...Surprisingly, there are no "all Premiership" ties for the third round and has set up more "Championship vs Premiership" matches than usual. Championship sides awarded a home tie against Premiership opposition have a good winning record in recent seasons and here are a few matches where an "upset" could be on the cards:

WBA vs Reading @ 3.40
Reading top the Championship table and are unbeaten away from home this season, winning nine and drawing five so far. Comparatively, the Baggies are hovering just above the Premiership relegation zone.

Sheff Wed @ 4.00 vs Charlton
Alan Curbishleys side have a dismal record in the FA Cup against lower opposition, last season losing to Leicester, 2003/04 losing away at Gillingham and at home to Walsall in 2001/02. The Owls are finding life in the Championship tough and will do well to avoid relegation but a possible cup scalp could provide a welcome distraction.

Norwich @ 2.75 vs West Ham
Relegated from the Pre...more

Five Fantasy Football Defenses That Will Shock You

... Perhaps that's why the Skins were 5th in the league in points against (16.6 per game) and tied for 4th in the league in total touchdowns against (30). Now, Spurrier would have thought this cake was finished cooking and let it simply cool by the window. However, Gibbs is a wise old man and decided to tinker with the icing a bit, drafting CB Carlos Rogers (Auburn) with the 9th pick in the draft and adding a couple of solid linebacking prospects with his 5rd and 6th round picks. Rogers has brought a nice little position battle to camp, which should raise the levels of play of all involved. This defense will by dangerous again this year and, perhaps, is worth your pick on fantasy draft day.

1. Buffalo Bills: Our top sleeper choice for fantasy defenses for the 2005 season has to be the Buffalo Bills. This team has all the ingredients, has passed the taste-test, and is ready for Betty Crocker's cookbook. Look at the numbers here. The Bills were 8th in the league allowing just 17.8 points per game in 2004. They allowed just 6 rushing touchdowns all season, good for 2nd in the league. Their passing defense was 3rd in the league at just 164.0 yards per game, totaling 45 sacks, good for third in the league. This well-rounded D was also 7th in the league against the run at 100.2 yards per game. Ok, now, sit down and brace yourself. Without much press, this Bills team grabbed a league best 39 turnovers! Only Carolina had more interceptions and only 3 teams recovered more fumbles. Overall, Buffalo allowed under 10 points 3 times last season and 20 or less points in 12 of their 16 contests. You could almost make the argument that this was the best defense in the league and almost certainly top five. Not much has changed in the offseason and this team continues to improve on offense, which should help the defense as well. Further, the Bills dodge the Colts again this season and play a soft out-of-division schedule including Tampa Bay, New Orleans and oakland, which should help in turnover differential and low point totals. This is the steal of the fantasy draft this season, so if you have the chance, be sure to grab up the Buffalo Bills defense on draft day.

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League One Betting Review - 13 February 2006

...m sealed victory for the 6/4 promotion chasing Terriers.

Swansea City earned their second win in a row at Nottingham Forest to keep the pressure on the automatic promotion places. The Swans recent poor form meant they were as large as 2/1 but goals from Adrian Forbes and Lee Trundle cancelled out Nathan Tysons opening goal for Forest.

Brentford moved up to fourth place by recording a fourth successive win at the expense of Bristol City. Lloyd Owusus goal 12 minutes from time earned victory at 9/5 fo...more

Getting Hearts and Hands Ready for the Holidays

..."At Christmas play and make good cheer, For Christmas comes but once a year." -Thomas Tusser

OK. Thanksgiving was wonderful, visiting with family and sharingfun stories and adventures; laughing around the dining roomtable, enjoying favorite stuffing and pies; watching parades andfootball games; and counting your many blessings.

It is now time to turn our attention to the many preparations for Christmas. Coming from a Christian perspective, I can speak for the anticipation which we all feel to celebrate the birth of the Christ-child. It brings us wonder each and every year, and the time and energy we put into its celebration never wanes. As I watch my jewish friends prepare for Hanukkah, I sense, too, the joy with which they prepare celebrations with loved ones.

The gift of sacrificial love is the true essence of Christmas.

Teaching your children to give generously and to give cheerfullymodels the life of Christ. Our God, who created each one of uswith more love than we can imagine, desires this same outpouringof love to others, and it is at Christmas that we likewise shareour love through gift-giving and through acts of generosity andhospitality. We are buoyed by the "Christmas spirit" because itis through giving--rather than receiving...more

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