Although there is a midweek round of Premier League games to enjoy from Tuesday to Thursday night, including cracking matches between Chelsea and Arsenal as well as Wolves hosting Liverpool at Molineux, this week we are going to turn our attention to the action set to take place this weekend in the FA Cup Fourth Round.
The last round of the competition saw some interesting results, with a number of Premier League teams biting the dust against lower level opposition. With managers likely to make a number of changes to their teams for these games, resting a selection of top players, could there be opportunities for some of the lower league sides to cause an upset here?
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Let’s now take a look at the FA Cup games being played this week, starting with the one third round ties yet to be decided.
FA Cup Third Round Replays (Thu 23rd & Fri 24th Jan)
Tranmere Rovers v Watford
Watford boss Nigel Pearson faces four games in a week, but has already stated that the FA Cup is not a priority and as such, you can expect Watford to field a team of fringe and reserve players here. The Hornets gave up a 3-0 lead in the home leg to draw 3-3 against Rovers, but while that was a fine effort from Tranmere, it is hard to see the home side improving on that with a win here. Tip – Watford to win – 3/5.
FA Cup Fourth Round
Northampton v Derby County
The Cobblers have had a better season in League Two than Derby have had in the Championship thus far, but the quality that the Rams possess in their squad, including now Wayne Rooney, means that it is hard to back against them here. It will be close but Derby should win. Tip – Derby to win – 8/11.
QPR v Sheffield Wednesday
14th takes on 10th in the Championship in what should be an interesting game. Rangers beat the Owls at Hillsborough 2-1 earlier on in their season and they have won their last three home games well against Cardiff, Swansea and Leeds. Wednesday’s away form though is good, so this could well go to a replay. Tip – Draw – 12/5.
Brentford v Leicester City
This for me is the first chance of a shock in this competition. Leicester will likely rest a few first teamers for this one and Brentford are flying in the Championship, especially at home. Leicester have been shaky over the last few weeks and I think with a weakened team facing them, Brentford can take advantage. Tip – Brentford to win – 16/5.
Burnley v Norwich City
One of just a handful of all Premier League ties, both these teams come into this game on the back of a morale boosting win. I can see both managers resting a player or two after two league games in the week and if that is the case, I can just see home advantage being the key to a Burnley victory. Tip – Burnley to win – 17/20.
Coventry v Birmingham City
A midlands derby in the fourth round and one where I feel we could have a small shock on our hands. Birmingham have struggled in the Championship this season, whereas Coventry have done well in League One and of the two teams, I really fancy the home side to just about scrape the win against their local rivals. Tip – Coventry to win – 2/1.
Millwall v Sheffield United
Having played twice in this past week, I think Sheff Utd will rest a number of key men for this game and I think that hands a big advantage to Millwall. The New Den is always a very tough place to go, even for a full-strength team. Even so, I can’t quite see a Millwall win as I fancy the Blades to earn a draw to take the tie to a replay. Tip – Draw – 12/5.
Newcastle v Oxford United
Poor Steve Bruce’s team have suffered horrendously with injuries and I think they will rest some key men for the visit of Oxford. The U’s are a dangerous attacking side who score plenty of goals, but I think even with a slightly weaker side, Newcastle should be strong enough to get the win. Tip – Newcastle to win – 1/3.
Portsmouth v Barnsley
Two sides hovering near the lower reaches of the table in League One and the Championship respectively. I think both managers will name relatively strong teams for this game and it should be a close encounter with perhaps a replay needed to decide the victory. Tip – Draw – 12/5.
Reading v Cardiff City
Just three points separate these two teams in the Championship and both will be looking for a decent cup run to help swell their coffers. Reading won the league game between the teams in August 3-0 at the same venue and I fancy the Royals to pick up a similar result here today. Tip – Reading to win – 13/10.
Southampton v Tottenham
For me this is arguably the best tie of the round between a Saints side in generally good form of late, against a Spurs side still struggling, especially on the road. I can see both sides making a few changes for this game, but neither will want to make it too easy for their opponents. This could be a cracking game but I feel a replay may be needed to decide the winner. Tip – Draw – 13/5.
West Ham v West Brom
The Hammers will take on Championship high flyers West Brom in what should be an interesting game at the London Stadium. The home side badly need to get some form together, while West Brom have also had a few sticky results of late. For me, home advantage is the key here and as such, I am backing West Ham to win. Tip – West Ham to win – 4/5.
Hull City v Chelsea
Saturday evening’s game has obviously been picked by TV companies as a possible giant-killing, Hull have some decent attackers but Chelsea have been better on the road this season than at home and in truth, I think Frank Lampard’s team will have far too much for Hull in this one. Tip – Chelsea to win – 9/20.
Manchester City v Fulham
There’s no doubt Man City will rest players for this game, but even so they will still have a supremely strong team to face Championship promotion chaser Fulham. The Londoners will have a go against City and they may well grab a goal, but even so, I still expect the home side to win this comfortably. Tip – Man City to win – 1/8.
Shrewsbury Town v Liverpool
Liverpool will rest a number of top stars for this game but it will still be a strong team to face Shrewsbury. Given they beat Everton at Anfield in the third round, this young Reds side should be confident of getting the job done against their League One opponents here. Tip – Liverpool to win – 2/5.
Bournemouth v Arsenal
Monday night’s game is an interesting all Premier League clash on the south coast. Both these sides are not in the best of form at the moment and a cup run would be welcome for both. I do feel the home side are more likely to rest key men here and I think that could hand Arsenal the advantage. Tip – Arsenal to win – 17/20.
Games to be decided based on 3rd Round Replay Results
Tranmere/Watford v Manchester United
If, as I suspect, Watford make it through into the next round from their Thursday night replay, they will face Manchester United at Vicarage Road. While the Hornets will likely field a stronger team if they do get through, I can see United picking a strong team here as they have only the FA Cup to fight for domestically as they are 3-1 down from the home leg in the Carabao Cup semifinal to Man City. As such, I would expect United to pick up the win here. Tip – Man Utd to win.
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