FA Cup fourth round preview
The FA Cup moves into the fourth round this weekend with many big names and some minnows still in the competition. There were a few upsets in round three with non-league Borehamwood knocking out League One AFC Wimbledon. Huddersfield and Nottingham Forest also sent out two Premier League clubs in Arsenal and Burnley. A few lower league teams are still in with a chance as Kidderminster hope to upset West Ham. Plymouth head to the 2021 FA Cup finalists Chelsea in the hope of a big result.
Middlesbrough and Fulham have also earned trips to Man United and Man City respectively. There is also a Midlands derby as FA Cup champions Leicester travel to neighbours Nottingham Forest in a tense rivalry match.
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Man United vs Middlesbrough
Man United were in strong form before the winter break. The Red Devils put together a four-match unbeaten run in all competitions and recorded three wins from four. Ralf Rangnick’s side also recorded consecutive 1-0 wins at Old Trafford in their previous two home matches. United beat West Ham in the league, which followed on from their FA Cup third-round win over Aston Villa. The Manchester club has lost just once in their last seven at home and won five of these fixtures.
Middlesbrough has turned their Championship campaign around since Chris Wilder’s appointment in November. Boro has won eight of their last ten in all competitions. Their only loss during this run was a 1-0 defeat at Blackburn before they bounced back with a 1-0 victory over Coventry last time out. Despite the decent form, Boro struggled away in the third round at League Two Mansfield. Wilder’s side were heading for a 2-2 draw before a Mansfield own goal saved their blushes.
Man United defenders Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Eric Bailly, and Luke Shaw are doubtful with knocks. Fred and Alex Telles are also unavailable due to international duty. Boro’s Marcus Browne and Marc Bola are out with injuries. James Léa Siliki is also away on international duty and unavailable.
Man United are in good form and they should edge past a hard-to-beat Middlesbrough side.
Man City vs Fulham
Man City’s 12-match winning streak in the Premier League came to an end before the winter break. They were held to a 1-1 draw away at Southampton, coming back from a goal down to snatch a draw. Despite the result, City has a comfortable lead at the top of the Premier League. The Citizens have a nine-point lead over second-place Liverpool after losing just two league games all season. In the FA Cup, City had few problems when they beat Swindon 4-1 away.
Fulham has raced to the top of the Championship in recent weeks after some emphatic results. The Cottagers have won four of their last five in the league and scored 23 goals in this mini-run. Recent results include a 7-0 away win at Blackburn and consecutive 6-2 results at home against Bristol City and Birmingham. The West Londoners were forced to extra time in their third-round tie at Bristol City before progressing thanks to an extra-time goal.
Oleksandr Zinchenko is City’s only injury concern as the defender has a knock. Cole Palmer, Gabriel Jesus and Ederson are lacking match fitness and are unlikely to feature. For Fulham, Ivan Cavaleiro (groin) and Terence Kongolo (knee) are absent.
As the top of the Premier League and top of the Championship meet, there could entertainment and goals at the Etihad. City are just too strong on current form and they should ease past the Cottagers.
Tottenham vs Brighton
Tottenham’s revival under Antiono Conte suffered a small wobble before the winter break. Spurs suffered three losses in their previous five, all to Chelsea, after the sides met in the EFL Cup, then in the Premier League. Tottenham offered little in their 2-0 defeat against Chelsea last time out, which handed Conte his first Premier League defeat in nine. Home form has been a strength for Spurs recently. They have won seven of their last ten at home and lost just twice.
Brighton has become English football’s draw specialists in recent months. The south coast side has drawn five of their last six matches within 90-minutes, all of which finished with 1-1 scorelines. The run of draws, along with two wins in this run against Everton (3-2) and Brentford (2-0) means the Seagulls are unbeaten in their last seven in all competitions. Graham Potter’s side hasn’t fared much better away, drawing five of their last six away.
Spurs’ new signings Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur are ineligible so they will not feature. For Brighton, Yves Bissouma is back and available after his AFCON spell but Alexis Mac Allister and Shane Duffy are doubtful. Enock Mwepu (thigh), Jason Steele (back) and Jeremy Sarmiento (thigh) are ruled out.
This is one of just three all Premier League matches and given Tottenham’s inconstancy and Brighton’s knack for draws, extra time could be forced in North London.
Nottingham Forest vs Leicester
Nottingham Forest’s four-match winning streak in all competitions came to a disappointing end as they lost 2-1 at Cardiff on Sunday. The Reds had previously beaten Barnsley (3-0) and Derby (2-1) at home and Millwall away (1-0). But Forest’s biggest result during this streak came in the previous round of the FA Cup. Steve Cooper’s side knocked out Premier League side Arsenal with an impressive performance at the City Ground. Home form has been a real positive for Forest, who have won five of their last six in all competitions.
Leicester have struggled to put together a series of wins this season. The Foxes drew 1-1 against Brighton, lost 3-2 at home to Tottenham and beat Watford 4-1 before the winter break. Brendan Rodgers’ side has won just three matches in their last ten in all competitions, which have all come at home. Leicester’s away form is a cause for concern as they have failed to win in their last six and lost three of their last four on the road.
Forest trio Alex Mighten (knee), Joe Worrall (broken rib) and Joe Lolley (knee) are out. Loïc Mbe Soh may be in contention. Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi are back in contention for Leicester after their AFCON stint. However, Ryan Bertrand (knee), Wesley Fofana (ankle), Ricardo Pereira (calf), Jamie Vardy (thigh), Timothy Castagne (thigh) and Jonny Evans (thigh) are all out.
These two Midlands rivals couldn’t be in more contrasting form. Forest will have an edge at home, but Leicester are so unpredictable and they should manage a draw at the City Ground.
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