• FA Cup preview

Hurt Drogba to seek redemption against Everton

ESPN staff
February 18, 2011
Didier Drogba was left out in the cold against Fulham but he will be hoping to heap misery on Everton © Getty Images
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The FA Cup returns this weekend and three mouthwatering ties are live on ESPN, with Chelsea's replay against Everton getting the action underway on Saturday. Then comes Arsenal's trip to Leyton Orient, followed by a tricky Monday night tie for West Ham against Burnley. Click here for subscription details.

Betting - Everton can upset Chelsea

Saturday

Chelsea v Everton - Live on ESPN
Form: Chelsea's Premier League title dreams are all but over, their recent loss to Liverpool and draw at Craven Cottage have left them 12 points adrift of leaders Manchester United. However, the FA Cup should provide a much-needed distraction and they will be buoyed with their cup form after crushing Ipswich 7-0 in the last round. Everton may be 13th in the table but their recent performances have baffled. One week they look like world beaters with a pulsating 5-3 win over Blackpool and the next they succumb to a limp defeat at Bolton.
Key battle: Tim Cahill was in a rich vein of scoring form earlier in the season and his battle with Frank Lampard, who also likes to get forward at every opportunity, will play a big part in determining which defence has a busier afternoon.
Player to watch: Didier Drogba was dropped to the bench for Chelsea's 0-0 stalemate against Fulham in favour of Chelsea's £50 million man Fernando Torres. However, with the Spaniard cup-tied, the Ivory Coast international will return to the starting XI and, ominously for Everton, with a point to prove.
Talking point: Chelsea haven't scored in their last two outings, while Everton haven't kept a clean sheet since a 0-0 draw with Wigan in December. Reading await the winner on March 1 and they might well be licking their lips.
Bet of the day: Didier Drogba to score first goal and Chelsea to win 2-1: 25/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Birmingham v Sheffield Wednesday
Form: Birmingham were sluggish and lacklustre in their 2-0 defeat to Newcastle on Tuesday and the loss clearly infuriated boss Alex McLeish. The manager cited a lack of inspiration for the poor showing but his side shouldn't have any problems lifting themselves with an FA Cup quarter-final place at stake. Like Birmingham, Wednesday find themselves struggling in League One. Their winless run stretched to nine games with a crushing 3-0 defeat to Tranmere in midweek, although Gary Megson's side did play almost half an hour with 10 men.
Key battle: Clinton Morrison has a huge affinity for the FA Cup - he's notched up five goals in this year's competition already. Roger Johnson has been in great form for Birmingham this term and their personal duel could decide the outcome of this one.
Player to watch: He went missing against Newcastle but Nikola Zigic has looked the real deal in recent weeks and his towering presence may be too much for the Owls defence.
Talking point: Wednesday are in dire straits but will their cup fixture provide some respite from their shocking run in League One?
Bet of the day: Birmingham to win 2-1: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Stoke v Brighton
Form: Robert Huth was the hero in the fourth round, his late goal securing Stoke a place in the hat. Upon returning to matters in the league, their form has wavered somewhat - they've scored three but conceded five. Brighton are flying high in League One and lead second-placed Bournemouth by three points, who have also played two games more. Brighton, who finished as runners-up in 1983, are thriving in this year's competition, enjoying wins over FC United, Portsmouth and Watford en route to the last 16.
Key battle: Glenn Murray has scored 14 goals in League One but is still waiting to grab his first in this year's FA Cup. His task will not be made any easier by an ever-present Robert Huth.
Player to watch: New boy John Carew scored on his home debut and, if he can develop an understanding with strike partner Kenwyne Jones, he could thrive if Stoke's wide men deliver decent service.
Talking point: The Seagulls have been playing some attractive football this season, with manager Gus Poyet preferring to focus on possession. Stoke play a notoriously physical game, so which style will prevail?
Bet of the day: Stoke to win 3-1: 12/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

Javier Hernandez is proving to be clinical in front of goal © Getty Images
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Manchester United v Crawley Town
Form: Manchester United returned to winning ways against Manchester City last Saturday thanks to Wayne Rooney's wonder goal, ensuring they maintained their four-point lead over closest rivals Arsenal at the top of the table. With a Champions League tie with Marseille looming, Sir Alex Ferguson may feel inclined to ring the changes. Crawley Town may be the minnows of the competition but they showed what they can do by dumping out Derby Town in round three. They've slipped to second in the Blue Square Premier, three points behind Wrexham, although they have four games in hand over the league leaders.
Key battle: Matt Tubbs scored a stunning hat-trick in Crawley's 3-2 triumph over Wrexham last weekend to take his tally for the season to 28 in all competitions. Chris Smalling looked assured when deputising for Rio Ferdinand against City and the prospect of facing an in-form Tubbs is unlikely to faze him.
Player to watch: Rooney may have regained hero status at Old Trafford after his brilliant overhead kick but Javier Hernandez is still riding the crest of a wave since last summer. With Rooney likely to be rested, 'Chicharito' will get a chance to enhance his growing reputation.
Talking point: It doesn't get any bigger than this for the non-league outfit. It is Crawley's biggest match in their history, how will they cope with the pressure?
Bet of the day: Javier Hernandez to score a hat-trick: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-0

Sunday

Manchester City v Notts County
Form: Manchester City will be eager to put on a show after they drew a blank against Greek side Aris Salonika in the first leg of their last-32 Europa League tie on Tuesday. Following their humbling 1-1 draw against Notts County, Roberto Mancini's men have managed only one victory. County eased any relegation fears with a comfortable win over Colchester in mid-week but their recent form has been patchy to say the least.
Key battle: Lee Hughes is a feisty operator but Vincent Kompany, who performed so heroically against Rooney until the England striker's moment of genius, relishes a physical confrontation.
Player to watch: Hard to ignore Carlos Tevez. Whenever the Argentine plays well, more often than not City excel.
Talking point: With Shaun Wright-Phillips hinting he may leave Eastlands at the end of the season, will he have one more chance to revive his faltering City career?
Bet of the day: Shaun Wright-Phillips to be first goalscorer: 10/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

Johan Elmander needs to re-establish his excellent early-season form © PA Photos
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Fulham v Bolton
Form: Ivan Klasnic's second-half strike settled Bolton's fourth-round replay with Wigan on Wednesday night but Fulham boss Mark Hughes will have seen little to fear ahead of the Trotters' visit to Craven Cottage on Sunday. Prior to their game at the DW Stadium, Bolton showed better form in the league, winning two of their last three matches but at the heart of their revival has been an in-form Daniel Sturridge - who is cup-tied. Fulham were sensational in their 4-0 mauling of Spurs in the previous round and their morale-boosting result has seen them go on an unbeaten run in the league ever since.
Key battle: Danny Murphy has found a new lease of life since the arrival of Steve Sidwell. Matt Taylor enjoyed a rest midweek but he should return to ensure Murphy doesn't have everything his own way in the middle of the park.
Player to watch: With Sturridge unavailable, the onus will fall on Johan Elmander to lead Bolton's attack. The responsibiilty may not weigh too heavily on his shoulders, however, considering he has 10 goals to his name this season in all competitions.
Talking point: With Sam Ricketts joining Zat Knight on the sidelines, Bolton's defence has a fragile look to it. But will the notoriously goal-shy Fulham be able to capitalise?
Bet of the day: A 1-1 draw: 5/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-1

Leyton Orient v Arsenal - Live on ESPN
Form: Arsenal will be riding high after their exhilarating fightback stunned Barcelona at Emirates Stadium but whether they can motivate themselves sufficiently after facing Lionel Messi and Co. remains to be seen. Since beating Huddersfield last time out in the cup, the Gunners have been in fabulous form - if you disregard their capitulation at Newcastle, they've notched up six goals and only let in two at the other end. Leyton Orient have won three on the spin in League One, bagging 10 goals in the process and the play-off places are now within sight.
Key battle: Ben Chorley, a former Arsenal trainee, is a towering centre-back but will he be able to cope with the movement of Marouane Chamakh?
Player to watch: Andrei Arshavin reignited his love affair with Arsenal after scoring the winner against Barcelona. Has he turned the corner and are we about to witness a return to top form?
Talking point: Leyton Orient have been preoccupied with the Olympic Stadium bidding war - chairman Barry Hearn is up in arms over the decision to name West Ham as the preferred bidders. With such a massive fixture, they could certainly have done without the distraction.
Bet of the day: Andrei Arshavin to score first goal and Arsenal to win 3-1: 45/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-3

Monday

West Ham v Burnley - Live on ESPN
Form: West ham may have been lifted by the news that they have been voted as the preferred bidders to take over the Olympic Stadium after 2012, but their on-field problems continue to sap morale. The Hammers sit 19th in the Premier League and, since the turn of the year, they have only won two out of seven in the league. Burnley are pushing for a play-off place in the Championship, they are five points adrift of sixth-placed Leeds. After their shock defeat to Doncaster, they've bounced back in style, taking seven of a possible nine points.
Key battle: Former Manchester United midfielder Chris Eagles has been a constant threat for Burnley throughout the season and Wayne Bridge will need to be on the ball right from the off if he is to keep him quiet.
Player to watch: New striker Demba Ba starred as West Ham fought back to claim a thrilling 3-3 draw with West Brom and, after his brace on his full debut, he should be full of confidence.
Talking point: After the club was chosen ahead of Tottenham to move to the Olympic Park after London 2012, will the players be able to lead the celebrations on the pitch?
Bet of the day: West Ham to win 2-0: 9/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-0

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