SATURDAY:
MIDDLESBROUGH V CHELSEA
Middlesbrough will fancy themselves to cause another upset here after knocking out two Premier League sides in Man United and Spurs. This will give them confidence going into this game as they'll believe that they can cause another FA Cup upset after knocking out two top Premier League sides already.
They'll be expecting a tougher game here compared to the last two as Chelsea are a much stronger side than both Spurs and Man United. The blues rarely put in abject performances and because of this Boro will be expecting a tougher game here.
Chelsea were given a good game by Lille in midweek as the French side did not make it comfortable evening for them. The blues were on their toes right from the start as they went behind and were caused a few problems but they still had enough in them to see the game through.
The blues have not let their performances be affected by what's happening off the pitch for which the manager deserves a lot of credit for. Tuchel has kept his side on task ever since their off field troubles started and the players have responded in the best possible way.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm going for a Chelsea win in this cup tie because I think they'll put in a good performance to win the game. Middlesbrough will give it a good go like they did against United and Spurs but I think Chelsea will turn up and put in a strong performance.
SUNDAY:
CRYSTAL PALACE V EVERTON
Crystal Palace had to weather a storm against Man City on Monday night and they did it well as they stayed strong defensively and limited City to very few shots on target. It was a good all round performance from them even though it wasn't pretty and the result will give them confidence.
They have a great opportunity to go far in this cup with this game with a win here taking them through to the semi finals. They haven't reached that stage since they made the final in 2016 under Alan Pardew and they'll be going into this game as favourites.
Everton picked up a much needed win against Newcastle on Thursday which was arguably their most important win of the season. They showed a bit more fight in that game and Frank Lampard will want his side to show the same in this cup tie.
The FA Cup hasn't been the right distraction for Everton this season as their league form hasn't really improved since they entered the competition. They've struggled away from home since Frank Lampard arrived and a win for them in this cup tie could give them the confidence to get better results on the road.
PREDICTION: 2-0
With Everton being hopeless on the road I've got to give Palace the win here. They've been reasonably strong at home and have some great attacking options who can really hurt the Everton defence.
SOUTHAMPTON V MAN CITY
Southampton are one of two teams to take points off City both home and away in the league this season with both of those games ending in draws. They played well in both of those games and will be feeling confident that they can get something from this cup tie.
Their league form has stuttered in recent weeks following three straight defeats to Villa, Newcastle and Watford. They might not be feeling as confident going into this game as they were when the draw came out because of these recent results.
Man City missed a lot of chances in their draw with Crystal Palace on Monday night for which they'll be kicking themselves for. They are still top of the Premier League but Liverpool's win over Arsenal on Wednesday has got them looking over their shoulder for possibly the first time this season.
City are arguably the favourites to win the FA Cup this season because of the squad they have and the team they are. They'll play a strong team in this one with it being against Premier League opposition and the competition itself being one they'll take seriously.
PREDICTION: 0-2
Southampton may have taken points off City both home and away in the Premier League, but I think City will still win this one. The Saints will give it a go but I think City will have learnt a lot from their meetings with them in the Premier League.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V LIVERPOOL
Nottingham Forest have already knocked out Premier League opposition in this competition in Arsenal and Leicester which will give them confidence going into this game. They'll be expecting a different kind here as Liverpool are likely to play a strong team but Forest will still fancy themselves to cause another upset.
Liverpool could potentially win the quadruple this season which would of course be a magnificent achievement for them. It probably won't happen as no side in English football as ever done it but as they do have chance to complete it as they're competing with City for the Premier League title and still in the other competitions available to them.
The reds are set to be without Trent Alexander Arnold for a number of weeks which will be massive blow for them moving forward. The reds should be ok without him for this game as they were probably going to rest him if he wasn't injured but he'll still be a big miss for them moving forward.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm going for a Liverpool win here because I think they'll have enough to win this game. Forest will fancy themselves to cause another upset but I think the reds will field a strong enough team to see them through to the next round.
Comments