Hartlepool United vs Stoke City betting tips: FA Cup Third Round preview, predictions and odds

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Match preview

There’s always a few upsets on FA Cup third round weekend, so could one of them come in this tie in County Durham?

Stoke City reached their one and only FA Cup Final in 2011, this coming in the midst of their ten-year stay in the Premier League.

However, since being relegated in 2017, they’ve been rooted in the Championship, finishing between 14th and 16th each time.

Right now, the Potters are actually down in 18th, having lost their last two games against Burnley and Preston.

Before reaching round five last season, Stoke had lost in the FA Cup third round in five consecutive seasons, and could be prime candidates for a defeat this weekend.

Hartlepool United meantime are hovering just above the League Two relegation zone, after a thrilling 3-3 draw with Harrogate on New Year’s Day.

In this season’s FA Cup, Keith Curle’s team needed a replay to see off Solihull Moors, before seeing off the aforementioned Harrogate in the second round.

Thus, a victory here for Pools would see them reach round four in back-to-back seasons for the first time ever.

Can the fourth-tier strugglers cause an upset at Victoria Park?

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