• FA Cup fourth round preview

Controversy awaits in FA Cup fourth round

January 27, 2012

ESPN will be showing the clashes of Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal when it continues its coverage of this season's FA Cup with three matches from the fourth round. For subscription details please click here

After last week's excitement in the Premier League title race, the attention turns to the fourth round of the FA Cup. The drama should not lessen, however, with ten ties featuring Premier League clubs as the competition gets serious.

Tie of the round sees Manchester United - quite possibly led by Patrice Evra - visit Liverpool - without the services of Luis Suarez - at Anfield. Elsewhere there is potential for plenty of upsets, with Newcastle and Tottenham both facing difficult away trips while Arsenal host Aston Villa.

Betting: Everton to send Fulham packing

Friday

Watford v Tottenham - live on ESPN

Form: Tottenham, having lost to Manchester City in a crucial league encounter last Sunday, reached this stage after disposing of Cheltenham in routine fashion - claiming a 3-0 win at White Hart Lane. Watford, meanwhile, beat Bradford 4-2 at home thanks to Craig Forsyth's two second half goals - although they will be somewhat flat after being beaten 3-0 by Birmingham in their Championship encounter last weekend.
Key battle: It will be interesting to see how Spurs players cope with the various distractions that have occupied the club this week - with manager Harry Redknapp not at training all week due to his ongoing tax evasion trial.
Player to watch: Jermain Defoe, agonisingly close to what would likely have been a significant winner at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday, will likely be turned to as the man with the scoring touch to fire the Premier League side past the Hornets at the first time of asking.
Talking point: Redknapp admitted this week that he "writes like a two-year-old", has never composed a text or email and can barely spell. How much better a wheeler-dealer would he be if he could do all those things?!
Bet of the day: Watford don't have the firepower or the form to really trouble Tottenham, but it should nevertheless be an entertaining contest with a number of goals. 3-1 to the away side is 11/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

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Everton v Fulham

Form: Everton are in the midst of a dire run of form, failing to win any of their last four league games including home clashes with Bolton and Blackburn. Fulham will arrive in buoyant mood after their 5-2 drubbing of Newcastle, and they smashed Charlton 4-0 to reach this stage.
Key battle: Following their draw at home to Blackburn last time out, Everton's fans are unlikely to need much encouragement to turn on their team. If Fulham's defence can keep the home side quiet, the atmosphere could become very difficult for the Merseysiders.
Player to watch: Clint Dempsey. An obvious choice after his hat-trick against Newcastle, the American has the knack for goals that Tim Cahill used to boast.
Talking point: Why is little interest shown in Dempsey? The Fulham forward never shies away from a battle, scores regularly and is a danger with head and feet. The likes of Liverpool and Chelsea could use such a player.
Bet of the day: Everton to stage a Goodison Park FA Cup special by winning from behind: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

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Saturday

QPR v Chelsea

Form: Chelsea's form has been decent, winning three of their last four in all competitions, but drawing the latest at Norwich. QPR have already won a couple of games under Mark Hughes and they triumphed in the league equivalent of this fixture earlier in the season.
Key battle: Shaun Wright-Phillips looks a man reborn at Loftus Road and the arrival of Hughes has taken his game on to an even greater level. Facing him this weekend is former team-mate Ashley Cole, so who will hold the advantage from their prior knowledge of each other's games?
Player to watch: Fernando Torres. Brilliant in flashes at Norwich and utterly confidence-ridden in others... his time to shine in the absence of Didier Drogba is lessening by the day.
Talking point: Will Anton Ferdinand shake John Terry's hand? And will he mark him at corners? The pair are currently at the centre of an alleged race controversy, but will that filter into the weekend's game?
Bet of the day: With the spotlight on two defenders in particular, back the own goal at 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

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Liverpool v Manchester United

Form: Liverpool have spluttered at home throughout the Premier League campaign, drawing seven, but the fact remains that they have not lost at Anfield all season. They got the draw needed to see off Manchester City in the Carling Cup semi-finals on Wednesday, and will relish the chance to complete a cup double against Manchester sides this weekend. United arrive having won their last three, but memories of losses to Blackburn and Newcastle still remain.
Key battle: Craig Bellamy was simply outstanding against City, pulling all three centre-backs to every corner of the pitch. Rio Ferdinand is not what he used to be, so if Bellamy's knees hold up Liverpool will ask him to repeat his performance against the Red Devils.
Player to watch: Danny Welbeck. United have rarely performed at Anfield in recent years, and the likes of Wayne Rooney, Dimitar Berbatov and Javier Hernandez have often struggled to get into the game. Welbeck has proved a scorer of big goals this season and has the game to provide United with an outlet if Liverpool respond to the famous Kop noise.
Talking point: Will both sets of fans be able to keep a lid on emotions after the Patrice Evra/Luis Suarez row? Anybody who steps out of line surely risks costing their club a fine.
Bet of the day: Liverpool to fly out of the blocks for a 1-0 lead but finish with a 1-1 draw after tiring in the second half: 16/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Bolton v Swansea

Form: Bolton are certainly not showing the form of a relegation outfit, winning three of their last five outings and losing only once. They battered Liverpool last time out, although Swansea's recent loss to Sunderland was the only time in six that they have tasted defeat. Two form sides at the Reebok.
Key battle: Mark Davies played a starring role in Bolton's 3-1 win over Liverpool and is a real ball-playing footballer. Swansea have several of those themselves though, so Davies head-to-head with the Joe Allen should be a joy to witness.
Player to watch: David N'gog. Another player to stand out for Wanderers against Liverpool, the Frenchman has failed to hit the net regularly this season but Bolton's fans will quickly take to him if he continues to run defenders ragged as he did with Daniel Agger and Martin Skrtel.
Talking point: Brendan Rodgers has introduced a superb style of football to the Swansea ranks. Is he English football's answer to Pep Guardiola and will he ever get to prove it at one of the 'big' clubs?
Bet of the day: At least five goals in the match: 11/2 with bet365
Prediction: 3-2

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Derby v Stoke

Form: Derby have not conceded in their last four matches, winning three of them by the odd goal - George Graham would be impressed. Stoke have been a mixed bag, earning an impressive draw at Liverpool before suffering defeat at home to West Brom. They were also far from impressive in the last round against Gillingham.
Key battle: Quite simply, it is the Derby defence against the Stoke attack. County will aim to give their Premier League opposition nothing, knowing it only takes one set-piece at the other end to book them a spot in round five.
Player to watch: Thomas Sorensen. May not play if Tony Pulis opts for Asmir Begovic, but the Danish keeper was at fault for both West Brom goals in Stoke's last outing.
Talking point: Pulis has called for a tennis-like challenge system to be introduced to football, where managers would be allowed to challenge one decision per half (they keep their challenge if proved correct). An idea worth pursuing?
Bet of the day: No goals in the match: 17/2 with bet365
Prediction: 0-0

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West Brom v Norwich

Form: West Brom head into the Hawthorns encounter with two wins in their last three, including a 4-2 victory over Carling Cup finalists Cardiff. Norwich drew with Chelsea last time out, ending a run of three straight wins.
Key battle: Grant Holt has less technical ability than strike partner Steve Morison, but he is capable of putting on an absolute war with Jonas Olsson this weekend.
Player to watch: Simon Cox was a hat-trick hero for the Baggies in the last round, and every FA Cup campaign features a man who cannot stop scoring in the competition. Could it be him?
Talking point: We've asked the question before and we'll ask it again, is it unfeasible to believe Paul Lambert could prove the correct successor to Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford?
Bet of the day: Norwich to lead at half-time: 3/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-2

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Brighton v Newcastle - live on ESPN

Form: Brighton are perhaps somewhat fortuitous to be here, needing a replay - at the Racecourse - to finally defeat lowly Wrexham. Newcastle, meanwhile, are riding high in the league and should be buoyed by their third round win - as they vanquished fellow Premier League side Blackburn thanks to Hatem Ben Arfa's wonderful solo goal.
Key battle: Craig Mackail-Smith remains both Brighton's best paid and most dangerous player, and could well feel he has a chance to cause Mike Williamson a great deal of trouble down at the Amex Stadium.
Player to watch: Ben Arfa was the key to victory in the Magpies' third round win, and should get another chance to orchestrate the game on Saturday evening. Are Brighton really defensively adept enough to keep him quiet?
Talking point: Newcastle will welcome both Demba Ba and new signing Papiss Demba Cisse into the squad after this game, as their participation in the African Nations Cup comes to an end, so is this Leon Best and Shola Ameobi's last chance to tell Alan Pardew that Cisse should be made to wait for his chance?
Bet of the day: Newcastle, perhaps the most famous of giants to have been killed in the competition's history, may struggle in this one. Brighton HT/Draw FT, is an enticing 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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Sunday

Sunderland v Middlesbrough

Form: Sunderland have only been beaten once in their last seven games under Martin O'Neill, and that was by Chelsea in a game the Black Cats really should have taken something from. Middlesbrough could barely be entering the derby in worse form, winning only one of their last five in all competitions.
Key battle: James McClean is carving out a reputation for himself at Sunderland, but he faces a man with Premier League experience in former Black Cats loanee Justin Hoyte, who never quite fulfilled his early promise.
Player to watch: Stephane Sessegnon is making things happen on a regular basis for Sunderland, operating in spaces between midfield and defence that opposition teams find difficult to pick up.
Talking point: Who has the most loyal fans out of the two clubs? That's one to get you chucked out of a pub...
Bet of the day: Sunderland to win 3-0: 11/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

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Arsenal v Aston Villa - live on ESPN

Form: Arsenal have lost three of their last four - with the solitary win coming in the FA Cup against Leeds United, when Thierry Henry netted his fairytale winner. Meanwhile Villa are unbeaten in three, having recovered from a chastening 2-0 defeat at home to Swansea.
Key battle: Villa will look to target Arsenal's problem right-back position; the Gunners have Bacary Sagna and Carl Jenkinson injured, meaning Johan Djourou has been deputising. However, Djourou was tormented by Manchester United last time out and withdrawn at half-time - will Arsene Wenger trust him, or plump for youngster Nico Yennaris instead?
Player to watch: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain was a surprise inclusion in the Gunners' starting line-up against Manchester United on Sunday, and he rewarded boss Wenger's faith with a mature performance, creating a goal for Robin van Persie. Reportedly Fabio Capello is considering Oxlade-Chamberlain for the England squad at Euro 2012, so he will want to carry the momentum forwards.
Talking point: Will the Arsenal fans be able to keep a lid on their disappointment if events don't go to plan in the early stages? There were vocal protests against Wenger towards the end of the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United, with supporters calling on the Frenchman to enter the transfer market.
Bet of the day: Aston Villa HT/Draw FT 16/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

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