THE FA CUP IS BACK! After a four month absence, the oldest competition returns at the quarter-final stage. Luckily, all of these eight remaining teams are from the Premier League so it has been easier to schedule. Below are predictions of who I think will progress to the last four.
Norwich City vs Manchester United
Norwich have been labelled by pundits as 'the best-worst Premier League team ever' but I disagree. Playing a progressive style of football doesn't make them than they are. They ship too many goals due to an average defence that is easily exploited and they rely too heavily on goals from Teemu Pukki. With the return of Paul Pogba and arrival of Bruno Fernandes, Manchester United look like a solid side now and will easily dispose of Norwich, even if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer does plan on making several changes.
Prediction - Manchester United
Sheffield United vs Arsenal
The Sheffield United post-restart is not the same side pre-coronavirus. The injury to Jack O'Connell has hurt them badly and Jack Robinson has not provided the same threat he does as the overlapping central defender. Chris Wilder's side do play a high tempo game and perhaps they are not quite at the same levels yet, but no wins from three is a worrying statistic. Arsenal are very funny and a 'Jekyll and Hyde' side. They played well against Southampton but then they might not turn up e.g. Brighton. This may go to penalties.
Prediction - Arsenal
Leicester City vs Chelsea
The best tie of the round. Leicester have not hit the ground running but Chelsea, as has been lost in the moment with Liverpool winning the league, beat Manchester City and deservedly so. Every neutral wants to see Leicester do well and win another trophy but they need the likes of James Maddison and Jamie Vardy to turn up to beat Chelsea. I can't see that happening, though.
Prediction - Chelsea
Newcastle United vs Manchester City
It would be amazing of the vilified Steve Bruce was the man to lead Newcastle to their first trophy since the 1950s. He won't be, sadly. Manchester City will be hurting having lost the Premier League title and will try to win the FA Cup and Champions League to make up for that. They won't fall out of the Champions League places - might get banned, on the other hand - so I can see Pep Guardiola fielding a full-strength side.
Prediction - Manchester City
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