• FA Cup preview

Cup of dreams hands Arsenal nightmare trip

The Premier League takes a backseat for a week, as the FA Cup finally gets back on track after a new year schedule derailed almost immediately by persistent weather and a subsequent need for a remarkable number of replays.

At Old Trafford, title-challengers Manchester United and Arsenal face off in an intriguing game - while Stoke City and West Ham cast off the spectre of relegation to prioritise their pursuit of a day out at Wembley. Elsewhere, can Championship side Reading - with their own promotion aspirations - pull off another upset against Manchester City? And are Birmingham destined to pull off a miraculous cup Double?

Betting preview - back United to add to Gunners' misery

Saturday

Birmingham City v Bolton Wanderers - LIVE ON ESPN
Form: As recently crowned Carling Cup champions Birmingham should be buoyant at the moment - but an uninspiring defeat to West Brom and subsequent draw with Everton since that Wembley win suggests they are still suffering something of a trophy hangover. Bolton, on the other hand, are enjoying a great run of form - four wins and a draw in their last five. When the two met earlier in the season at the Reebok 10-man Bolton battled back to share the spoils at 2-2 - and another close game looks highly likely. These two first met in the FA Cup in 1894, with Bolton (once again the visitors) winning 4-3 on that occasion.
Key battle: Roger Johnson and Kevin Davies both pride themselves in their physical strength, and will get another chance to prove themselves - alongside their more underrated technical and positional qualities - in an important battle that could affect the course of the contest.
Player to watch: With in-form Daniel Sturridge ineligible, Johan Elmander will want to impress - especially as he is out of contract at the end of the season and will be eager to drive up both interest and his wage demands with some impactful displays.
Talking point: Can Birmingham really follow in the footsteps of Chelsea (2007), Liverpool (2001) and Arsenal (1993) to become the fourth club to win both domestic cup competitions in the same season?
Bet of the day: Birmingham might find it hard to build up the motivation for this one, but the home crowd won't let them slack off easily. A score draw is an obvious possibility, 2-2 representing value: 14/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-2

Manchester United v Arsenal
Form: The clash of the weekend. Having waited until February to lose a league game all season, Sir Alex Ferguson's side have now lost their last two - although admittedly they came away to Chelsea and Liverpool. United have an injury list almost as long as Nani's gashed leg, but Arsenal themselves are in a rocky patch - winning one of their last four (against Leyton Orient) - and suffering cup heartbreak against both Barcelona and Birmingham. Without Cesc Fabregas and Wojciech Szczesny, but with Robin van Persie, the players will need to pick themselves up to avenge the 1-0 league defeat they suffered at Old Trafford earlier in the season.
Key battle: The old master versus his purported heir apparent - Paul Scholes will see himself shadowed for much of the game by a man almost half his age in Jack Wilshere. The Arsenal midfielder is already a remarkably mature footballer, but the understated Scholes will still fancy he can teach him a thing or two (though perhaps not about the art of tackling).
Player to watch: Manuel Almunia played quite unlike his usual self - which is to say, really rather well - after coming on as a substitute at Camp Nou in midweek. With Szczesny and Lukasz Fabianski both injured Wenger has acknowledged he will pursue an emergency loan, but the Spaniard will at least get this second chance to offer the Frenchman food for thought on a temporary solution to his deepening goalkeeping crisis.
Talking point: With both clubs embroiled in an increasingly tight Premier League title fight, will the two managers view this game as a possible boost to confidence and morale or a potential distraction - and will that affect their team selections accordingly?
Bet of the day: There's value to be had in backing Arsenal, but United are hard to ignore at home and a fortuitous 1-0 win seems highly possible: 6/1 with bet365
Prediction: 1-0

Sunday

Will Demba Ba punish Stoke City once again? © PA Photos

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Stoke City v West Ham United
Form: The Demba Ba derby returns, just a week after the last one. On that occasion the Senegalese forward was in blistering form as the Hammers romped to a 3-0 victory, their third win on the spin (that started with a 5-1 FA Cup demolition of Burnley). Tony Pulis' side have floundered in recent weeks, with cup success over Brighton their only win in the last six, and have little reason to be confident for this one - in the other two meetings against West Ham this season they have managed just the solitary draw - also being knocked out of the Carling Cup.
Key battle: Bossed in midfield last time the two sides met, Dean Whitehead will be determined to do a better job of silencing Avram Grant's other man-of-the-moment, Thomas Hitzlsperger.
Player to watch: Demba Ba. Was one big performance against his would-be employers enough payback for seeing his transfer to the Britannia fall through due to concerns thrown up at the medical, or will he want to make another statement - this time in front of the fans that never got to embrace him?
Talking point: With both clubs far from Premier League safety, which would they opt for if given the choice: FA Cup success at Wembley, or survival in the top flight for another year?
Bet of the day: Are Stoke really so bad as to be unable to beat West Ham once in four attempts? Probably not - so how about John Carew to score anytime in a 2-1 win: 13/1 with bet365
Prediction: 2-1

Manchester City v Reading - LIVE ON ESPN
Form: Hopefully Manchester City will have warmed up - and Mario Balotelli will have got over his allergic reaction - after being caught cold on the way to defeat against Dynamo Kiev on Thursday. It was the club's first defeat in seven, though, so Roberto Mancini will remain reasonably confident - especially after winning at a canter against Aston Villa in the previous round of the competition. As the only Football League club left standing, Reading are flying the flag somewhat and, after upsetting Everton at Goodison Park in the previous round and Liverpool only a season prior, they will see nothing to fear when they head to the City of Manchester Stadium.
Key battle: Reading central defender Matt Mills - a former City academy graduate - has been touted by many as a fine prospect for the future, even scoring the winning goal in the Royals' last round victory over Everton. Assuming he overcomes injury, he will get a chance to show to any watching scouts whether he can cope with a forward of the established size and ability of Edin Dzeko.
Player to watch: After an initially subdued start to life in England, David Silva has grown into an increasingly influential member of the side in recent weeks. Playing between the lines against a Championship side likely to be slightly unfamiliar with his techniques, the Spanish World Cup winner could well be his side's creative fulcrum.
Talking point: City are attempting to end a well-documented run of more than 34 years without a major trophy - but Mancini's job probably depends on Champions League qualification. With that on the line, and especially after a gruelling midweek trip, will the Italian be willing to put the fans' dreams at risk to rest key players?
Bet of the day: City will likely win... but an own goal to help (or hinder) them on their way could be a worthy flutter: 7/1 with bet365
Prediction: 3-1

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