FRIDAY:
SWINDON V MAN CITY
Swindon are having a decent season in League 2 with the club in 5th and two points outside the automatic promotion places. They've been hovering between the bottom two league in recent years and boss Ben Garner will want some stability at the club if his side do get promoted this season.
They haven't had an opportunity like this for a long time and the players will just go out and enjoy themselves because of that. They'll probably get beat by a heavy score line but the players should still enjoy as they'll be up against some of the best players in the world.
Man City will definitely be one of the favourites for the competition this season and they'll be going into it like one of the favourites. They have a squad filled with talent and have a manager who knows how to win trophies. With the Premier League pretty much wrapped up, they would love to win the FA Cup alongside it as well as of course the Champions League.
They'll be heading in to this one in flying form after winning their last six games in all competitions and pretty much everyone will be expecting them to win this one rather comfortably. They will make changes as most Premier League clubs do in the cup competitions but City should still win this one by a canter because of the squad they have.
PREDICTION: 0-5
I'm going for a comfortable City win here because I think they'll be too strong for Swindon. They will make a lot of changes but as their squad is so strong, they'll still win this one by a long shot.
SATURDAY:
BURNLEY V HUDDERSFIELD
A good run in the cup could help Burnley kick start their season as it has done that to struggling teams in the past. They probably don't need a cup run as they want to put their sole focus on staying in the Premier League but a good run in the cup could still help them improve their league form.
Sean Dyche will make some changes for this game but I don't think he'll make too many as won't want his side to bow out of the cup to a team in a lower division. He'll definitely play some of his big hitters and I can see them be the difference in this one.
Huddersfield have been one of the surprise packages in the Championship this season as they're currently within the play off spots in 6th. A lot of people would've had them down as relegation favourites at the start of the season having finished in and around the lower half of the table for the last two seasons since their relegation from the Premier League in 2019.
PREDICTION: 2-1
I'm backing Burnley to win here because I can see their Premier League quality shine through. Huddersfield may be in better form but I think the Clarets will have enough to win this one.
MILLWALL V CRYSTAL PALACE
Millwall are having an ok season in the Championship this season which is always the case for them pretty much every year. They're more than good enough to finish in and around mid-table but they don't have quite enough to push for the play offs.
The Lions have done well in this competition over the years with two appearances in the Quarter finals in the last five seasons. They may have a different manager in charge this time round but they'll still believe that they can cause an upset here.
Crystal Palace could go on a cup run this season as they're looking more than safe in the Premier League. They've got the potential to as they have a good squad and play some good football like they have done all season. With a manager in Vieira who won the cup as a player, they might fancy themselves to go far in this competition.
PREDICTION: 1-0
I'm backing Millwall to cause an upset here as I can see Palace make one too many changes. They've caused cup upsets in the past and I can see them do it again.
LEICESTER V WATFORD
This will be Leicester's first game of 2022 after their weekend game against Norwich was postponed because of COVID. Their last game was a disciplined and well organised win over Liverpool which should give them plenty of confidence going into this game because of the manner of their performance on the day. But that always hasn't been the case with for them this season because of how inconsistent they've been.
The Foxes are the holders of this competition and another good cup run could be what they need to rescue their season. It's been a stuttering season for Brendan Rodgers' side and they'll see this an as opportunity to kick start their season and build some consistency.
Watford will also see this competition as an opportunity to kick start their season as they desperately need results to push themselves away from the relegation zone in the Premier League. They've lost their last six games in the league and haven't kept a clean sheet all season so a win in this cup tie should give them the confidence they need to get their season up and running.
The Hornets have done well in the FA Cup in recent seasons having reached the final in 2019 and the semis in 2016. They'll want to achieve a similar feat this year so they can kick start their season. But it could have a downwards effect on their seasons like it did on both occasions.
PREDICTION: 3-1
I'm backing Leicester to win this cup tie because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. They may be missing a few key players through injury, but they still have players who can come in and do a job for the team like Kelechi Iheanacho who has a good record in this competition.
NEWCASTLE V CAMBRIDGE
Newcastle are another club who will be seeing this competition as an opportunity to get their season up and running as they're struggling at the wrong end of the table. They haven't really taken the FA Cup seriously enough over the years and they have a great opportunity here to give it a real go.
This will be their first game of 2022 after their game against Southampton last weekend was postponed and they'll be kicking off the new year without their two best players. They may have been rested for this one anyway with it being a cup game but without Callum Wilson and Allan Saint Maximin, the Magpies look limp in attack.
Cambridge are having a decent first season in League 1 following their promotion last season with the club in 16th which represents a good first season. They would've taken survival at the start of the season as they're a newly promoted team and for them to be in mid-table at the half way stage shows a good season for them.
Cambridge haven't played against many Premier League sides since they've been in the Football League but the fans will remember taking Man United to a replay at Old Trafford back in 2015. They'll be looking forward to the game and so will the players who will be looking to cause an upset.
PREDICTION: 0-1
With Newcastle likely to make changes and without their two best players, I can see Cambridge cause an upset here. The Magpies don't have the strongest squad when it comes to strength in depth and I can see Cambridge take advantage of that and cause a shock.
PORT VALE V BRENTFORD
Port Vale are having a good season in League 2 this year as they're in the play off places which is a massive improvement on last season where they finished 13th. Darrell Clarke has done a good job in getting them into the play offs and they'll hopefully stay there so they can have a shot at promotion.
Brentford have enjoyed a solid debut season in the Premier League this year and a good run in the cup would make their season even better. They will of course focus on securing their Premier League status for next season as the second half of the season will get tougher for them but they would still love to give the FA Cup a good shot with the season they're currently having.
Thomas Frank will make some changes for this one with it being a cup game and he'll trust whoever he brings in. He rested most of his key men in their League Cup game against Oldham earlier in the season where they won 7-0 and I expect he'll do the same here and put the same trust into the players he'll be bringing in for this game.
PREDICTION: 0-3
I'm backing Brentford to win this one because I think they'll have enough quality to send them through to the next round. They will make changes but I think the players coming in will do a job for the team because of the faith the manager has in them.
WEST BROM V BRIGHTON
This fixture in the Premier League last season saw a very strange decision take place as Brighton's goal was disallowed before it was given shortly before being disallowed again. With no VAR being in use at this game, we hopefully won't have another confusing decision made by the referee.
West Brom have played some good football under Valerian Ismael this season as they're still in with a shout of promotion back to the Premier League. But their form has dried up a bit in recent weeks with two draws and a defeat from their last three games. They were the more likely team to put pressure on Bournemouth and Fulham in the automatic places but their recent form has prevented them from doing that.
Brighton have hit some form recently with two wins from their last three games which has seen them climb up to 8th. They were very impressive in their win at Everton last weekend and they'll be looking to carry their league form into the cup where they'll be looking to give it a good shot.
They're having a good season in the Premier League and with the ambitions they have they'll definitely be looking to go on a cup run. It might distract their league form but a good cup run could be massive in their development as a football club.
PREDICTION: 1-2
This one should be a close game as both sides play some good football and I'm going for Brighton to take the win here. They will make a few changes but I think their Premier League quality will shine through here.
CHELSEA V CHESTERFIELD
Chelsea were more like themselves against Spurs in midweek where they surprised me with their change in formation. They played with a back four instead of their usual back three and it paid off as they won and kept a clean sheet. It will be interesting to see whether they stick with the four or go back to the three.
The blues have lost in the final of this competition for the last two seasons which should give them the motivation to go one better this season. They'll definitely be one of the favourites like they are pretty much every year and with the squad they have, they should reach at least the semi finals.
Chesterfield haven't had an opportunity like this for a number of years and it will without a doubt be a game that the fans will be looking forward. It's been a difficult time for the club over the last few seasons and this game will give them something to enjoy which they haven't had for a number of years.
The players themselves will just go out there and enjoy the occasion as they'll be taking on some of the best players in the world at a famous old ground in Stamford Bridge. It will be an occasion they'll never forget and a moment they will look back on by the time they finish their playing careers.
PREDICTION: 5-0
This one has to be a Chelsea win because of the gulf in class between the two sides. The Blues will make a lot of changes for this game, but they'll still have too much for the National League leaders.
HULL V EVERTON
Hull are having decent first season back in the Championship this year with the club in 19th and five points above the relegation zone. They did have a tough start but since that tough start they've picked up some good results which helped them out of the relegation zone and up the table.
The Tigers haven't caused any cup upsets over the years but they did reach the final in 2014 where they were beaten by eventual winners Arsenal. With Everton not having the best of seasons, Grant McCann's team may fancy themselves to cause an upset here.
The FA Cup is Everton's last hope of salvaging their season with their hopes of reaching Europe looking pretty much over. They'll definitely use it as an opportunity to kick start their season as they can carry their cup form in to the league but they'll also see it as an opportunity to win a trophy which hasn't happened since 1995.
They'll need to put in a better performance than the one they put in against Brighton because that game was one of the worst they've put in all season. They looked disjointed all over the pitch and did not look comfortable in the system they were playing.
PREDICTION: 0-2
Everton may be struggling in the league, but I can see them put those struggles behind them by winning this game. They will make changes with it being a cup tie but I do think the players coming in will step up as they have a good squad on paper.
SWANSEA V SOUTHAMPTON
Swansea have struggled a bit this season under Russell Martin with the club 17th in the Championship and a long way off the play offs. It was always going to be a struggle for them after Steve Cooper leaving and of course losing in the play off final last season which would've hurt the players massively as it does for most clubs.
The Swans will see this as an opportunity to kick start their as well as to cause an upset because their season really could do with one because of how its gone. With Southampton themselves having a stuttering campaign, Swansea might believe in themselves to get a result here.
This will be Southampton's first game of 2022 after their weekend game against Newcastle was postponed because of COVID. They would've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of that which could give them the advantage in this cup tie.
The Saints reached the semi finals of this competition last season and will want to achieve a similar feat this season. With their Premier League season going nowhere, another good run in the cup could give their season something to smile about along with a kick start.
PREDICTION: 0-2
Both sides should be well prepared for this one as they've had plenty of time to prepare for this game as a result of their last games being postponed. But I'm going to go for a Southampton win as I think they'll play a strong team with enough quality to win the game.
SUNDAY:
CHARLTON V NORWICH
Charlton are having a mixed season in League 1 this year but they did improve after a difficult start which saw Nigel Adkins relieved of his duties. Johnnie Jackson did get them back on track during his spell as caretaker which gave him the job full time. But since he got the job results the results haven't been as good as they were before.
A win for them in this cup tie could give them the confidence to get results as a win against a Premier League side can do that.
This will be Norwich's first game of 2022 after their game with Leicester at the weekend was postponed because of COVID. They'll be going into this game in rotten form having lost their last six league games leaving them rock bottom with very little hope of staying up.
They'll need to use this competition as an opportunity to improve their league form because they need results domestically to get them out of trouble and the cup competitions can help them do that. Dean Smith will know that and I hope his side will use it because of where they are in the league.
PREDICTION: 0-2
I'm going for Norwich to win here as I think they'll have enough to win this game. They be low on confidence as a result of their recent league form but I still think they'll have enough in them to beat a side a couple of leagues lower than them.
LIVERPOOL V SHREWSBURY
It will be interesting to see what kind of team Liverpool will field for this one as they have fielded weakened team in this competition ever since Jurgen Klopp has been their manager. They played the youngsters when they last met Shrewsbury in this competition a couple of seasons ago and they'll probably do the same again with a number of first team players unavailable.
Shrewsbury will have great memories from their last meeting with Liverpool in the FA Cup as they took them to a replay at Anfield back in 2020. They'll definitely be looking to repeat something similar this time round as Liverpool are likely to field a weakened team which will give the Shrews some confidence going into the game itself.
PREDICTION: 2-0
Liverpool will field a weakened team for this one, but I still think they'll have enough to make it through to the next round. Their youngsters have impressed when give opportunities this season and I can see them impress again in this one.
TOTTENHAM V MORECAMBE
This competition is Spurs' last chance of winning some silverware this season as they're no longer in Europe and facing an upset from the Carabao Cup. They do have a second leg to turn their semi final against Chelsea around but it won't be easy as they found out in midweek.
They will make change for this one but I still think they'll field a strong enough team. Conte will definitely take this competition with it being Spurs' last chance of ending the season with a trophy and because of that I can see him field a strong team here.
Morecambe are having the kind of season they probably expected following their promotion from League 2 last season as they're near the bottom in 19th and a point above the relegation zone. Survival is always the objective for a newly promoted team and it will be a successful season for them if they achieve it.
PREDICTION: 5-0
I'm going for a comfortable Spurs win here because I think they'll have too much for Morecambe. They will make some changes but as I think they'll field a strong team, they should win this one handsomely.
WEST HAM V LEEDS
West Ham will be looking to far in this competition because of the season they're having and the standards they've set themselves over the last 18 months. They're having a brilliant season in the Premier League with the club pushing for a top four finish and they'll surely want a good cup run to go with it.
The Hammers have looked more like themselves in recent weeks following back to back wins over Watford and Crystal Palace which have put their season back on track. The appeared to lose their way a bit prior to those results and they'll now be looking to carry those results into this cup tie to give themselves the best possible chance of progressing.
Leeds haven't had a great record in the FA Cup in recent years as they've gone out at the 3rd Round for the last four seasons. They were knocked out by Crawley last season where they didn't turn up and will want to fair a bit better this time round. Especially with their league campaign not going as smoothly as they hoped.
They picked up a massive result last weekend in their win over Burnley which gave them plenty of breathing space between themselves and the bottom three. They are still without some key players through injury but the win over Burnley will give them some much needed confidence going into this cup tie.
PREDICTION: 3-0
I'm going for a West Ham win here because I think they'll have enough quality to win the game. I can see them play a strong team and as Leeds are without a few key players, I can see the Hammers win this one comfortably.
WOLVES V SHEFFIELD UNITED
Wolves looked impressive in their win over Man United on Monday night as they put in an all round good performance. They were the better side on the night and they got the result their performance deserved which will give them plenty of confidence going into this game.
They've had a good but frustrating at times season under Bruno Lage this year as they're in a good league position but have at times lacked the cutting edge in front of goal. It hopefully won't be a problem for them in this game as they should have enough to win here but they should still work on their finishing if they're to get better as the season progresses.
This was the fixture that sealed Sheffield United's fate as a Premier League club last season with Wolves winning the match 2-0 and sending the Blades down to the Championship.
It's been a tough first season back in the Championship for Sheffield United with the club in 13th and unlikely to push for the play offs. They had a poor start to the season which saw Slavisa Jokanovic sacked and that poor start has pretty much cost them. Their results have improved since Paul Heckingbottom has taken over but I still can't see them mount a challenge for the play offs.
PREDICTION: 1-0
Wolves will probably make some changes with it being a cup tie. But I still think they'll have enough to win the game. Sheffield United will give it a go but I think Wolves will just edge it.
NOTTINGHAM FOREST V ARSENAL
Nottingham Forest have been a completely rejuvenated team since Steve Cooper has been in charge with the club in the top half of the table and six points outside the play offs. I honestly thought they would go down following their poor start to the season but Cooper has turned their season around and got them in the mix for the play offs.
Forest will have great memories from their last FA Cup meeting with Arsenal back in 2018 where they won 4-2 at this very stage of the competition. They'll definitely fancy themselves again because of the form they've been in under Steve Cooper and the way they've played since he's been in charge.
Arsenal are the record winners of the FA Cup having won it 14 times and will be looking to win it once again this season. They may not be one of the favourites like Man City and Chelsea are but they'll still fancy themselves to win it because of the recent success they've had in the competition itself.
The Gunners played well in their defeat to Man City last weekend and were unlucky to lose the game. They'll of course be disappointed with the result but they'll still take a lot of positives from the game which they'll take into this one and the other big games they have coming up later in the season.
PREDICTION: 0-3
Forest will of course want a repeat of their victory from a few seasons, but I think Arsenal will be too strong for them this time round. They'll hopefully play a strong team and with that I think they'll win this game without too many problems.
MONDAY:
MAN UNITED V ASTON VILLA
Man United were poor both in and out of possession against Wolves on Monday night and will need to play better in this one if they're to reach the next round. They don't suit Rangnick's 4-2-2-2 formation and I'm not sure they ever will because they don't have the players to fit the system.
The FA Cup is United's last chance of winning silverware this season as they're out of the League Cup and unlikely to win the Champions League. Rangnick has to play a strong team in this one otherwise he'll be under much more scrutiny.
Aston Villa were not at their best against Brentford last weekend with Steven Gerrard not happy with the way they conceded the goals. He'll be hoping that his side defend much better in this one because his side will be punished if they don't as they'll be up against players of a higher calibre.
PREDICTION: 2-1
United will need to show a reaction in this one and I think they will. Villa will give them a good game, but I think United will just edge it with Ronaldo saving them once again.
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