penalties in the Carabao Cup in August. It may be a nice relief for the Owls to focus on something other than their doomed Championship campaign, too.

SD: On the same note as the previous answer, I wouldn't touch Nottingham Forest with a bargepole. 4/5 to win away from home in the FA Cup against a Championship side that has a history of taking scalps in cup competitions? Even if the Tricky Trees win, it's poor value.

Give us a game that screams goals, please!

MH: I love the FA Cup third round for goals, so if you fancy a muggy over 1.5 accumulator for some fun, this may be the day to pull the trigger. Ipswich vs Blackpool stands out. The Seasiders are still finding their feet under Ian Evatt and their last three outings have seen them score six and ship seven. Kieran McKenna's hosts are hitting their groove now and can exploit those defensive frailties – though it wouldn't surprise me to see the visitors net too. Over 3.5 goals appeals at 13/10.

AD: I like the look of Fulham v Middlesbrough on Saturday afternoon. Boro are a front-foot side and I highly doubt will change their approach for a one-off game against Premier League opposition, but the Cottagers have the class to pick them off. Marco Silva's side beat Watford 4-1 at this stage last season and four of their last five home games have seen BTTS & over 2.5 goals land. That's available at 11/10 with Sky Bet.

SD: I'm going to take a punt on Newcastle vs Bournemouth. The Magpies have seen both teams score in 70% of their home league matches. The Cherries have witnessed BTTS in 80% of their away league games. Andoni Iraola's side has also experienced over 2.5 goals scored in 90% of their away league matches and these FA Cup ties between all-Premier League sides do offer up the chance for experimentation, which can in turn bring more goals.

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Any goalscorer or prop bets taking your eye from this weekend's slate?

MH: It's always team-news dependent in the Cup but focusing on that City vs Exeter game again, I think Divine Mukasa might be given the chance to impress here. The versatile attacking midfielder made his Premier League debut off the bench against West Ham last month and has impressed for the hosts' youth side this term, including netting a fabulous hat-trick against Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Youth League. Quotes of 11/10 for him to score anytime here (with money back if he doesn't start) certainly tempt me in. The 9/2 for him to score first is also worth a small investment.

AD: My eye has been drawn to the prices of Crystal Palace forwards at Macclesfield, who they should beat very comfortably. Brennan Johnson is aiming to get up to speed for the Eagles and he is available at 6/4 to score his first goal for the club on Saturday lunchtime. I also like the double with Tijjani Reijnders, who I expect to start for City against Exeter. That comes out at 5.25/1.

SD: OK, so I hope I'm going to jinx him, but the fact that Leyton Orient striker Dom Ballard has scored 4 goals in his last 5 league matches, including bagging three times in his last two home league games, means he's one to watch at 2/1 to score anytime with Bet365. The O's are hosting my Cardiff side this weekend, so fingers crossed I curse his finishing. If not, well, the winning bet is a little consolation! Bournemouth's Junior Kroupi to score or assist at 6/4 with Bet365 is also tempting.

The FA Cup third round takes centre stage. Can you spot any potential giant-killings at a nice price?

MH: Cheltenham Town aren't pulling up trees in League Two but have became a very decent outfit on home turf under club legend Steve Cotterill. The feel-good factor is strong at Whaddon Road and I'm happy to chance them at 9/2 when hosting a mediocre Leicester side. Results haven't been that bad but the feeling among Foxes supporters seems very negative and it's a no-win situation for them here. If they win, they've simply done their job. If not, it's a disaster.

AD: It has to be Cheltenham Town at 9/2 to beat Leicester City. The Foxes aren't in good shape as a club, and will likely make changes to their XI here, while Cheltenham are upwardly-mobile having won four of their last six home matches in League Two.

SD: As mentioned earlier, I can see Wrexham being a pick to beat Nottingham Forest at 3/1. Boreham Wood to beat Burton at 11/10 looks fair enough, despite the two-division difference. Portsmouth might not beat Arsenal, but at 10/1, they are worth some consideration against a likely hugely-rotated side, even if it's a draw or double chance bet.