After the climax of the Carabao Cup final yesterday, the cup football continues with FA Cup action across the weekdays. The fact that the winter break has resigned the 5th round to a midweek is, to me, ridiculous. Anyhow, here's a prediction for the eight ties.
Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Arsenal suffered a disappointing exit in the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos on Thursday night. There will be bumps in the road along the Mikel Arteta journey and this seems like one of them. The improvements under Arteta can be seen already and with only Premier League games left, he should go all out to win this competition. Portsmouth have been on great form since the turn of the year, losing just twice in 17 matches. Their form has seen them rise to 3rd but I think the challenge of a motivated Arsenal will be too much.
Verdict - Arsenal
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea are quite a Jekyll-and-Hyde side at the moment. They may beat Tottenham one week and then fail to turn up against Bayern Munich and draw with Bournemouth. Losing to Bayern is not a surprise, but failing to beat Bournemouth is yet another worrying sign for Frank Lampard. Liverpool will not be invincible this season after their worst performance saw a 3-0 loss to Watford. They haven't been great since their winter break (perhaps it's not essential, Jurgen Klopp?) but after a awful display, they have to win their next game. The type of side Klopp puts out, though, remains to be seen.
Verdict - Liverpool
Reading vs Sheffield United
Reading are 16th in the Championship and not out of the relegation battle. They beat fellow strugglers Barnsley 2-0 to yesterday to move further away from the drop but up against Sheffield United, currently 8th in the Premier League and two points off the Champions League places, it is about as difficult as it comes. Sheffield United have had an incredible season and a deep cup run would make it even better.
Verdict - Sheffield United
West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United
West Brom look set to return to the Premier League, as champions is unknown, but they lost to Wigan Athletic 1-0, who climbed out of the relegation zone with that win, so are in a state of shock. Newcastle cannot score goals and are not certain of survival just yet. Newcastle have not won a major trophy since the 1950s and the same thing about mid table sides not taking cup competitions seriously is labelled at the Magpies every season. West Brom are the top scorers in the Championship and up against an extremely poor Newcastle side, they may cause an upset so Steve Bruce will not be winning silverware.
Verdict - West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City vs Birmingham City
Leicester's form has tailed off recently. To be 3rd is still a remarkable feet for the Foxes but their results should be of concern to Brendan Rodgers. They should still qualify for the Champions League but a trip to Wembley, almost accomplished by reaching the Carabao Cup semi finals, would make this season even more memorable. Birmingham are have drawn their last four matches and are not flying high in the Championship. They may be difficult to beat but Leicester will want to respond to losing to Norwich and will win.
Verdict - Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City
City have won the Carabao Cup and will be looking to defend another of their titles in the FA Cup. The league is gone and although the Champions League is now the priority, they have the personnel to challenge in those two competitions. Pep Guardiola rotated his side for the final and he may do so again against Wednesday but whatever side he selects, it is strong. Sheffield Wednesday have fallen away from the play offs with a poor run of form of late and that will continue against City.
Verdict - Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City
Tottenham are not good. Don't let the Mourinho table tell you otherwise. They were lucky to progress in the replay against Southampton and they lost to a superior side in Wolves. Their attack is bare so they are relying on teenager Troy Parrott, which is not ideal but has to be done. Norwich will take encouragement from beating Leicester but to Daniel Farke, survival is more important than a cup run. That is understandable so he may not select a full strength side as he looks to prioritise the league. Mourinho was brought in to elevate Tottenham into a side that wins trophies so he will take the FA Cup seriously.
Verdict - Tottenham Hotspur
Derby County vs Manchester United
Did you know Wayne Rooney plays for Derby? Everything to do with Derby cannot be said without mentioning Rooney. He will now play against the side he became a legend at in a tie dubbed the 'Rooney Reunion', despite the fact Rooney has already played against Manchester United since leaving for Everton a couple of seasons ago. County are in a good place to avoid relegation but will not be getting to the play offs unlike with Lampard last season. A potential 11 point deduction for breaching FFP regulations hangs over Derby's head so they may be brought back into the relegation dogfight so, like most sides, a cup run is not a priority so United should take advantage of this as they look to win a first trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Verdict - Manchester United
I haven't predicted many upsets in this round unfortunately but maybe this is because I love the FA Cup. If I was in charge, I'd take this great competition seriously but my affinity with the competition is not the same as other people, such as managers. Hopefully Portsmouth and the Championship clubs (bar West Brom) can prove me wrong.
Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Arsenal suffered a disappointing exit in the Europa League at the hands of Olympiacos on Thursday night. There will be bumps in the road along the Mikel Arteta journey and this seems like one of them. The improvements under Arteta can be seen already and with only Premier League games left, he should go all out to win this competition. Portsmouth have been on great form since the turn of the year, losing just twice in 17 matches. Their form has seen them rise to 3rd but I think the challenge of a motivated Arsenal will be too much.
Verdict - Arsenal
Chelsea vs Liverpool
Chelsea are quite a Jekyll-and-Hyde side at the moment. They may beat Tottenham one week and then fail to turn up against Bayern Munich and draw with Bournemouth. Losing to Bayern is not a surprise, but failing to beat Bournemouth is yet another worrying sign for Frank Lampard. Liverpool will not be invincible this season after their worst performance saw a 3-0 loss to Watford. They haven't been great since their winter break (perhaps it's not essential, Jurgen Klopp?) but after a awful display, they have to win their next game. The type of side Klopp puts out, though, remains to be seen.
Verdict - Liverpool
Reading vs Sheffield United
Reading are 16th in the Championship and not out of the relegation battle. They beat fellow strugglers Barnsley 2-0 to yesterday to move further away from the drop but up against Sheffield United, currently 8th in the Premier League and two points off the Champions League places, it is about as difficult as it comes. Sheffield United have had an incredible season and a deep cup run would make it even better.
Verdict - Sheffield United
West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle United
West Brom look set to return to the Premier League, as champions is unknown, but they lost to Wigan Athletic 1-0, who climbed out of the relegation zone with that win, so are in a state of shock. Newcastle cannot score goals and are not certain of survival just yet. Newcastle have not won a major trophy since the 1950s and the same thing about mid table sides not taking cup competitions seriously is labelled at the Magpies every season. West Brom are the top scorers in the Championship and up against an extremely poor Newcastle side, they may cause an upset so Steve Bruce will not be winning silverware.
Verdict - West Bromwich Albion
Leicester City vs Birmingham City
Leicester's form has tailed off recently. To be 3rd is still a remarkable feet for the Foxes but their results should be of concern to Brendan Rodgers. They should still qualify for the Champions League but a trip to Wembley, almost accomplished by reaching the Carabao Cup semi finals, would make this season even more memorable. Birmingham are have drawn their last four matches and are not flying high in the Championship. They may be difficult to beat but Leicester will want to respond to losing to Norwich and will win.
Verdict - Leicester City
Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City
City have won the Carabao Cup and will be looking to defend another of their titles in the FA Cup. The league is gone and although the Champions League is now the priority, they have the personnel to challenge in those two competitions. Pep Guardiola rotated his side for the final and he may do so again against Wednesday but whatever side he selects, it is strong. Sheffield Wednesday have fallen away from the play offs with a poor run of form of late and that will continue against City.
Verdict - Manchester City
Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City
Tottenham are not good. Don't let the Mourinho table tell you otherwise. They were lucky to progress in the replay against Southampton and they lost to a superior side in Wolves. Their attack is bare so they are relying on teenager Troy Parrott, which is not ideal but has to be done. Norwich will take encouragement from beating Leicester but to Daniel Farke, survival is more important than a cup run. That is understandable so he may not select a full strength side as he looks to prioritise the league. Mourinho was brought in to elevate Tottenham into a side that wins trophies so he will take the FA Cup seriously.
Verdict - Tottenham Hotspur
Derby County vs Manchester United
Did you know Wayne Rooney plays for Derby? Everything to do with Derby cannot be said without mentioning Rooney. He will now play against the side he became a legend at in a tie dubbed the 'Rooney Reunion', despite the fact Rooney has already played against Manchester United since leaving for Everton a couple of seasons ago. County are in a good place to avoid relegation but will not be getting to the play offs unlike with Lampard last season. A potential 11 point deduction for breaching FFP regulations hangs over Derby's head so they may be brought back into the relegation dogfight so, like most sides, a cup run is not a priority so United should take advantage of this as they look to win a first trophy under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Verdict - Manchester United
I haven't predicted many upsets in this round unfortunately but maybe this is because I love the FA Cup. If I was in charge, I'd take this great competition seriously but my affinity with the competition is not the same as other people, such as managers. Hopefully Portsmouth and the Championship clubs (bar West Brom) can prove me wrong.
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