The televised FA Cup third round replay on Tuesday, 15 January sees mid-table Championship club Blackburn Rovers battle Premier League strugglers Newcastle United at Ewood Park (BTSport 2, 19:45 GMT).
Six of Rovers top scorer Bradley Dack’s 13 goals across all competitions this term have come at home and, against a travelling Toon outfit that could do without this game, he looks splendid value in a 16/5 wincast with Paddy Power.
Attacking midfielder Dack bagged the opener in the original tie at St James’ Park, only for Magpies winger Matt Ritchie to cancel that out with a penalty. While the Toon Army would like nothing better than a major trophy after so many years of waiting, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has downplayed expectations.
The Magpies will struggle to “have a go” in the FA Cup, according to the Spaniard, because a cup run is a distraction from yet another Premier League relegation battle. Last season’s final table flattered many a side with Newcastle now languishing in the bottom three.
Hosts can make hay
Looking to capitalise on a downbeat travelling Toon is Dack, whose 18 league goals helped fire Blackburn out of League One last term. He is already on double figures for this campaign, so has proven he can take his form to a higher level.
Dack is the perfect foil for former Sunderland target man Danny Graham up front as a midfield runner. It’s no surprise to see he leads Rovers’ assists charts as well as goals. Following those pre-match comments from Benitez, Blackburn are made 6/4 betting favourites with BetVictor to win the tie in 90 minutes.
Given Dack has already proven he can breach the Newcastle defence, it makes perfect sense to combine anytime scorer and match result bets into one wager. If you’re a more cautious punter and prefer backing the outcomes separately, then Dack is around a 2/1 chance for a goal in normal time.
Bet of the day: Paddy Power 16/5 win/score double; Blackburn to beat Newcastle and Bradley Dack to score anytime.
