FA Cup 2nd Round 2025 Betting Preview

The FA Cup returns this weekend for the 2nd round of the tournament proper. 40 sides have made it through to the 2nd round, and we have all the betting action covered for the 20 fixtures. Read on below for the Spreadex Sports preview, with key stats, information and betting odds.

When is the FA Cup 2nd Round?

Friday 5^th – Monday 8^th December. The 2nd round kicks off with Salford hosting Leyton Orient on Friday night and concludes with National League side Brackley hosting Burton Albion.

Who is in the 2nd Round of the FA Cup?

40 sides from the English footballing pyramid have made it through to the 2nd round, whittled down from an initial 747 teams who entered the competition.

The 2nd round promises to host some exciting clashes, including two all-non-league affairs, with Slough v Macclesfield and Chelmsford v Weston Super Mare. The winner of Slough v Macclesfield will appear in the 3rd round for the first time in club history, giving fans a once in a lifetime opportunity should their side win. Hosts Slough are very slight favourites in this one, at 6/4 to win in the Spreadex fixed odds markets. You can also back Slough at 13/10 in our 2 Up Early Payout market, which pays out if your team goes up by two goals at any point in the match.

2013 champions Wigan Athletic will be looking to progress to the 3^rd round for the fifth consecutive season. They host League Two side Barrow on Saturday at 3pm. Wigan are strong favourites in this one, at 2/5 to win the match, with their opponents priced at 5/1.

Peterborough host Barnsley in an all-League One affair also on Saturday at 3pm. The home side lost when these teams met in a league fixture back in August, but are slight favourites in this crucial tie. Our spread betting markets have Peterborough favoured by 0.15-0.35 goals, while the total goals spread is set at 2.85-3.05.

When do the Premier League sides join the FA Cup?

The 3^rd round sees teams from both the Championship and the Premier League join the competition. For some of the smaller teams still in the competition, the prospect of drawing one of England’s footballing giants is a huge opportunity. An away tie at a top Premier League side offers great financial benefits for a small team. That’s why getting through the 2nd round is so important.

Who are the favourites for the FA Cup?

It’s no surprise that the Premier League’s elite are among the betting favourites for the tournament. Premier League champions Liverpool currently lead the way, at 4/1 to lift the trophy, with Man City and Arsenal close behind at 9/2 and 23/5 respectively. Reigning FA Cup champions Crystal Palace come in at 33/1. Of the teams in the 2nd round, League One’s Luton Town have the shortest odds, at 500/1 to triumph in May.

How to watch the FA Cup 2nd Round

Eight of the twenty 2nd round ties will be televised, with only the Saturday 3pm window subject to the usual blackout. TNT Sports 1 will show six of the games, including the first and last games of the round. BBC 2 will show Sutton v Shrewsbury on Saturday at 5:15pm and Boreham Wood v Newport at 2:30pm on Sunday.

When is the FA Cup 3rd Round Draw?

The draw for the 3^rd round will be announced before Brackley v Burton Albion, on Monday.

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You can visit our football spread betting education centre for all the information you need to understand our spread betting markets. See examples of how spread betting works, watch short explainer videos, and try interactive betting widgets to see how win or loss levels work on different bets.

Please note that this preview is not designed to offer any betting advice or suggestions. All prices quoted correct as of 10am 2nd December. Price Boosts and other markets will be added closer to kick-off time.