FA Cup tips: Ian Wright’s betting preview featuring West Ham, Watford and Brighton vs Crystal Palace

THE Premier League may be taking a break this weekend but there’s no rest for the wicked and IAN WRIGHT isn’t putting his feet up either.

Here, the Arsenal and England legend runs the rule over three juicy FA Cup encounters to bring you some hot betting tips.

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Shrewsbury vs West Ham – Andy Carroll to score first, 5/1

I’m covering this one for Match of the Day and while many will expect David Moyes to rest a few for this fixture I hope he doesn’t, because a good cup run would do the Hammers the world of good.

Don’t forget the Scot only has a six month deal at the London Stadium so he can’t afford to be going out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle, especially against a team from League One – regardless of the Shrews’ form.

When I was playing you were never worried about being dropped or rested for an FA Cup game as it was always seen as one of, if not the, premier competition.

What you were worried about was the unknown against sides you knew very little about that will be pumped up for the game of their lives in front of their own fans. West Ham will need to put in a shift to come good here against a side that’s used to winning week-in, week-out this season.

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If you’re Man City and you’ve got one eye on the Champions League then fair enough, rest a few key men, but West Ham are playing for nothing other than mid-table mediocrity this season so they should be taking the FA Cup seriously and I expect to see the big names in the starting XI.

It will be a tight game as Shrewsbury have home advantage and are riding the crest of a wave having won six and drawn two of their last eight but if the likes of Andy Carroll and Manuel Lanzini are on the pitch I can see a 2-0 or 3-0 win for the Irons, with the latter the more tempting pick at 16/1.

And if you’re looking for a first goalscorer I think the Shrews won’t know what to do with Andy Carroll. The giant forward’s physicality sets him apart and he looks a good bet to net first at 5/1.

Watford vs Bristol City – Andre Gray to score first, 4/1

Marco Silva’s Watford came flying out the blocks earlier this season but they have failed to maintain that pace and come into this game in dire form.

One win in nine, with seven losses in that time, means confidence will be low at Vicarage Road so this is an ideal opportunity for the team and a few individuals to pick up a much-needed boost.

One man in particular who should be looking to capitalise is Andre Gray. We’re still waiting to see him make much of an impact following his big-money move from Burnley.

Yes he scored in the 3-1 defeat to Man City last time out but that’s just his third goal in 22 outings and he’ll be looking to net here against Championship opposition and hope that kick-starts a run for the second-half of the season.

That need for a goal makes him a threat against Bristol City and while he’s not someone I’d back regularly in the Prem I fancy him to net the opener here at 4/1.

Having knocked holders Manchester United out of the League Cup the Robins have some confidence to draw on, despite going down 5-0 to Aston Villa last time out.

The win against United will have them believing they can beat Watford but for me the Hornets are too good on paper and in too much need of a win, any win, to let this slip, I fancy City to score though so the 10/1 on a 3-1 home win would be my advice.

Brighton vs Crystal Palace – Christian Benteke to score first, 11/2

What a great game! I can see both Chris Hughton and Roy Hodsgon putting out strong teams here. What Roy has done in such a short time at Selhurst Park is unbelievable and he’ll want to keep that momentum up with a win here.

Brighton’s form has not been so good and while they were unlucky to lose two points against Bournemouth they have struggled to score goals of late and Hughton will want his best players out there trying to play their way into form.

Palace aren’t guaranteed safety but I can’t see them going down now so for me they should be concentrating on a good cup run and I fancy them to get the win here.

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It’s hard to predict the line-ups but I’d be playing Christian Benteke in this one as he’s another striker in desperate need of a goal. He’s netted just once in 16 games this season so again a goal here would provide a vital confidence boost.

It’s a different competition with different pressure and that could mean a return to scoring form for the Belgian and I think his recent form means he looks slightly inflated at 11/2 to score first and for that reason he’d be my pick.

There won’t be much in this one but Palace have the confidence and the momentum so the 10/1 on a 2-1 win for the Eagles looks appealing.

Either way we’re in store for a great weekend of FA Cup action and I can’t wait.

Be lucky,

Wrighty