Sunderland have looked a touch more solid in recent weeks, ahead of the potentially tricky FA Cup tie against Carlisle.

As the Black Cats are a couple of divisions above the Cumbrians, Gus Poyet's men are strong favourites at 4/11 with Paddy Power to move into the fourth round at the first attempt.

The visitors are 9/1 via bet365 to cause an upset at the Stadium of Light, where BetVictor post 4/1 against them forcing a replay and it's 6/1 (BetVictor) to be a score draw while more specifically, betway offer 10/1 about a 1-1 scoreline.

Punters sensing that the League One side can raise their game to secure a stalemate in light of the likely changes made by Sunderland can also go for two inconclusive halves at 13/2 courtesy of Stan James.

Home fans, however, have seen their team pick up a few Premier League points recently so confidence on the terraces will be a little higher, potentially resulting in a few supporters tackling a 2-1 Sunderland triumph at 9/1 (Ladbrokes), bet365's 11/4 for Poyet's charges to shade it by one or a Steven Fletcher opener at 4/1 with Winner.com.

Despite it being an all-Premier League tie, Newcastle are odds-on at 8/11 courtesy of William Hill to get the better of Cardiff City as the pair face-off in what should be an entertaining FA Cup third round affair.

Stan James price the visitors at 4/1 to be into the hat for the fourth round draw and it's 3/1 with bet365 for the Welshmen to secure a replay, odds that won't be without market support.

Similarly, Ladbrokes's 7/1 for it to finish 1-1 might attract cash, alongside BetVictor's 17/4 about a score draw and the same firm's 11/2 for the teams to be inseparable when each half is brought to a close.

Alan Pardew's side are 2/7 in Skybet's Draw No Bet market but home advantage is set to prove crucial in this encounter and having already beaten the Bluebirds at the Cardiff City Stadium this term, the Magpies should have the upper hand.

BetVictor rate United at 8/1 to finish on the right side of a 2-1 scoreline, it's 7/4 at betway for Newcastle to be in possession of a lead at the end of each half and bet365 rate a home success by one at 13/5. Loic Remy, meanwhile, is well fancied at 4/1 via Paddy Power to break the deadlock.

Middlesbrough have taken ten points from their last available dozen in the Championship so they'll be confident as they prepare to entertain Hull in the FA Cup.

Despite the Tigers' top-flight status, bookies don't believe a Boro triumph would constitute an upset so Aitor Karanka's side are 31/20 favourites at bet365 while BetVictor rate the visitors at 85/40 and it's 5/2 (bet365) to finish all square.

Stan James price a goalless affair at 9/1 and betway make Middlesbrough 3/4 Draw No Bet, but recent form as well as home advantage might tip the balance in favour of Boro, who are 15/2 at Winner.com to grab the only goal.

Alternatively, Ladbrokes offer 33/10 about Karanka's troops nicking it by one, Paddy Power post 3/1 against Boro leading at the end of each half and it's a generous 8/1 courtesy of Stan James for Curtis Main to open the scoring.

Odds supplied by www.betrescue.com

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