The Pick Of This Weekend's Potential FA Cup Upsets | Thebigtip

It is not a very easy task to pick three results from a host of FA Cup games where so many could go either way and there are "banana skins" littered throughout the fourth round of the competition. However, there are a number of games where these potential shocks can be taken advantage of to the benefit of those who enjoy a weekend bet on the some bigger football odds. All these games are worth what as singles but if you're feeling brave, the treble returns odds of 168/1 ($169)!!

QPR v Chelsea – Home Win @ 5/1 ($6.00)

Not too many would agree with this but QPR have suddenly found new momentum under Mark Hughes and it would be typical of him to take on his old team and end yet another of Chelsea's silverware targets this season.

It is fair to say that the Blues have been less than convincing lately and with Fernando Torres still firing blanks and Frank Lampard out together with Drogba, the cutting edge is somewhat blunted. It is true that they had much of the overall play against Norwich in the Premiership last week but they came away from Carrow Road goalless and frustrated and looking in need of inspiration.

Queens Park Rangers on the other hand have won their last two games under Hughes and are playing with greater self belief. They netted three times last week against relegation threatened Wigan and could have scored more. Hughes will know that Chelsea will be very difficult to beat but he will also know that they are vulnerable at the back and in the FA Cup anything is possible and QPR are being tipped to beat their West London neighbours.

Leicester v Swindon – Away Win @ 6/1 ($7.00)

Despite their excellent win in midweek over Championship leaders Southampton, Nigel Pearson’s Leicester will have their work cut out to hold off League Two side, Swindon Town, who are flying under boss, Paulo Di Canio.

Leicester have yet to seriously take off under new boss Pearson but the win over Saints came after a 4-0 drubbing of Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup 3^rd Round Replay, which suggests possibly that they are now moving in the right direction in the Championship.

However, Di Canio is working wonders at Swindon this season; they have only been beaten once in all competitions since September and have already caused one FA Cup shock this season by knocking out Premier League side Wigan in the last round. The Swindon fans are expecting another big day out and know that this could be one of those games that produces an FA Cup "Giant Killing".

It will not be easy for them; particularly being the away team but Di Canio is a highly ambitious manager and will see this match as the perfect stage for his side to showcase what they are capable of and can take advantage of a Leicester side who are undoubtedly more concerned about moving up the league than they are with progressing in the FA Cup.  

West Brom v Norwich – Away Win @ 3/1 ($4.00)

This all Premier League tie is certain to be a very close game but it is Norwich who comes into with momentum on their side, having won three of their last four games. One of those wins of course was against the Baggies at the Hawthorns earlier this month where they won 2-1.

That win demonstrated just how effective Paul Lambert’s side is on the counter attack with both goals coming on the break and West Brom were helpless to prevent them. In James Morison and Grant Holt, Norwich has a very purposeful strike force, who never stop working and are proving to be an excellent combination. They will be a big worry for Roy Hodgson’s defence, who have kept very few clean sheets this season.

West Brom did look impressive going forward when defeating Cardiff in the third round by 4-2, and they bounced back after their defeat by the Canaries with a 2-1 win over Stoke City at the Britannia Stadium last week but that was their first win in the league this year having lost away at Spurs and at home to Everton and Premier League survival with be the priority for Albion. In contrast, Norwich's Premier League status looks assured for another season and they can turn their attention to a Cup run.