Saturday's FA Cup predictions including Bolton vs. Barnsley

South Shields vs. Forest Green (Saturday, 12.00pm)

League One outfit Forest Green Rovers will be bidding to progress to the second round of the FA Cup when they make the trip to South Shields on Saturday afternoon.

South Shields have had to win four matches in this season's competition to progress to the first round, overcoming Workington, Shildon AFC, Marske United and Scunthorpe United.

We say: South Shields 0-2 Forest Green Rovers

South Shields were excellent against Scunthorpe in the last round of the competition, but we are finding it difficult to back the home side here. Forest Green will have superior quality all over the field, and we are expecting the League One side to progress to the next round.

Bradford vs. Harrogate (Saturday, 12.30pm)

It will be a local West Yorkshire derby on Saturday in the FA Cup when Bradford City welcome fellow League Two side Harrogate Town to the Northern Commercials Stadium.

The visitors are without a victory in their previous three matches in all competitions, which they will want to change in their first-ever meeting with the Bantams in this competition.

We say: Bradford City 2-1 Harrogate Town

With this being a local derby this is likely going to be a closely contested match, with Harrogate Town having confidence from recent results away at Bradford.

However, the Bantams have been the stronger of the two teams this season, and with the home advantage they should be able to get the victory.

Bolton vs. Barnsley (Saturday, 2.00pm)

League One rivals Bolton Wanderers and Barnsley will lock horns at the University of Bolton Stadium on Saturday afternoon, with a spot in the second round of the FA Cup on offer to both sides.

The home side have won the FA Cup on four previous occasions, while Barnsley lifted the trophy back in 1911-12 after being finalists for the first time in 1909-10.

We say: Bolton Wanderers 2-1 Barnsley

There is not an awful lot between these two sides in terms of quality, and we are expecting a close match on Saturday afternoon. Barnsley certainly have the quality to triumph, but we just a have a feeling that Bolton will progress to the second round of the competition courtesy of a narrow success.

Newport vs. Colchester (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Newport County host fellow League Two strugglers Colchester United at Rodney Parade in the FA Cup first round on Saturday afternoon.

The hosts sit 18th in the fourth tier whilst the visitors are rock-bottom, five points behind the Exiles.

We say: Newport County 1-0 Colchester United

The hosts' recent performances in the FA Cup and the fact that they remain unbeaten under new manager Graham Coughlan mean that they should have the edge over the visitors.

Taking Colchester's poor away form in the competition over the past few years and the fact that they have failed to win in their last five matches in all competitions this season, it is hard to argue the case for the away team.

MK Dons vs. Taunton Town (Saturday, 3.00pm)

National League South occupants Taunton Town will hope to be on the correct end of an FA Cup giant killing when they tackle League One side MK Dons at Stadium MK for Saturday's first-round clash.

The visitors are plying their trade in the first round for only the third time in their history, while Liam Manning's men enter the competition aiming to push their league woes aside after a challenging start to the campaign.

We say: MK Dons 3-0 Taunton Town

In spite of MK Dons' underwhelming form at home, a lack of ruthlessness on the road is set to be Taunton's downfall against higher-level opposition this weekend.

Dray's men ought to enjoy the moment at Stadium MK, but the visitors will surely be consigned to a first-round exit as the Dons pick up a morale-boosting win and ticket to round two.

Crawley vs. Accrington (Saturday, 3.00pm)

League Two outfit Crawley Town will welcome League One side Accrington Stanley to West Sussex on Saturday afternoon in the first round of the FA Cup.

Crawley will enter the contest off the back of a 1-1 draw with Bradford City in the league last weekend, while Accrington also played out a 1-1 draw with Lincoln City in their last fixture on Tuesday night.

We say: Crawley Town 0-1 Accrington Stanley

We are not expecting this to be a particularly open and entertaining match, with perhaps just the one goal deciding the contest. Crawley are in strong form at the moment, but Accrington will arguably be able to send the better side onto the field, and we fancy the visitors to win this one.

Solihull vs. Hartlepool (Saturday, 3.00pm)

League Two strugglers Hartlepool United will be bidding to book their spot in the second round of the FA Cup when they take on National League side Solihull Moors on Saturday afternoon.

The visitors are currently 23rd in the League Two table, boasting just 12 points from their opening 17 matches, while Solihull are fourth in the National League table, having collected 30 points from their first 17 games.

We say: Solihull Moors 2-1 Hartlepool United

Solihull's recent form has been impressive, but the same cannot be said for Hartlepool, who have had a difficult start to the season. We are expecting a close match on Saturday afternoon but believe that the home side will progress to the second round of the competition courtesy of a narrow success.

Peterborough vs. Salford City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Peterborough United take on Salford City at the Weston Holmes Stadium in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

It is a first competitive meeting between the two clubs, with the home side in League One, and the visitors in their highest ever division, League Two.

We say: Peterborough United 2-0 Salford City

Peterborough are on a good run of form, and they should win this one fairly comfortably. The visitors are one of League Two's better sides, but they cannot compete with the type of quality possessed by a team that is pushing for promotion to the Championship.

Sutton vs. Farnborough Town (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Sutton United welcome Farnborough Town to the VBS Community Stadium in the FA Cup first round on Saturday.

It is the first competitive meeting between the two sides since 2015, when they met in the National League South, a game in which Sutton ran out 2-0 winners.

We say: Sutton United 3-0 Farnborough Town

Sutton have not been at the races in recent times, but there is still a big gulf in quality between the two sides. This game serves as a perfect opportunity for the U's to get their season back on track, and we think that they will win comfortably.

Grimsby Town vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Grimsby Town welcome Plymouth Argyle to Blundell Park in the first round of the FA Cup on Saturday.

The two teams have not met in a competitive game since 2020, with the home side now in League 2, while the visitors are pushing for promotion from League One.

We say: Grimsby Town 0-2 Plymouth Argyle

Plymouth Argyle are in red-hot form, and they should be able to sail through to the second round. Grimsby Town have not won in three games, and we cannot see this run ending against the team that are top of the division above.

Carlisle vs. Tranmere (Saturday, 3.00pm)

In the second meeting between the clubs in the space of a week, Carlisle United host Tranmere Rovers at Brunton Park in the first round of the FA Cup.

Both sides have a good history in progressing from this stage of the competition, with the home side reaching the second round in 13 of their last 14 campaigns, while the away side have advanced in seven of their last eight.

We say: Carlisle United 2-0 Tranmere Rovers

Carlisle cruised to victory at Prenton Park last week, and they should have no trouble doing the same again on home turf. We expect the Blues to repeat the scoreline from last week and book their place in the next round.

Shrewsbury vs. York City (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Shrewsbury Town host York City in the first round of the FA Cup this weekend, as the Shrews seek to embark on another exciting cup run this season.

Meanwhile, the visitors are without a win in their four previous league outings and were eliminated from the FA Cup at this stage last year by Buxton.

We say: Shrewsbury Town 2-0 York City

This game brings two teams in similar form against each other, and as the cliche goes, anything can happen in the cup.

Both sides have struggled in front of goal this season, however, we think Shrewsbury's League One quality will shine through here.

Charlton vs. Coalville Town (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Charlton Athletic commence their FA Cup campaign against Coalville Town on Saturday at The Valley.

The hosts come into this clash fresh off the back of two thrilling encounters against Ipswich Town and Brighton & Hove Albion's Under-21s, while the visitors have won three of their last four outings in all competitions.

We say: Charlton Athletic 3-0 Coalville Town

Coalville have done remarkably well to get to this stage but we think this tie will be a bridge too far for them.

The Valley has become somewhat of a fortress for Charlton too - they have only lost once at home so far this season.

Weymouth vs. AFC Wimbledon (Saturday, 3.00pm)

Weymouth welcome AFC Wimbledon to the Bob Lucas Stadium on Saturday, in the first round of the FA Cup.

The home side have reached the opening round for the first time in 15 years, while Wimbledon made the third round last season, before losing to Boreham Wood.

We say: Weymouth 0-3 AFC Wimbledon

It is hard to see anything other than AFC Wimbledon storming to victory here, considering Weymouth's form and the gap between the sides in the English football pyramid.

Weymouth will be eager to cause an early FA Cup upset, but we struggle to see them having much joy against Jackson's side.