FA Cup is back this weekend and it's a competition that's always entertaining to watch, even when we get the shock of the weekend or a great match, It's part of the Magic of the cup!
The Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round comes around and there are big FA Cup ties throughout this weekend and massive opportunities for lower league clubs to progress into the next round to make history and their club name stand out.
I will be giving a preview of 6 Big FA Cup ties that I feel you should watch and to keep an eye on a player throughout the match this weekend in the FA Cup!
Friday 26th January 2024
Tottenham vs Man City, 8pm, Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Live on ITV
Tonight, Tottenham and the FA Cup holders Man City go head to head once again this season, but this time will be the 15th time in a big crunch FA Cup tie. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is a Horror place for the holder's Man City and Pep Guardiola as they have a wretched record, they've lost and not scored a goal in their last 5 visits to the stadium either in league or cup competitions!, will that end tonight or will it continue?
The two sides played out yet another thriller at the Etihad back in December in the league as Ange Postecoglou's short-handed visitors snatched a 3-3 draw in Manchester, due to Dejan Kulusevski's stoppage-time equaliser.
Once again tonight, Tottenham will be short-handed with majority of key players out injured or on international duty, but a huge boost for Tottenham is that they will have James Maddison and Dejan Kulusevski available ready for the big game. James Maddison has been a huge signing for Tottenham this year, scoring 3 goals and 5 assists before he got injured. Postecoglou said of Maddison that "there aren't too many in the league that are like him". He added: "It just helps our ability to prepare for the challenges ahead. We have been through a difficult period."
Man City though are still without their Hottest striker Erling Haaland due to a lack of fitness. "He is still not ready for tomorrow but he is close, he trained, but is not perfect and we will wait a little bit more." said Man City manager Pep Guardiola yesterday during his press conference. Man City have got Ederson and John Stones back in selection for the match.
It certainly will be an entertaining match to watch and cannot wait!
Player To watch
The player to watch in the match tonight is Phil Foden. The 23-year-old attacking midfielder is a great young talent to watch on the pitch. He has played 20 matches so far this season and scored 5 and assisted 6.
Chelsea Vs Aston Villa, 7:45pm, Stamford Bridge
Another all Premier League tie tonight in the FA Cup and this time its recently booked Carabao Cup 2024 finalists Chelsea face High flying top four Premier League side Aston Villa. Stamford Bridge has been a great place for Aston Villa in their last two visits, beating Chelsea without conceding a goal.
Pochettino said that he is desperate to win a trophy or a title at Chelsea and not bothered to sign more players at the club as he is happy with the size of the squad. Chelsea will be on a boost after winning 6-1 (6-2 on Agg) in their Carabao Cup Semi-Final second leg at home against Middlesbrough in midweek to book a place at Wembley to face Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final to try and win their first trophy under Pochettino. They are without forward Christopher Nkunku, who is recovering from an injury, and defender Malo Gusto tonight, but they both could be back for Chelsea's next league game in midweek.
Uni Emery thinks his side, Aston Villa, will have enough quality to go and beat Chelsea tonight. "Chelsea are playing well and getting better. They achieved the first final in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday. For them the cup is important and I respect them, of course, but if we play like we have been playing, we will be in a position to win." Aston Villa again does have players injured and players on international duty but does have their major players for this game available.
Player To watch
The player to watch tonight in this game is Ollie Watkins. The 28-year-old is a great striker full of pace and a threat to play against on the pitch. He has played 21 matches so far this season and scored 9 and assisted 8.
Saturday 27th January 2024
Ipswich Vs Maidstone United, 12:30pm, Portman Road, Live on BBC One
The lowest rank side takes centre stage at Portman Road in the early kick-off on Saturday as National League South side Maidstone United has had a magical run so far by beating teams in League One and Two in past rounds this season to make a broken record as their furthest-ever round in the FA Cup!, but now they face a tricky, high flying Championship side Ipswich Town away from home. It's time for a Giant Killing!
Kieran McKenna is likely to rotate his squad with team members who don't get much game time. Maidstone United's boss, George Elokobi is likely to play his strongest side to put up a challenge against the inform Championship side.
Player To watch
The player to watch is from Maidstone United. It's young talented striker, Matt Rush, he is 22 years old and scored 10 goals in the national conference south, recently signed for Maidstone from Aveley a few months ago and he's a bright talent to watch on the pitch.
Maidstone Fans, enjoy your biggest day out, and good luck!
Fulham Vs Newcastle United, 7pm, Craven Cottage, Live on ITV4
Another all-Premier League tie in the FA Cup fourth round as Fulham and Newcastle go head to head for a place in the fifth round and closer to Wembley! This will be a great FA cup tie to watch as these two have a similar style of play.
Coming into the game, Fulham came close in the Carabao Cup semi-final heartbreak against Liverpool in midweek. The Cottagers will play their same players as usual as no injury list but they are still without a major trophy in their 145-year history but remain in contention for FA Cup stardom.
Newcastle though still have their injury crisis ongoing, so Eddie Howe won't have much of a choice to play his fully injury-free team in this cup tie. Newcastle would probably love to end their 70 year wait on lifting the FA Cup!
Player To watch
The player to watch is Willian. The 35-year-old winger is a joy to watch still, he is full of skill, and pace and a threat on the wing to play against on his day. He has played 22 matches so far this season, scored 5 and assisted 1.
Sunday 28th January 2024
West Brom Vs Wolves, 11:45am, The Hawthorns, Live on ITV
We Certainly love derbies in the FA Cup, This time a Black Country Derby !!!
Firstly, why is it called a Black Country Derby?
It's called a Black Country Derby because in the mid-nineteenth century, due to the smoke from the many thousands of ironworking foundries and forges from working in the shallow and 30ft thick coal seams, which was based in between West Bromwich and Wolverhampton.
Back to the football now, the Championship side inform West Brom and the Premiership inform side Wolves take on each other for a place in the next round. The last time these two faced each other was in the Premier League three years ago and no one took the bragging rights in the derby, well this time someone will!
West Brom under Carlos Corberan sits just inside the play-off places in the championship and Wolves under Gary O'Neil sit mid-table in the Premier League. Both teams will be exciting to watch in this one and cannot wait to watch it!
Player To watch
The player to watch in the Black Country Derby is Pablo Sarabia. The 31-year-old midfielder is an assist and a free-kick specialist on the pitch. He is a threat in this Wolves side under Gary O'Neil. He has played 14 matches so far this season and scored 1 and assisted 5.
Newport County Vs Man Utd, 4:30pm, Rodney Parade, Live on BBC One
Last year's FA Cup Finalists and runners up Man Utd awaits next at Rodney Parade this weekend as Erik Ten Hag's Premier league side face League Two's Newport County in the fourth round for a brilliant FA Cup clash, that shows what the competition is all about.
Man Utd will have to perform to perfection this weekend to not face, which could be, one of the greatest giant killings of the weekend in the fourth round! Newport currently sit 14th in League Two under manger Graham Coughlan while Manchester United under Erik Ten Hag sit eighth in the Premiership. The disparity in squad values is unsurprisingly gigantic and it will be the first ever time the teams meet in a competitive match.
Newport County have only won just one of their last 23 meetings with top-flight opponents in all competitions making a 'cupset' unlikely, but not impossible. They've managed seven draws though, and their sole win came against Leicester City 2-1 in the FA Cup in the 2018/19 season. So never put them off just yet!
Man Utd know the Fa Cup very well, won it 12 times and made the final 21 times, but will they make it 22 times? We will find out in April if they are in the final.
Erik Ten Hag is likely to rotate his squad due to a midweek league game coming up and Graham Coughlan is likely play his strongest side to put up a challenge against the Red Devils.
Player To watch
The player to watch during the game is Alejandro Garnacho. The 19-year-old attacker is a bright future star and is already on the rise with great talent of skill on the pitch for Man Utd. He is a threat in the attack. He has played 19 matches so far this season and scored 3 and assisted 2.
Enjoy the FA Cup this weekend!
Comments