Saturday's FA Cup first-round predictions and free football tips from Aaron Ashley

When to bet

3pm Saturday

Best bets

Exeter to beat Barnet
2pts 19-20 general

Walsall draw no bet vs Bolton
2pts 13-8 bet365

Both teams to score in Wycombe vs York
1pt 10-11 bet365

Fleetwood or draw double chance vs Reading
1pt 5-6 Hills

Aaron Ashley's FA Cup predictions

Exeter vs Barnet

Upsets are synonymous with the FA Cup and National League highflyers Barnet may feel they have the necessary credentials to give League One Exeter a scare in their first-round tie.

However, the prices may actually overrate the chances of a shock given that Exeter are two divisions higher than their opponents and are usually reliable at their St James Park base.

Grecians boss Gary Caldwell won the FA Cup as a player with Wigan in 2013 and he has hinted that he won't treat the competition as a distraction.

The hosts have won five of their seven home matches in all competitions this season and should have the measure of a Barnet side who have lost five of their eight away games in the National League.

Walsall vs Bolton

Bolton manager Ian Evatt insists next weekend’s League One trip to Stockport will take priority over FA Cup progression and a weakened Trotters team could be vulnerable to an upset at Walsall.

Wanderers are dealing with a raft of first-team injuries – Nathan Baxter, Gethin Jones, George Thomason, Carlos Mendes Gomes, Jordi Osei-Tutu, Eoin Toal, Chris Forino and Kyle Dempsey are among their absentees – and Evatt is expected to make plenty of changes for the trip to the Bescot Stadium.

However, giving playing time to some of his fringe players could spell trouble against Walsall, who are flying high in second in League Two and have won five of their six home outings in the fourth tier.

Wycombe vs York

Wycombe have emerged as the surprise package in League One this season, with the Chairboys second behind big-spending Birmingham following a ten-game unbeaten run.

However, with league trips to Stockport and Wigan to come, manager Matt Bloomfield has hinted at plenty of changes for their cup clash with York which should give the in-form Minstermen cause of optimism.

York are setting the early pace in the National League, having suffered only one defeat in 16, and they can play their part in an entertaining cup clash at Adams Park.

Both teams have scored in seven of Wycombe’s last nine matches in League One and in four of York’s last five in all competitions.

Reading vs Fleetwood

Reading have made an impressive start to the League One campaign despite off-field issues and injuries impacting an already-threadbare squad, so an FA Cup run may be a long way down the Royals’ list of priorities.

Manager Ruben Selles has admitted that his focus is on league matters ahead of their first-round tie against Fleetwood, who will be keen to end a four-game winless run and regain some composure.

The Cod Army have had an indifferent start to the League Two season but they have lost only two of their seven away games and could prosper against what is likely to be an inexperienced Reading line-up.

Accumulator

Leeds 1-5, Sunderland 11-10, Bradford 8-15, Exeter 19-20
£1 acca returns £7.52 with Coral & Ladbrokes

First goalscorer

Kairo Mitchell Rochdale vs Bromley
at 5-1 bet365

The Rochdale forward has bagged nine goals in 16 National League appearances this season and he could bolster his reputation at home to League Two strugglers Bromley, who have won only one of their last 11 league matches.

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