The FA Cup returns this weekend and we’re already at the quarter-final stage of the competition. There are two all-Premier League ties to be played while two championship teams make up the final eight.
With that in mind, here’s your FA Cup preview.
Pressure on Wolves
Molineux plays host to the first FA Cup clash of the weekend as Wolves entertain Coventry City.
Given Gary O’Neil’s side are a league above their visitors, the pressure is on Wolves to make it into the semi-finals. Usually, they head into games as the underdog, so it’ll be interesting to see how they cope with the expectations.
They do head into the game in good form though having won four of their previous five matches across all competitions. They are now just two points off of seventh placed West Ham United.
Wolves appear to have fixed their defensive issues too. They have conceded two or more goals in just one of those games having conceded two or more in three consecutive games prior to that.
Coventry are also in good form though. They’ve won back-to-back games in the Championship and possess one of the most in-form strikers in the country at their disposal in Ellis Simms. The 23-year-old has two hat-tricks in his last four matches.
Coventry are just a point outside of the playoff places in the Championship and have been amongst the goals in the FA Cup with 16 goals in four matches.
It has the potential to be a really good game for the neutral.
The champions can make a statement
In the evening kick off on Saturday, Manchester City host Newcastle United at the Etihad.
Pep Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in 21 matches across all competitions and haven’t suffered a loss on home turf in 19 games. They are formidable at the Etihad. They are also going to want to make a statement following the disappointing performance against Liverpool at Anfield last weekend.
City have a good record against Newcastle but these clashes tend to be fairly tight.
The last three games between these two teams have been decided by the odd goal.
Newcastle head into this game in poor form, all things told. They have won just one of their last five outings across all competitions, in normal time, and needed penalties to beat Championship side Blackburn in the last round.
Inconsistent teams face off at Stamford Bridge
Championship leaders Leicester City travel to Stamford Bridge on Sunday to take on Premier League side Chelsea.
Both teams have put in Jekyll and Hyde performances over recent weeks.
For example, Chelsea have conceded two goals in each of their last three outings but are unbeaten in those games. They are, however, without a clean sheet in nine matches.
Their record against the Foxes is fairly good though, they are unbeaten in five matches against Sunday’s opponents.
It was going all so well for Leicester. But they’ve now lost three of their last six games and the goals have somewhat dried up. Their two wins during this period have been by a 1-0 scoreline.
They are still top of the championship but their lead is now down to just three points. An FA Cup run might be a distraction they don’t need at this stage of the season. Still, an FA Cup semi-final is not an opportunity you can pass up.
Old rivals take centre stage
Last but not least, the clash of the weekend.
Manchester United host Liverpool for a place in the final four of the FA Cup. The Red Devils have the chance to end any hopes of a quadruple for the Reds during Jürgen Klopp’s final campaign as manager at Anfield.
There’s an FA Cup semi-final place up for grabs as well as long-term bragging rights.
The draw with Manchester City last weekend ended Liverpool’s winning run at seven. United, meanwhile, have been a little more inconsistent over recent weeks having won three and lost two of their last five matches.
The Reds have won four of the previous six matches against the Red Devils. However, United won the last meeting between the two sides in the FA Cup.
Both teams have been obliterated by injuries. Both could do with fielding a weakened team here to focus on the Premier League but with an international break on the horizon, expect the managers to throw everything at this clash.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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