The Four by Four column: A quartet of English football selections

Roberto Martinez' Wigan side look a decent bet to beat Macclesfield

Every weekend, four of betting.betfair's football writers will contribute one selection each from the top four leagues in English football, giving you, the readers, an exciting Fixed Odds Multiple option...

Macclesfield 6.5n/a v Wigan 1.51/2; The Draw 3.814/5

I wouldn't normally advise backing at odds as short as 1.51/2 but rarely has the price looked as attractive as it does for Wigan as they visit a Macclesfield team mid-table in the Conference, four tiers below. To offer context, Everton and Tottenham are just a slither longer away to Championship heavyweights Bolton and Leeds.

The Latics haven't been strangers to FA Cup embarrassment in the past, however they overcame a far more daunting lower-league trip by triumphing 1-0 at Bournemouth, who were unbeaten in 18 games and on the brink of a club record streak, in their third-round replay.

Macclesfield meanwhile have never claimed a Premier League scalp in the competition and, for all their heroics against Cardiff, it is notoriously difficult for non-league sides to break into the last 16.

Crawley, who have since shown that they were too good for that level, are the only entrants in the past 18 years to have reached the fifth round, and it was League Two team Torquay rather than a Premier League club unbeaten in three on the road standing in their way at this stage in 2010/11.

Michael Lintorn's selection: Back Wigan @ 1.51/2

Bolton 5.59/2 v Everton 1.68/13; The Draw 3.711/4

I'm sure there'll be a 'minor' shock somewhere this weekend with a Championship or League One side holding or even beating a Premier League outfit. Will it be at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday afternoon? I'd be very surprised if it was.

True, Everton have undoubtedly got a top four finish as their main target this season, but that doesn't mean they won't go all out to win this competition. I see no reason why David Moyes won't field a strong line-up against the Trotters, and even playing away from home Everton should be far too strong for the struggling Championship side.

It's fair to say that not all has gone to plan for Dougie Freedman since he quit Crystal Palace to take over at Bolton, and while I expect the home side to take this game seriously also by being a full strength, on current form and ability it's impossible to look beyond a Toffees victory.

Mike Norman's selection: Back Everton @ 1.68/13

Queens Park Rangers 1.618/13 v MK Dons 5.59/2; The Draw 3.55/2

One of the hardest aspects of previewing a cup game involving a Premier League team is the strength of the side that will be fielded. Rangers have improved under Harry Redknapp, and are unbeaten in 2013, scoring four and conceding just the two. But do the Londoners want a decent run in the knockout competition and jeopardise their top flight survival?

The basis of that improved form has been a shift in personnel, a more disciplined and organised defence and midfield, with an altogether better attitude. They were battered by nearly 50 crosses at West Ham last weekend, yet gained a point in that 1-1 draw. Their tactics were plain and simple that day and have been for the last two weeks, get Adel Taarabt to unlock a defence, and find the sole striker. Whether Redknapp will set up so defensively for an FA Cup tie is another question.

MK Dons manager Karl Robinson has really attacked the FA Cup with verve this season, beating AFC Wimbledon and then Sheffield Wednesday (courtesy of a replay), with two clean sheets against the Owls.

The Buckinghamshire side are very good tecnhically on the ball, with a 4-2-3-1 used for the majority of this League One campaign. Although they are missing a couple of key midfielders through injury in the shape of Stephen Gleeson and Luke Chadwick, the signing of Ryan Harley was excellent, as I have always liked his creative ability.

These two clubs met for the first time in any competition in the FA Cup last season, where they drew the original fixture 1-1. Opta stats reveal the R's have not won an FA Cup tie without the use of a replay since 1997. And I think the visitors will be good enough to trouble QPR, who might change one or two players in their line-up.

Alan Dudman'a selection: Back The Draw @ 4.03/1

Plymouth 1.758/11 v Accrington 4.47/2; The Draw 3.211/5

John Sheridon has made a striker his priority before this clash, with Warren Feeney (injured) and Nick Chadwick (suspended) ruled out. He has five options, all in experienced with 38 starts between them , but now players such as Ronan Murray and Rhys Griffiths have a chance to shine.

Conor Hourihane has two strikes in three games, so the team can find goals from other areas. This is a chance to build on the momentum of Sheridon's debut win, because Accrington have four straight away defeats and, much worse, one win in 10 league games. A relegation price of 3.711/4 looks tempting.

Ian Lamont's selection: Back Plymouth @ 1.758/11

Recommended Multiple

Back Wigan @ 1.51/2; Back Everton @ 1.68/13; Back The Draw in QPR v MK Dons @ 3.55/2; Back Playmouth @ 1.758/11; The Multiple pays approximately 14.7n/a

Multiple prices are based on our Fixed Odds product, so any winnings are exempt from commission.