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Even though the draw for the Fourth Round Proper has already been held, we still need to determine which of the eight clubs will join their adversaries in the next round. Eastleigh are the only non-league team left in the competition, and are not without a chance to keep their place in this term’s FA Cup, after their draw against Bolton. Bristol City are also very close to become the giant-killers, as they came pretty close to scalping the Baggies in the first game. The likes of Aston Vila, Liverpool and Ipswich Town, although being favourites in their respective matches, will have to work extra hard to earn their place in the last 32. The clash at King Power Stadium will be the cherry on top of this replay, bearing in mind two outstanding recent encounters between these two teams.
Monday
19:15 GMT Newport County vs Blackburn Rovers
Tuesday
19:45 GMT Bristol City vs West Bromwich Albion
Bristol City were seconds away from an incredible victory against WBA in the FA Cup Third Round, but James Morison’s equalizer secured Tony Pulis’ men yet another exciting match in the replay at Ashton Gate Stadium. The Baggies are on a three-game winless run and in desperate need to stop the negative trend. The heavy loss against the Saints in the previous Premier League fixture certainly affected the confidence of the players, and Tony Pulis will have to work extra-hard to prepare his team for the upcoming clash, if he intends to advance to the next round. The Robins, on the other hand, recorded an important win against Middlesbrough in their battle against relegation (1-0). The dismissal of Steve Cotterill had a somewhat positive influence on the team, and it is obvious they will fight hard to earn a memorable advancement to the Fourth Round Proper. Given the fact that Bristol City already proved they can play on an equal footing against West Brom, there is a high possibility the Robins could go from rags to riches and record a win in this match. I expect both teams to score goals in this encounter.
Tip: Both teams to score
19:45 GMT Milton Keynes Dons vs Northampton Town
Nicky Meynar denied the Cobblers a victory with his 82nd-minute goal (2-2). The teams are now headed to Buckinghamshire, where Chelsea will get their opponent in the FA Cup Fourth Round. The Dons have never lost against Northampton at Stadium MKand manager Karl Robinson hopes his team will continue the tradition. Chris Wilder will rely on his star attacker Ricky Holmes, who scored a brace in the first encounter, 4 in as many games of the late. If he play as well as in the last game, he will be a handful to MK Dons’ defense. Bearing in mind that the Cobblers recorded back-to-back away triumphs in the meanwhile, while the Dons are struggling in the Championship, this game could easily go in favour of the visitors. What is certain is that we will see goals, as Karl Robinson’s side concede more than a goal per game, while the team from Northamptonshire score almost twice per match on average on their travels. This is why I will put my money on goals.
Tip: Over 2.5 goals
19:45 GMT Portsmouth vs Ipswich Town
Ipswich town secured a FA Cup third round replay in a dramatic finish of their first clash against Portsmouth (2-2). The Pompey had the lead in the late stage of the game for a brief period of time and now Fratton Park outfit hope for the replay from 2008, when they defeated Ipswich on home turf (1-0). Paul Cook’s side boast a good record on home soil this term, with just one defeat, while Ipswich performs much better on their travels, being undefeated in previous three months. Mick McCarthy’s men are on a six-game undefeated run in all competitions, but their main goal is promotion to the Premier League, thus the Tractor Boys are resting most of their main players. Even though the Pompey are two levels under the Tractor Boys at the moment, I expect a tough game and will give a slight advantage to the home team.
Tip: Home win
19:45 GMT Aston Vila vs Wycombe Wanderers
Last year’s Cup runners-up are keen to avoid an upset against Wycombe at Villa Park after a not so interesting first match in High Wycombe. Gareth Ainsworth’s charges are heading for their first FA Cup replay in history with serious hope they can advance to the fourth round. The fact that the Villans are in a tough place now could be the chance the Chairboys have been waiting for. On the other hand, Aston Vila recorded their first home win in the meanwhile, and earned a valuable point against league-leaders Leicester afterwards. It seems that Remi Garde’s men are starting to fit together and the game against the visitors from Buckinghamshire could be the perfect opportunity to prove this statement. The fact of the matter is that anything but a win in this match would cause serious problems with the fans, and the Villans cannot afford one more misunderstanding with the supporters. They need to show their Premier League class and win the game against a, with all due respect, significantly weaker opponent. I do believe that a home win is inevitable.
Tip: Home win
19:45 GMT Bradford City vs Bury
Bradford City will host Bury this Tuesday in what is expected to be an easy home victory. Bury lost four of their last five games and are coming to West Yorkshire troubled with injuries of their key players, like James Hanson and Billy Clarke. The Bantams are on a good run in the FA Cup, they are yet to concede a single goal this term. Also, Phil Parkinson’s side boast a 3-1-0 record in their previous four matches against the Shakers, and I truly believe they will continue the good run.
Tip: Home win
19:45 GMT Yeovil Town vs Carlisle United
20:00 GMT Bolton Wanderers vs Eastleigh
20:00 GMT Reading vs Huddersfield Town
Wednesday
19:45 GMT Leicester City vs Tottenham Hotspur
20:00 GMT Liverpool vs Exeter City
Special: Liverpool to Win is 6/1
