The first round of the FA Cup takes place this weekend and the first game to focus on involves struggling Cheltenham who welcome Scunthorpe for this Friday night encounter.

The new Wembley seems a long way off but both sides will be dreaming of a final appearance at the state-of-the-art stadium next May.

Cheltenham lost to Oldham in their last outing but have been boosted by the news that on-loan duo Keith Lowe and Andy Smith are eligible.

Wolves defender Lowe and Preston striker Smith have been granted permission to play by their respective clubs, despite the fact they will be cup-tied when Championship clubs join the competition at the third-round stage.

A big gamble? Who knows but Cheltenham hope to take full advantage against a Scunny side who were held to a draw in the league the last time the two sides met in September.

However, the visitors are now manager-less after Brian Laws left for Sheffield Wednesday.

The 45-year-old signed a three-year contract at Hillsborough leaving the club in the lurch ahead of this important match and it is this development which sways our thinking towards the home side despite the fact that high-flying Scunthorpe are favourites with many bookmakers.

Betterbet.com offers 7/4 for a Cheltenham win - and we think we will see one of the first FA Cup shocks of the round.