TUESDAY:
WOLVES V BRENTFORD
Wolves spent most of the reverse fixture with 10 men after losing Joao Gomes early on and they competed well, despite having a man fewer.
Gary O'Neil's side will be without Hwang Hee Chan for the rest of the month due to his involvement with South Korea at the Asian Cup and his absence will no doubt be a massive blow for Wolves. His goals have been key for Wolves this season and someone will need to step up on that front during his absence.
Brentford were much better in the reverse fixture than they were in the Premier League meeting between the two sides post Christmas. But they did have one or two moments where they looked sloppy at the back and were fortunate that none of them lead to goals.
I expect Thomas Frank will field a strong team here as his side need to inject some life into their season. A win in this cup tie could give them the momentum to kickstart their season in the Premier League.
But I don't see that happening here as I think Wolves will just edge this one. Especially as they're at home where they do look strong.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BOLTON V LUTON
Bolton have been decent at home in League One this season losing just 3 times at home all season. With the home crowd on their side here, they'll be looking to use the atmosphere to their advantage in an attempt to intimidate Luton.
Luton had the majority of the chances in the reverse fixture, but they weren't able to take them. Being clinical has been an issue for them this season and it could be what costs them at the end of the season.
Rob Edwards played a strong team in the reverse fixture and I think he'll do the same even though he will have one eye on Premier League survival.
With Bolton being at home and having a decent record at home this season, I fancy them to cause an upset here. They'll have the home crowd on their side and with the decent record they have at home, I can see them cause the first Premier League upset.
PREDICTION: 1-0
BRISTOL CITY V WEST HAM
Bristol City had a good go in the reverse fixture and they'll be looking to do the same here. Especially as they're at home where they'll have home crowd on their side and cheering them on.
West Ham were wasteful in the reverse fixture with the amount of chances they had and it ended up costing them.
David Moyes' side are missing some key players for this one due to injury with the main ones being in attack. Bowen, Paqueta, Kudus and Antonio are all out injured and it's left them short on options in their attack.
Because of this of this I fancy Bristol City to cause an upset here as I can see them have another go at the Hammers like they did in the reverse fixture.
PREDICTION: 2-0
WEDNESDAY:
BLACKPOOL V NOTTINGHAM FOREST
Blackpool gave Forest an early scare in the reverse fixture and Neil Critchley will want his side to make the same sort of start here.
The Tangerines won this fixture 4-1 at this stage last season and after making a fast start in the game at the City Ground, they'll definitely fancy themselves to cause another cup upset here.
Nottingham Forest woke up after Blackpool scored their second goal in the game at the City Ground and they responded well after that as they upped the tempo of their play.
Nuno Espirito Santo took Wolves to the semi finals in 2019 and will want to take Forest on a similar sort of run this season.
Their record away from home might be poor, but I think Nuno's team will show up and get the win here.
PREDICTION: 0-2
EVERTON V CRYSTAL PALACE
Both teams had chances in the reverse fixture but neither side were able to find the net due to both of them being well organised defensively.
I can see Everton give Beto the nod up front as Dominic Calvert-Lewin is out of form having not scored for nearly three months.
Sean Dyche will of course make other changes to his team for this one and I think the change of striker could be one of them.
Crystal Palace are again without Michael Olise due to injury but they will have Eberechi Eze available which gives them a chance.
The Eagles will arguably be the fresher team coming into this one as they didn't play at the weekend. unlike Everton. This could give them a slight advantage as they've had more time to prepare for this game.
But with Goodison Park being a tough place to go to, I think Everton might just nick this one as the home crowd is usually behind them whenever they play at home.
PREDICTION: 1-0
Comments