FRIDAY:
ASTON VILLA V LIVERPOOL
A rematch of that game earlier in the season where Villa totally destroyed Liverpool 7-2. A lot has changed since then and this game could show us how far both teams have come since that game.
Despite their defeat to Man United a week ago, Villa are in good form and will be looking to bring that form into the cup this weekend. They beat Liverpool the last time they met in the FA Cup back in 2015 at the semi final stage and that a day Jack Grealish will know very well as that was the game where he burst onto the scene by setting up the winning goal which sent Villa to Wembley. He'll be up for this one because he netted in the big win at the start of the season and he would love Villa to go on a cup run this season as he is a boyhood Villa fan like his manager. Villa have no injury concerns going into this game which will be good news for manager Dean Smith as Villa look to beat Liverpool again and have a good shot at the cup themselves.
Liverpool have stumbled a bit after not winning any of their last three games. They've been toothless in attack since the 7-0 win at Crystal Palace before Christmas and against Southampton on Monday night were not themselves. They missed a lot of chances and did not look like themselves throughout the contest hence why they lost 1-0. Jurgen Klopp will definitely want his players to be up for it in this one because of what happened the last time they met at Villa Park and the dip of form they've suffered recently which he'll want to address immediately so his side don't lose their ground in the title race and suffer an early cup exit. Liverpool haven't taken this competition seriously in recent seasons so Klopp will want to field a strong team so his side have a chance of going far.
I think this one will be a Liverpool win because they've a few days to recover and they have surely learnt their lessons from the 7-2 defeat earlier in the season. They never take this competition seriously, but I think they should have just enough to win it.
PREDICTION: 1-2
WOLVES V CRYSTAL PALACE
This competition could be a great opportunity for Wolves to win something this season because they're not fighting out for anything in the Premier League at the moment. If they want to end their season in a positive way, a cup run or winning the FA Cup itself could be the best way for that to happen because they have the players in their squad for it to happen. They made the semi finals a couple of seasons ago and Nuno Espirito Santo will want his players to repeat a similar feat this time round. They've had to call back some players from loan spells in Patrick Cutrone and Morgan Gibbs White because of the amount of injuries they have at the moment. Daniel Podence is out for a couple of weeks alongside Raul Jimenez who is recovering from a fractured skull which takes a lot out of their attack because of how important they both are. They still have a good squad, but recalling the two loanees will add much needed depth that they haven't had all season.
Crystal Palace are another side who could have a god go at the cup this season because they don't really have anything to play for like Wolves. They're 14th in the Premier League and knowing the manager Roy Hodgson is and the squad of the players they have, they'll have enough to stay out of a relegation battle but not enough to mount a challenge for a place in Europe. Palace have reached the FA Cup final twice and have lost on both occasions. They both came against Man United in 1990 and 2016. Palace fans would love a cup run this season because they've got nothing to play for and because of that they should go for it as long as they don't make too many changes. Especially against lower league opposition. They should play a strong team in this one because they're up against a decent Wolves team.
I'm going for a Palace win because Wolves have a few players missing due to injury and Palace have no major injury concerns. I can see the pace that Palace have in their team in Zaha and Eze cause Wolves all kinds of problems.
PREDICTION: 0-2
SATURDAY:
EVERTON V ROTHERHAM
The FA Cup was the last competition that Everton won back in 1995 where they defeated Man United in the final at the Old Wembley. Manager Carlo Ancelotti won this competition with Chelsea back in 2010 and that along with the players Everton brought in at the beginning of the season will give the club as a whole a lift. Ancelotti was brought in to bring some silverware back to Goodison Park because of the trophies he's won throughout his career as well as get Everton competing for a place in Europe. He's on his way to doing that this season with Everton 7th in the league, level on points with 4th place plus he built a very good squad that has the ability to compete on two fronts. If he can pick strong teams in most rounds, Everton have a strong chance of being successful in this competition this season because of their squad and manager.
Rotherham are currently struggling in the Championship with the club second from bottom and three points from safety. Manager Paul Warne will at least want a performance from his players so he can give them a platform to build on in the Championship so they have a chance of staying up. This one will be a free hit for them because they're up against Premier League opposition and even if they go out, they'll get some prize money which every team gets when taking part in a cup competition. If they put in a good performance, they'll have something to build on when they're back in Championship action. This a game the manager and squad will be looking forward to without a doubt.
I think this one will be an Everton win because with the quality they have they'll be too strong for Rotherham. They'll rest some players with it being a cup tie, but they'll still have enough to win this game comfortably because of how strong their squad is.
PREDICTION: 4-0
BLACKPOOL V WEST BROM
Blackpool were in the Premier League this time 10 years ago and have had a bumpy ride since then. They've had issues with the ownership which lead to suffering back to back relegations before bouncing straight back to League 1 after a season in League 2 during the difficult reign of former owner Karl Oyston. They look more settled as a club now and have been since the Oyston's left. They're 13th in League 1 and they're an established club in that League after three consecutive mid-table finishes. They'll look forward to his tie because its against Premier League opposition and they would love to cause an upset against a Premier League side like most lower league clubs would do.
The FA Cup could be a good distraction for West Brom as they're struggling in the Premier League and a win in this one should give the team some confidence when they return to Premier League action next week. The Baggies are looking a bit down at the moment after crushing defeats at home against Leeds and Arsenal and Sam Allardyce will hopefully use this fixture to get some belief back into his players as they look to avoid relegation to the Championship. An FA Cup run is good for struggling teams because it can give them confidence in their quest to avoid relegation and that can carry on throughout the season once they start winning games after a barren run of form. West Brom will hoping to use that and to good effect as they look to avoid relegation.
I'm going for a West Brom win because I think they'll have enough to beat Blackpool. Blackpool are doing okay in League 1, but I think the Baggies will have enough in them to win this game and get some confidence on board.
PREDICTION: 0-2
BRISTOL ROVERS V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Bristol Rovers may be sitting three points above the relegation zone in League 1, but they're in decent form with 3 wins from their last five games. They might've been in better form if they didn't have games called off due to COVID which was the case three times in December. This is a game which they'll be looking forward to because it's against Premier League opposition and a win will give them plenty of confidence going into their next game in League 1 because that is what wins against Premier League sides can do. They might fancy themselves in this one because they're in some decent form and Sheffield United are struggling to win games in the Premier League. They would love to pull off an upset in this one if they were to win it even if it was against a struggling team.
This game could help Sheffield United's confidence because it's against a lower league opposition and a win in this one will give give them confidence going into their next Premier League game. A cup run for the Blades could save their season because they look doomed and a cup run will lighten the gloom they're currently under because of their poor form in the Premier League. I'm quite surprised that Chris Wilder is still in charge of the Blades because other clubs would've sacked their manager by now if their results were similar to the ones that Sheffield United have picked up this season. The players looked completely down after their defeat to Crystal Palace last weekend and a win in this cup tie could get a smile back on their faces and give them some much needed confidence.
I'm going for a Sheffield United win because they won't need to think about Premier League in this game and they'll see this as an opportunity to build some confidence within the team. Bristol Rovers will hopefully make it a close game, but I think the Blades will nick it.
PREDICTION: 0-1
BURNLEY V MK DONS
Burnley never really go far in the FA Cup because they're usually focused on staying in the Premier League. They're in some decent form in the league and they'll be looking to carry that into the cup so the players can remain confident and maybe go on a potential cup run. Sean Dyche will think about Premier League survival first he will not want his players to change their focus from league to cup which has happened to past Premier League clubs before like Wigan and Crystal Palace. Burnley should have enough to win this game as it's against a lower league opposition and a win in this one will give the Clarets some confidence going into their next game because that is what a win in the cup can do to teams near the wrong end of the table in the Premier League.
MK Dons are in a comfortable position in League 1 as they lie in 16th place and six points clear of relegation as well as seven points off the play offs. They were a stable League 1 club before a brief stint in the Championship and a brief stint in League 2 a couple of seasons later. They're looking to stabilise themselves again in the third tier and they're going about their business pretty well by keeping themselves away from the relegation zone. Manager Russell Martin is doing a decent job at the moment and at the young age of 35 is proving himself to be a good manager which isn't easy at that age. The Dons would love to cause an upset in this one because they would gain a lot of prize money and a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season.
I'm going for a Burnley win because I think they'll have too much for MK Dons. They're strong in all areas of the pitch I can see them win this game comfortably as the Premier League side.
PREDICTION: 3-0
QPR V FULHAM
QPR are struggling in the Championship this season with the hoops just two points the relegation zone in 20th. They haven't won in 9 games and the pressure appears to be on manager Mark Warburton to get results. Eberechi Eze has been a big miss for them because of the amount of goals he scored and how influential he was for them last season. They also lost Nahki Wells and Jordan Hugill who have both been a big miss like Eze because the pair of them were QPR's joint top goal scorer's in all competitions last season and their absence is probably having an impact on the team's performances this season. A win against Premier League opposition will give Mark Warburton's team plenty of confidence because they can carry it into the Championship and if they do, they could see an upturn in results which they need to move away from the bottom three.
Fulham did the double over QPR in the Championship last season winning both games 2-1. The Cottagers have drawn their last four games in the league and need to start winning so they can push themselves out of the relegation zone. They've played some decent stuff in those games, they just haven't had the killer instinct in the final third you need in order to stay up. A win in this one will give their forwards confidence because they haven't scored many goals this season and they need to start scoring goals regularly in order for Fulham to stay in the Premier League. Scott Parker may bring in a striker in January, but Fulham's forwards need to score goals if they're to stay up and a goal in this cup tie could do one of them some good.
I think this one will be a Fulham win because they did the double over QPR last season and QPR are struggling for goals at the moment. It'll be close, but I think Fulham will come away with the victory.
PREDICTION: 1-2
STOKE V LEICESTER
After a poor campaign last season, Stoke are back in the right direction with the Potters 8th in the Championship and two points outside the play offs. Michael O'Neill steadied the ship last season last season by keeping them up and continuing to do a good job this season by getting them towards the play offs. The Potters were going backwards after their relegation from the Premier League in 2018 and after the poor appointments of Gary Rowett and Nathan Jones, former Northern Ireland boss Michael O'Neill has got them back on track. He's assembled a good squad with a mixture of young and experienced players and if he continues to do what he's doing, Stoke could be back in the Premier League within the next two or three seasons.
Leicester reached the Quarter Finals of this competition last season and will be looking to go further this season for sure. They're having a great season in the Premier League and with the squad they have, they should be good enough to have a good go at the FA Cup. Brendan Rodgers has used his squad really well this season in both the Premier League and the Europa League by not overplaying certain players and keeping the key players fresh. The Foxes have been pretty good away from home this season and won on their travels again by winning at Newcastle on Sunday. James Maddison and Youri Tielemans both scored and stood out in that one and they've been key players for the Foxes this season. The Foxes will probably rest some players as it's a cup game but they should field a strong side because they have a strong squad full of talented players in all positions.
I think this one will be a Leicester win because they'll have too much for Stoke. They have a good squad of players and I can see the players coming in like Iheanacho and Under making an impact in this game.
PREDICTION: 1-3
ARSENAL V NEWCASTLE
Cup holders Arsenal are in good form at the moment after three straight wins following a rotten run of results. The young players have stood out in all of them with Bukayo Saka and Emile Smith Rowe impressing the most with goals and assists in each of the last three games. Arsenal appear to be heading in the right direction off the pitch as well as on it by beginning their clear-out. Mikel Arteta said that he plans to move some players on during the January window and a clear-out is what Arsenal have needed ever since Arsene Wenger left. If Arsenal can move on the out of favour players like Ozil and Mustafi and bring in one or two new faces, they'll hopefully push themselves up the table because that's what a club clear-out and some new signings can do. If they can carry their form into this cup tie and their next Premier League game, they could have a positive end to the season if they keep it up.
The FA Cup was the last trophy that Newcastle won back in 1955 which was a very long time ago. They reached the Quarter finals last season only to play negative in a 2-0 defeat to Man City. Some fans are not happy with Steve Bruce because he sets the team up in a negative way in most games and the fans themselves want to see attacking football and players putting in the effort. Despite all that Steve Bruce is doing a good job in keeping the Magpies away from the bottom three and he's doing that by getting good results. They didn't show up for the majority of their 2-1 defeat at Leicester but did get a good result against Liverpool the game before. They've been good one week and average the next which has been the story of their season and could be one reason why certain fans are not happy with the manager. Could a good Cup run be enough enough to convince the fans? We'll wait and see.
I think this one will be an Arsenal win because they're in good form and I can see them carry that form into this game. I can see Arteta give chances to other young players like NKetiah and Willock and I think they'll make a difference in this game.
PREDICTION: 3-0
MAN UNITED V WATFORD
Man United lost yet another semi final as they went out to Man City in the Carabao Cup in mid-week. They put in a decent display in the first half of that game but were outclassed in the second as City went on to win the tie and reach the final. Before the defeat in mid-week, United were in some good form in the league as they moved level on points with leaders Liverpool and played some good football. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will want his players to return to that in this one because he wants his side to do well in this competition in which they have a good record. They don't have any major injury concerns which is good news because Solskjaer will want his players available whether they start or not. He'll make some changes in this one because he'll want to give chances to players who haven't been playing in recent weeks which is what the big teams usually do in cup ties. He shouldn't make too many because it could come back to bite him if the result goes against United.
Watford recently sacked yet another manager as Vladimir Ilic was shown the door despite the club being 5th in the Championship. Xisco Munoz has taken over becoming the 13th manager Watford have had since the Pozzo family took over. The amount of managers they had since the Pozzo's arrived is unbelievable because no other club has that amount of managers in that space of time. Watford are a club who just sack managers for the sake of it and some fans are probably getting bored with it. The Hornets are currently 6th in the Championship and they've won one and lost one since their new manager has come in. They still have a number of players who were at the club in the Premier League last season like Troy Deeney and Ben Foster. They could be a match for United because of the experience some of the players have from their time in the Premier League against United.
I'm going for a United win in this one because they have other players who can come in and make an impact. I can see players like James and Van De Beek getting a chance and I think they'll take it because they want to show the manager that they deserve to play more.
PREDICTION: 3-1
SUNDAY:
CHELSEA V MORECAMBE
Chelsea are not in great form at the moment and a run in the cup is probably what they need to salvage their season. They have a good record in this competition and Frank Lampard will want to get his hands on the trophy again after winning it four times as a player plus Chelsea lost in the final last season which will add a hunger in the side to win it this time round. But first they need to get themselves right because of the form they're in and the confidence of some of the players notably Kai Havertz and Timo Werner. I think Frank Lampard will rest them in this one because that is probably what they need in order to get their confidence back and it usually works for players out of form. Chelsea will still field a strong side because they have a strong squad on paper and they'll want to win the cup this season as it is their best chance of winning a trophy this season.
Morecambe are having a good season in League 2 with the club 7th in the table which is a big improvement on last season when they finished 22nd. They're 3 points outside the automatic promotion places and also in good form after winning their last four games in the league. Manager Derek Adams has done a good job with the Shrimps since he's been at the club and he'll definitely be looking forward to this game with it being away to a top Premier League club despite there being no fans in the stadium. He would love to give Chelsea a good game because of the form his side are currently in and if he can get his tactics right, his side may cause an incredible upset which can happen in this competition. It could be the biggest cup upset ever if Morecambe were to win this one.
I think this one will be a Chelsea because they'll have too much for Morecambe. They have far superior players than the League 2 side and with that I expect them to win this game comfortably.
PREDICTION: 5-0
CRAWLEY V LEEDS
Crawley are unbeaten in their last 9 games which has put them in 6th place within the play off places. They've scored a lot of goals this season with 34 which is the second highest in League 2 behind Exeter who have 40. They've also conceded a lot of goals with 28 and they're up against a Leeds side who are very entertaining to watch which could make this game an exciting an entertaining one to watch. They'll probably play like they have done all season but they will need to be cautious as Leeds are dangerous when they go forward which we have seen a lot in the Premier League this season. Crawley will without a doubt be looking forward to this fixture as it's against Premier League opposition and they would love to cause an upset by wining it like most lower league clubs do.
Leeds have been knocked out in the 3rd Round of this competition in the last three seasons and Marcelo Bielsa will not want that to happen again. Leeds themselves would love to go on a cup run this season as they don't have anything to play for in the Premier League with the club pretty much safe from the threat of relegation and unlikely to qualify for Europe. The Whites last won this competition back in 1972 and haven't gone beyond Round 5 since 2003 when they reached the Quarter finals. With the club now back in the Premier League, they'll be looking to go further in the cup competitions like they did all those years ago when they were considered as one of the big clubs in the country. If they go far in this competition, it could turn out to be a good season for Leeds if they can stay mid-table in the Premier League.
I think this one will be a Leeds win because their style of play will be too much for Crawley. Crawley have scored a lot of goals in League 2 this season, but the intensity and pace that Leeds play at will be difficult for them to cope with.
PREDICTION: 0-3
MAN CITY V BIRMINGHAM
Man City booked their place in another Carabao Cup final by beating Man United 2-0 in their semi final in mid-week. They appear to have found a solid a centre back partnership that works in John Stones and Ruben Dias which has been key to their improvement in defence this season. Dias has settled in pretty well by putting in solid displays week in week out and Stones has really improved al lot since he's been in the side by also putting in solid displays. Things are looking up for City at the moment because they're playing like we expect them to and are level on points with 4th placed Spurs in the league with a game in hand. If they win their game in hand, they'll find themselves in the title race which is where they want to be. Their recent form has put them back in the reckoning and despite being outside of the top four, you should not write them off because of the team they are and the experience they have of winning titles and trophies.
Birmingham are winless in their last six games and they find themselves only five points above the drop zone in the Championship in 18th place. I thought they would better than that this season with the manager they have in Aitor Karanka who has good experience at Championship level. The 2011 League Cup winners aren't scoring a lot of goals and they aren't winning many games with only 5 wins all season and no win in their last six. Their form is not great at the minute and it needs to improve if they're to stay out of a relegation battle this season which I'm sure they will. But if they're to do that they need to start winning games immediately.
I'm going for a Man City win because they'll have too much for Birmingham. The quality they have in their squad is strong and with that I think they'll win this game comfortably.
PREDICTION: 4-0
MARINE V TOTTENHAM
What a day this will be for Eighth tier Marine as they'll be up against one of the biggest clubs in England at home despite there being no crowd to support them. The players and the manager will without a doubt enjoy the occasion because it will be a day that they will never forget and they may not get a day like this ever again so they might as well enjoy it whilst it's still there. The players will tell their grandchildren in forty or fifty years time that they once played against Harry Kane and Heung Min Son which they probably won't believe. Their manager will not forget facing a manager like Jose Mourinho because not many non league teams get the opportunity to face managers of that stature and the manager himself like the players will tell his family that he went face to face with Jose Mourinho. It will be a day they will remember for the rest of their lives.
Spurs booked their place in the Carabao Cup final in April with their 2-0 win over Brentford in mid-week after returning to winning ways in the Premier League with the win over Leeds last Saturday. Jose Mourinho may rest a few of his key players in this one so he can keep his squad fresh going into the next few games which are coming quick and fast for Spurs. He won't want to lose any of them to injury and for that to happen he may rest one of two of them in this game so they can be available for selection in the Premier League with a number of games coming up for them in the next few weeks. Mourinho will take this competition seriously because he's an expert in winning trophies but he'll still rest a few players so they can be available to him in the Premier League.
I think Spurs will win this one but not by a massive score line. The pitch surface will make it difficult for them like it sometimes does when Premier League clubs travel to lower league grounds and I think it have an affect on their performance.
PREDICTION: 0-4
NEWPORT V BRIGHTON
Newport are experts at knocking big sides out of the FA Cup. They knocked out Leeds and Leicester at this stage in 2018 and 2019 respectively plus they almost knocked out Spurs the round after they knocked out Leeds. They haven't been in the best form lately with no wins in their last four but they do remain 2nd in League 2 with the club just 1 point behind leaders Carlisle. Despite their recent run of form, they'll still fancy themselves to cause an upset because of the experience the players and manager have in doing that over the last few seasons. They didn't get to cause a big upset last season as they were knocked out in the 3rd Round Millwall. But because of the quality of teams they knocked out two or three seasons ago, they'll still fancy themselves to do it once again because of the belief the players and manager have in each other.
As Brighton are currently struggling in the Premier League at the moment, this could be a great opportunity for them to get some confidence on board so they can carry it into the Premier League in order to improve their results. They've not in 9 games and have only managed two wins all season with both them coming away from home. Their main problem this season has been goals because they haven't taken the majority of their chances in games despite playing some good stuff in the lead up to the chances they're creating. They've not been as solid defensively and you can see that in the amount of goals they've conceded from set pieces which has been very unlike Brighton since they've been in the Premier League. If they're to start winning games in the league, a win in this cup tie could set them off because wining a cup tie or going on a run in the cup can give a struggling side some confidence.
I think this one will be a Newport win because of their recent history of knocking out teams from the top tiers of English football. With Brighton struggling for goals at the moment, I can see Newprt cause yet another FA Cup upset by knocking out another Premier League side.
PREDICTION: 2-1
MONDAY:
STOCKPORT V WEST HAM
Another non-league v Premier League clash. Stockport will without a doubt be looking forward to this game as they'll be up against Premier League opposition. They'll just go out there and enjoy the occasion because they barely get the chance to face a Premier League side like West Ham and it will be a memory the players and manager will remember for the rest of their lives. They might even cause an upset because West Ham do have a history of losing to lower league opposition in cup oppositions such as Oxford in the League Cup last seasons and AFC Wimbledon in the FA Cup the season before. Stockport will just go out there and put in a performance because they'll want to show the Premier League side what they can do and how good they are as a team.
West Ham manager David Moyes would love it if his side went far in this competition because they don't have anything to play for as they're more than safe from the threat of relegation and unlikely to finish in the European places because of the teams that are in and around those positions. Moyes made an FA Cup final and semi final during his time at Everton which gives him experience of going far in this competition that he'll hopefully bring to his team so they can have a good shot at the competition itself. The Hammers will probably give some of the young players a chance in this game because it's a cup game and young players usually get opportunities in the cup games. Some of the more senior players will play, but I still think some of the youngsters will get a chance to show what they can do on the pitch.
I'm going for a West Ham win but not by an enormous score line. The pitch may have have an affect on their performance with it being at a non league ground but they should do have enough to win the tie comfortably and go through to the next round.
PREDICTION: 0-3
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