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FA Cup Fourth Round Preview

Fourth Round Proper of the FA Cup is scheduled for the weekend up ahead with sixteen interesting matches. The underdogs will try to continue their dream and take a step closer to Wembley, but the favourites have plans of their own. Several Premier League teams are bound to end their participation in this season’s competition probably earlier than expected, since we have three top flight encounters in this round. Klopp or Bilic, Garde or Pellegrini, Pardew or Hughes, three of those managers will have to satisfy with the Fourth Round and hope for a better result next season.

Friday

19:55 GMT Derby County vs Manchester United

Special: Derby to Win at 12/1 or Man Utd to Win at 7/1

Saturday

12:45 GMT Colchester United vs Tottenham Hotspur

Colchester Community Stadium will host the clash between the home team and Tottenham Hotspur. The U’s are not in a good place at the time being, having hit rock bottom of the League One, and will need to fight hard if they plan to avoid relegation. Kevin Keen’s charges won only three of their last seventeen games, coincidentally all in the FA Cup, but, truth being told, all of their previous adversaries in the competition were not as good as the Spurs. Mauricio Pochettino’s side are on a three-game winning streak in all competitions, have been scoring for fun in the spell and are coming to Essex full of confidence. Even though the Argentinian coach will most certainly rest some of his key players, I firmly believe that Colchester came as far as they could get in the cup this season and that the Spurs have a clear way to the Fifth Round.

Tip: Away win

15:00 GMT West Bromwich Albion vs Peterborough United

Tony Pulis’ charges had a lot of trouble against Bristol City in the replay, but managed to fight their way through the Fourth Round, where they await Peterborough United. The Posh have been waiting for a victory at the Hawthorns for almost forty years now, but, given their current form, I doubt they are capable of ending the negative trend. ABAX Stadium outfit are struggling in front of opposition goals lately, having scored a mere one goal in their last three games. Additionally, Peterborough have never won a cup match against a premier league team. Tony Pulis is a manager who knows how to play cup competitions and is stealthily hoping to repeat the success from 2011, when he lead Stoke to the finals. WBA already defeated Graham Westley’s charges twice in the FA Cup, and will most certainly continue the good run. I do not expect a lot of fireworks in this fixture, but I do expect that the home team will advance.

Tip: Home win

15:00 GMT Bolton Wanderers vs Leeds United

For the second time this season Bolton will host Leeds United on Saturday afternoon. Their previous clash in the Championship at Marcon Stadium ended in a draw (1-1). The Trotters have little success against the Whites on home turf, they recorded a single win in their last ten matches (D4 L5). But, the Wanderers are on the rise, since they recorded important back-to-back victories, netting a total of 6 goals in the process, and I am quite confident they will continue their good goal scoring run. Steve Evans’ side put at least one to their name in previous twelve games in Bolton. Looking at the statistics, a close encounter is expected, since under 2.5 goals were scored in five of their last six games, but I firmly believe both teams will manage to find the net this time out.

Tip: Both teams to score

15:00 GMT Arsenal vs Burnley

Both teams are fighting for the top position in their respective leagues, and both teams are currently sitting on the 3rd place in the overall standings. Arsenal are the favorites in this clash, but bear in mind they are seriously shaken after the home defeat against Chelsea (0-1). Burnley, on the other hand, are in tremendous form, they have been scoring for fun lately, with 14 goals in four matches, which made them become the most efficient team in the Championship. If we disregard Arsenal’s recent slip up, the Gunners have been rather productive on home ground this season in all competitions, with more than two scored goals per game on average. What is more, 10 goals were netted in their previous three encounters against Burnley at Emirates Stadium, and this is why I expect a lot of fireworks in the upcoming game as well.

Tip: Over 2.5 goals

15:00 GMT Reading vs Walsall

After hammering Huddersfield in the Third Round replay (5-2), the Royals will be looking for their first triumph in history on home ground against Walsall (D2 L3). The Saddlers proved to be a tough nut to crack when playing at Madejski Stadium. Four of their six matches in Reading ended with a low-scoring result. Moreover, Brian McDermoth’s side failed to score in three of them. The Royals are not so productive on home ground this term, scoring just little over a goal per game, but they rely on their tight defense that concedes once in every two fixtures when playing at Madejski Stadium. Even though Sean O’Driscoll’s men have been highly productive on their travels this term, under 2.5 goals were scored in four of Walsall’s previous five away games. This is why I expect a tough, low-scoring clash.

Tip: Under 2.5 goals

15:00 GMT Aston Villa vs Manchester City

15:00 GMT Shrewsbury Town vs Sheffield Wednesday

For the first time in almost forty years Shrewsbury Town will host Sheffield Wednesday at New Meadow in the FA Cup Fourth Round Propper. The Salop hope for yet another cup miracle, after defeating Cardiff City in the previous round (1-0). Micky Mellon’s side are suffering from a certain dip in form concerning the home performance, as they are on a four-game winless run, scoring a mere one goal in the spell. A potentially good thing for the Salop is that Sheffield Wednesday are coming to town, since the Owls managed to win only one of their last eight away fixtures (D3 L4). The fact of the matter is that two teams with toothless attacks are meeting in this round, and I would not dare to put my money on goals in this clash.

Tip: Under 2.5 goals

15:00 GMT Nottingham Forest vs Watford

15:00 GMT Crystal Palace vs Stoke City

15:00 GMT Oxford United vs Blackburn Rovers

15:00 GMT Portsmouth vs AFC Bournemouth

15:00 GMT Bury vs Hull City

17:30 GMT Liverpool vs West Ham United

Sunday

13:30 GMT Carlisle United vs Everton

16:00 GMT Milton Keynes Dons vs Chelsea

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