Lays of the Weekend: Port Vale to cause cup rumblings

Micky Adams will be smiling if Port Vale repeat their 2009 victory

The FA Cup second round is here and Christian Crowther foresees a few League One casualties, or at least replays...

Lay Lincoln to beat Mansfield @ 2.588/5
This second-round clash is an all-Conference Premier affair showcasing two teams seemingly well matched, with only three points separating Mansfield in seventh from their hosts in tenth. Lincoln were on quite an imposing unbeaten run - ten games, among those their extra-time win over Walsall in the last round - until they met Tamworth in the FA Trophy last time out, succumbing 3-1 at the Lamb Ground. With their confidence slightly tarnished, the Imps now take on the Stags, who themselves were on a seven-match streak without losing prior to competing in that competition. Mansfield have a decent recent record against the Imps, unbeaten in the last three four meetings, including a win last term. This could well go to a replay. 

Lay Preston to beat Gillingham @ 2.111/10
With only three defeats all season in the highly competitive fourth tier of English football, Gillingham have held top spot in the division since as early as the fourth game. The Gills' FA Cup adventure got off to a real bang too, as the Kentish outfit pummelled League One opposition Scunthorpe 4-0 at Priestfield to set up this tie with Preston. In Deon Burton and Danny Kedwell, Gillingham possess two wily old strikers who have already notched 15 league goals between them but they fire goals in from all over the park. Preston have only won once in their last five games and, although three have been drawn, a 2-0 defeat to Leyton Orient last Saturday was not ideal preparation for this one. 

Lay Sheffield United to beat Port Vale @ 1.84/5
Port Vale are also buzzing along in League Two, currently second only to the Gills, but tellingly the Valiants represent the division's top scorers by seven clear goals. Micky Adams' highly entertaining Vale side have banged in nine in their last three matches alone and are also on a six-game unbeaten streak - winning the last two by a 7-1 aggregate. Striker Tom Pope is having the season of his life at Vale Park, currently the League Two top scorer with 19, including two hat-tricks. Sheffield United are certainly to be respected, lying fourth in League One at present, though an imperious five-match winning streak has crumble of late, with the Blades following it with just one win in as many games - losing twice. Vale also have previous on this ground, having dumped United out of the League Cup back in 2009.