Betting Preview: Cheltenham

Paddy Power's latest odds for the Blues' FA Cup tie.

Everton kick off their 2012/2013 FA Cup campaign with an intriguing trip to League Two Cheltenham Town on Monday night.

The Blues went all the way to the semi-finals last season - securing a third day out at Wembley in four years - and, league form considered, will be hopeful of going even further this time around.  

It’s five years since David Moyes’ side lost a third round tie and Paddy Power make the Toffees 1/3 favourites to progress at Whaddon Road, with the home side priced at 8/1 and the draw at 4/1.

Man of the moment Leighton Baines has scored in each of Everton’s last three third round wins, penalties against Tamworth and Carlisle coming either side of a curling late strike against Scunthorpe United.

The left-back is 12/1 to extend that record by getting the game’s opening goal on Monday or 9/1 to be Everton’s first man on the scoresheet. The England star is also 17/2 to notch from outside the box in Paddy Power’s Match Specials, while a substitute to score for Moyes’ men – as Victor Anichebe did against Newcastle on Wednesday - is 9/4.

Interestingly, Nigerian international Anichebe is 6/1 to get the game’s first goal or 7/4 to breach the Robins’ rearguard at any time.

The online bookmakers are also offering 17/10 that a penalty is awarded in the game, 7/2 that the Toffees score from the spot and even money that Everton win to nil.

A repeat of Wednesday’s 2-1 win at St James’ Park is tempting at 15/2, while the Toffees to score exactly two goals is available at 9/4.

The trip to the North East saw leading scorer Marouane Fellaini return from a three-match suspension and the Belgian is 9/2 to opening the scoring or 6/5 to get on the scoresheet at any time in the game.

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