Blades can cut down Orient

Sheffield United can prove too strong for Leyton Orient in their FA Cup third round clash at Brisbane Road on Tuesday night.

The Blades are 4-5 with most firms and, provided Kevin Blackwell plays something like his best team, that could be a generous price because Orient, without a win in six matches, are struggling to avoid relegation in League One.

By contrast, United are unbeaten in seven and a 1-0 win over Norwich City on Saturday means that they are up to fourth in the Coca-Cola Championship table.

James Beattie’s future at Bramall Lane remains clouded - the forward has been linked with a move to Stoke City - but the Blades did not require his services at the weekend and that can again prove the case.

Blackwell’s men have every incentive to progress because a fourth-round tie at home to either Norwich City or Charlton Athletic, who are both struggling in the Championship, beckons.

This pair meet in a replay at Carrow Road after the original encounter ended 1-1 nine days ago. Norwich are evens to progress and, at first glance, that looks fair enough because Charlton have gone 18 matches without a win.

However, the Canaries have not had much to chirp about themselves this term and, with Leroy Lita, their leading goalscorer, recalled by Reading,  look short of attacking options. Go against the grain, then, and back Charlton at 14-5 with Coral. A small flutter on the 20-1 that Paddy Power quote against the visiting team winning 2-0 is also tempting.