Will we witness any shocks as we enter the fifth round of this season’s FA Cup? The only remaining representatives for League Two, Coventry City, will certainly be hoping so. They travel to Brighton as they look for another big scalp in this competition. Rochdale also have the chance of pulling off an upset but they’ll need everything to go their way against Tottenham on Sunday.
Fellow League One side Wigan face a similarly tricky test after being drawn against Pep Guardiola’s Man City. Only one English side has managed to defeat the Citizens all season. Almost as tough to beat right now are high flying Swansea who have gone from strength to strength under Carlos Carvalhal. The Portuguese boss return to his former club, Sheffield Wednesday and a warm reception is expected.
Friday 16th February 2018
Leicester City v Sheffield United (19:45) – Leicester to win (8/15 with Betfred)
This is not the first time this season these two sides have met. Back in August the pair came together at Bramall Lane for an EFL Cup clash. Leicester ran out 4-1 winners in a game which saw both managers make eight changes. We’ll see stronger line-ups named this time but the Blades no longer have their earlier season form in which they were scoring goals for fun.
The Foxes may have been thrashed by Man City 5-1 last weekend but you can expect a strong response on their return to the King Power. It’s a place at which Leicester love playing and in the past 13 months only one side outside the Premier League big six has beaten them there. Riyad Mahrez could make his first start following his transfer fall-out and he’ll join the likes of the in-form Jamie Vardy and/or Kelechi Iheanacho who bagged two goals in the last round.
Chelsea v Hull City (20:00) – Chelsea to win to nil (20/23 with BetVictor)
Speculation continues to surround the future of Antonio Conte and at times lately it seems to have been an unwanted distraction at the club. The Blues have lost three of their last five contests including a 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Bournemouth. The shock result marked Chelsea’s first defeat at Stamford Bridge since September.
It was business as usual when taking on West Brom on Monday night though with Chelsea returning to winning ways at their home ground. This far more assured showing makes you think they can win this game without too much in the way of problems. Relegation threatened Hull have been unimpressive for many weeks now and their toothless attack will once more struggle for goals.
Saturday 17th February 2018
Sheffield Wednesday v Swansea City (12:30) – Draw (23/10 with Betfred)
Swansea boss Carlos Carvalhal enjoyed a two and a half year spell as Wednesday boss and his replacement, Jos Luhukay, is still looking to make his mark at the Yorkshire club. While things haven’t improved much since the change in manager, the Owls have at least become harder to beat, losing just one of their last eight matches
Swansea have thrived under Carvalhal and despite a tough run of fixtures, collecting 10 points from the last possible 12. On top of this there was also the 8-1 demolition of Notts County in the FA Cup replay, a game which epitomised Swansea’s confidence right now. The Swans have drawn the last four on the road though and given Wednesday’s doggedness, it’s worth backing this turning into five
Brighton & Hove Albion v Coventry City (15:00) – Brighton to win with -1 handicap (6/5 with Betfair)
Thanks to Matty Ryan’s superb penalty stop in the dying seconds against Stoke, Brighton were able to extend their unbeaten run to four games. It was nothing less than the Seagulls deserved for their efforts either. Rather more underserved was their freak last gap winner in the last round of this competition. A cleared cross hit Glenn Murray before flying into the Middlesbrough net, saving Brighton the need for a replay.
While not impressing up north, back at home against League Two opposition, Brighton should have no problem seeing off this game. The Sky Blues did beat a troubled Stoke side in the third round but another upset seems like being a step too far. Their away form is patchy at best so don’t expect them to cause much drama against a solid Brighton at the Amex Stadium.
West Bromwich Albion v Southampton (15:00) – Southampton to win (17/10 with Betfair)
When these two sides went head to head in the league earlier this month it was Southampton who walked away with all three points following a dazzling display. In what was perhaps their best showing of the season, the Saints fought from behind and midfielder Mario Lemina bossed the show. Could a return to the Hawthorns trigger another top Saints performance?
With West Brom continuing to struggle, there’s a good chance of thinking it will. Alan Pardew’s side sit bottom of the table having won just one league game since August. They did record a surprise away win against Liverpool to book their place in the fifth round but showings like this have been so incredibly rare for the Baggies this season.
Huddersfield Town v Manchester United (17:30) – Under 2.5 goals (21/20 with Coral)
The stats are pointing towards this game not being a thriller. Huddersfield may have netted four against Bournemouth in their last game but they had managed just one goal in the previous six against Premier League opponents. With Aaron Mooy likely out injured too, the Terriers are without their main creative outlet. Bad news indeed against a side with the best defensive record in the top-flight.
Man United have been scoring more than opponents lately but their playing style has not been getting fans out of their seats. They fired blank against Spurs and Newcastle and managed just the two at home to Huddersfield during a fairly lacklustre display. Mourinho’s men look rather stuck for ideas going forward and playing away from home will not help them in their efforts to regain some attacking flair.
Sunday 18th February 2018
Rochdale v Tottenham Hotspur (16:00) – Rochdale to win with +3 handicap (3/1 with Betfair)
Rochdale have enjoyed little joy in League One this season so the cup has been a wonderful distraction for them. Few expected them to get past Millwall in the fourth round but after claiming a deserved replay, the Dale were then able to beat the Lions on home soil. Home sand in probably a more appropriate term given the state of the pitch but it is being re-laid in time for this match.
Tottenham were made to sweat in the last round against Newport, equalising with just eight minutes to go in south Wales. The testing conditions plus a rotated side saw a far from fluid display from the visitors. Mauricio Pochettino could well shake up his side again here having played in mid-week and if Spurs are not at full strength, Rochdale should have enough to avoid a hammering.
Monday 19th February 2018
Wigan Athletic v Manchester City (19:55) – Man City to win by two goals (11/4 with Betfair)
Wigan have already knocked out two Premier League sides so far in this season’s FA Cup but Man City are a completely different beast. Pep Guardiola may rest a few names but he’s on the hunt for silverware and the line-up he named against Cardiff in the last round suggests another strong side will feature here.
With the visitors taking this game seriously, Wigan seem to have little chance. The Citizens have simply been irresistible this season and Wigan’s style of football is likely to work to their advantage. The Latics have impressed this season and will be able to provide some resistance but ultimately the Premier League leaders should get the game sorted without too much fuss.