Category: FA Cup

FA Cup Fifth Round Special

No apologies for ignoring this weekend’s truncated programme in the Championship, although I must admit I’ve got my doubts about how many  – if any – teams from the second tier will make it into the draw on Monday evening.

Huddersfield Town v Manchester City (Saturday 3pm, no TV coverage)

It’s almost 30 years since these clubs last met in the competition and although Huddersfield have never beaten City in the FA Cup, the visitors haven’t faced an important Champions League game a few days after one of their previous meetings. Then again, Huddersfield haven’t been chasing promotion from the second tier for a while either – but they have reached this stage twice in the last decade.

The Terriers victory over Port Vale in the Third Round was their first victory in a home cup tie since they beat Dover Athletic six years ago, but Huddersfield have only lost twice at the John Smith’s Stadium in the Championship this season and they’ll be hoping that City may have their mind on other things. I think the best that David Wagner’s side can hope for is a replay: it’s worth remembering that Town haven’t reached the Sixth Round since the early 1970s.

Wolves v Chelsea (Saturday 5:30pm, BT Sport 2)

After their heroics at Anfield in the last round, I’m afraid that this looks a step too far for Wolves. The hosts haven’t won a home FA Cup tie at Molineux since beating Doncaster Rovers 5-0 in 2011: since then they’ve lost four on the bounce and their only win in the FA Cup against Cheslea was in January 1928. Then there’s the fact that Wolves have only won twice at home in the league since the start of October: this could get very one sided very quickly.

Fulham v Spurs (Sunday 2:00pm, BBC1)

If I had to pick a surprise winner this weekend it would have to be in this game.

There have been four meetings between this sides in the competition since the turn of the century, the most recent was at Craven Cottage was January 2011 when Fulham won 4-0. That result was never in doubt after Spurs had Michael Dawson sent off either side of a pair Danny Murphy penalties. Fulham’s 4-1 triumph over Hull in the last round was their first triumph in a home FA Cup tie for three years; the Cottagers have won four of their last six home games in the Championship but have conceded in five of those matches and that doesn’t bode well.

Blackburn Rovers v Manchester United (Sunday 4:15pm, BT Sport 2)

The holders play another struggling Championship team and I’d be amazed if United don’t stroll to another victory, although history buffs might want to point out that all but one of the previous eight meetings between the sides in the FA Cup happened before World War II and Blackburn only lost once. Having said that, the last meeting in the Cup was at Ewood Park in Feburary 1985, the season when United beat Everton in the final despite having Kevin Moran sent off.

Rovers have won half of their last six FA Cup ties at Ewood Park but the victory against Blackpool in the last round was the first time they hadn’t faced Premier League opposition in a home cup tie for four years. Although Rovers beat QPR at home a fortnight ago, they haven’t won consecutive games at home this season.

There’s nothing much going on this weekend, although there are a couple of interesting games at either end of the table next week, so I’ll update as we go along and I think there may be a short preview post on Tuesday.

Update: the weekend went pretty much as I thought it might. Fulham and Wolves lost without scoring, Blackburn took the lead at Ewood Park but lost and Huddersfield held Manchester City to a scoreless draw at home. The draw – which was made on Sunday evening – means that if the Terriers can win the replay, they’ll travel to Middlesbrough.

FA Cup 4th Round Preview

This weekend sees the remaining clubs from the Championship take their chances in the Fourth Round of the FA Cup, but with six of the eleven teams that successfully navigated the last round taking on Premier League opposition, it’s possible that interest will be down to a minimum next month.

Before we go any further, there are two Championship clubs playing League One sides, so if you want to read about the games involving Newcastle and Huddersfield you’ll have to visit Buzzin League 1 Football to read the previews. Otherwise I’ll break down the games in the usual format.

Televised games: Derby v Leicester (7:55pm this evening, BBC1), Liverpool v Wolves (12:30 tomorrow, BBC1), Sutton United v Leeds (2:00pm Sunday BT Sport 2), Manchester United v Wigan (4:00pm Sunday BBC1).

Championship v Premier League

Derby and Leicester meet in the FA Cup for the first time in almost 108 years, but despite their poor form in the Premier League Leicester have won eight of the last nine meetings between the clubs. Liverpool last met Wolves in the cup more recently – only 65 years ago – but Wanderers have only recorded one victory in eight games against Liverpool since the turn of the century. Wigan have only beaten Manchester United once in seventeen meetings, although they’ve never been drawn against each other in the FA Cup.

Non-televised games: Burnley v Bristol City, Chelsea v Brentford (both 3pm Saturday)

The theme continues: Bristol City have never played at Turf Moor in a cup tie of any sort. However, Brentford have played at Chelsea comparatively recently: in March 2013 they forced a 2-2 draw at Griffin Park before losing the replay 4-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Which leaves us with one possible surprise in this category – if you could call it that.

Fulham v Hull (Sunday 12:30pm)

The Cottagers have been on a decent run of at home recently (one defeat in eight) but they’ve not won an FA Cup tie in front of their own fans for three years. Having written that, the last time these sides met in the competition was in 1975, when Fulham reached the final after beating Hull in a second replay at Leicester’s old ground, Filbert Street. Could history repeat itself? Both clubs lost this week, but Fulham have had an extra day to recover.

Championship v League Two

Blackburn v Blackpool (tomorrow 3pm)

There have been some signs of life at Ewood Park recently. Rovers haven’t lost at home since before Christmas and are currently only in the bottom three on goal difference. The FA Cup probably isn’t a priority, but putting one over their Lancashire rivals could well be and although Blackpool have already knocked Barnsley out of the competition this season, the Tangerines haven’t beaten Blackburn in any of their three previous meetings in the competition. Last league meeting was a 1-1 draw at Ewood Park two years ago.

Championship v National League

Lincoln v Brighton (tomorrow 3pm)

The Imps dumped a very lacklustre Ipswich side out in the last round to reach this stage of the competition for the first time in over 40 years, when the late Graham Taylor was in charge at Sincil Bank. Brighton will be a much tougher task than the Tractor Boys, although Lincoln won the most recent FA Cup tie between the sides – despite being one division below Brighton.

Sutton v Leeds (see televised matches)

Only previous meeting: a Fourth Round tie in January 1970, which Leeds won 6-0. They went on to reach the final, which they lost in a replay at Old Trafford after a thrilling 2-2 draw on a Wembley in the last FA Cup final to be held in April – supposedly to help the England team have enough time to prepare for the defence of the World Cup in Mexico.

There are five league games tomorrow and a full midweek programme next week, but I’ll update as we go along and I’ll be back next Friday.

UPDATE

A ridiculous weekend. Derby began badly but nearly beat Leicester, Wolves lead for the entire game against Liverpool and recorded a memorable victory and Blackburn, Fulham and Huddersfield won comfortably.

Otherwise it was absolutely dismal. Brentford and Bristol City did as well as was expected, but the rest of the Championship teams were a disgrace. You know who you are: if promotion to the Premier League is your priority, perhaps you should just not bother playing at all and just pay a fine or similar.

Fifth Round Draw:

Blackburn v Manchester United, Fulham v Spurs, Huddersfield v Manchester City, Millwall v Derby or Leicester and Wolves v Chelsea

FA Cup Third Round Preview

Just a quick look this time round as I’ve had some technical issues as well as a hacking cough for most of the last two weeks.

As I’ve been fond of repeating for the last few seasons, we’re lucky if half of the clubs in the Championship qualify for the fourth round and having not had a second tier winner for almost 40 years, there’s no point expecting one in 2016/17.

Championship v Premier League 

Considering that six of the eight ties in this category involve the Championship teams travelling to clubs in the Promised Land, I can’t see much hope for an early upset. Sheffield Wednesday visit Middlesbrough in what could be a very competitive game and the Midlands derby between West Brom and…errr…Derby should be worth keeping an eye on, but does anyone genuinely fancy Burton, Reading or Preston causing upsets?

All Championship

With only four guaranteed places in the next round, there’s a chance that whoever takes their opportunities now may stand a chance of reaching the last sixteen. For that reason, Birmingham v Newcastle is potentially the tie of the round in this category: on the other hand, neither Wigan nor Nottingham Forest will want to hang around in the FA Cup if they’re serious about avoiding the drop.

Championship v League One

In one of those quirks of fate that happens when the draw is made, all four of the ties in this category have the Championship clubs at home. I can’t see Brighton or Huddersfield having much trouble with MK Dons and Port Vale respectively, but there’s a possibility that Bristol City and Rotherham might find Fleetwood or Oxford too much to handle.

There’s only one game where a Championship club takes on one from League 2: Barnsley travel to Blackpool. On paper, both of the ties between sides from the Championship and non-league teams ought to be straightforward for both Brentford and Ipswich, although neither Eastleigh or Lincoln are mugs.

Televised games: Manchester United v Reading (BT Sport 1, 12:30pm tomorrow), Preston v Arsenal (BT Sport 1, 5:30pm tomorrow) and Spurs v Aston Villa (BBC 1, 4:00pm Sunday). The draw for the fourth round will be on Monday, I’ll probably update as the weekend progresses and I’ll be back next week.

Update: Leeds, Fulham, Brentford, Brighton, Huddersfield, Blackburn, Wolves, Derby and Wigan all won at the first time of asking over the weekend. Birmingham, Newcastle, Barnsley, Bristol City, Ipswich (against Lincoln!) and Norwich all face replays, so there are currently ten guaranteed places for Championship clubs in the fourth round.

So far the only confirmed fourth round ties involving Championship teams are:

Fulham v Hull, Chelsea v Brentford, Rochdale v Huddersfield, Derby v Leicester and Manchester United v Wigan. If Ipswich win at Lincoln in the replay, they’ll host Brighton in the next round and if Barnsley beat Blackpool in their replay they’ll travel to Blackburn.

I’ll be back on Thursday, in time for the Reading/QPR clash that evening.

FA Cup Third Round Draw

The draw was pretty harsh – only four guaranteed places in the fourth round, with eight teams drawn against Premier League opposition, six of whom will have to travel.

Championship v Premier League

Manchester United v Reading, Middlesbrough v Sheffield Wednesday, Norwich v Southampton, Preston v Arsenal, Stoke v Wolves, Spurs v Aston Villa, Watford v Burton, WBA v Derby

All Championship

Birmingham v Newcastle, Cardiff v Fulham, QPR v Blackburn, Wigan v Nottingham Forest

Championship v League 1

Brighton v Charlton or MK Dons, Huddersfield v Port Vale

Championship v League 2

Blackpool v Barnsley, Cambridge v Leeds

Championship v Non-League

Brenford v Eastleigh or Halifax, Ipwich v Lincoln

Championship v Teams Needing A Replay

Bristol City v Fleetwood/Shrewsbury, Rotherham v Macclesfield/Oxford

Back on Friday with the Market Reports.

FA Cup Special: Reading v Crystal Palace

Not one but two posts this weekend – we’ve reached a significant stage in the FA Cup as Reading are the last Championship side left in this season’s competition.

Arguably more significant is the rare opportunity to watch a Championship side on the BBC. The game is live on BBC1 with a 7:55 kickoff.

The Royals have been regular visitors to the latter stages of the FA Cup: over the last decade they’ve reached the Sixth Round on three occasions and the semi finals last season. In some respects, it shouldn’t be a surprise they’ve done it again, especially as this season’s side is on a par with last season in terms of performance in the Championship: something seems to spur the Royals to be more successful in the FA Cup more than the League.

In the 2016 edition, Reading have been lucky enough to have had three home ties, two of which were against Championship or League One opposition and as I mentioned last month, they had a decent enough record when hosting WBA anyway, let alone a Baggies side that had been taken to replays by both Bristol City and Peterborough in previous rounds. Tonight’s game is a more of a challenge: although he teams haven’t met each other in the FA Cup since 1952, Reading have only won four of their last ten home games against Crystal Palace: the last victory came in September 2010, although they’ve not lost at home to Palace since December 2009.

Palace haven’t exactly done well in the FA Cup recently: this is their best performance in the FA Cup since reaching the semi finals in 1995, when they lost to Manchester United in a replay in April and were relegated from the Premier League in May. The Eagles haven’t won any of their last 12 games in the Premier League – although they were really unlucky to lose to Liverpool last Sunday – but Palace have only lost twice to the sides below them in 2015/16 and that’s where the alarm bells should start ringing for Reading. I wrote ‘should’ because the Royals have only lost twice at home to sides above them in the Championship and this game could reflect that.

One thing seems pretty clear to me about this evening’s game: there could be a few goals. Nine of the last ten meetings between the teams in Berkshire have produced more than two goals, with six of those games featuring three or more. Palace caused one of the bigger surprises of this season’s FA Cup when they won at Spurs without conceding a goal and any team that can do that deserves to be respected.  That being said, tonight’s visitors have only kept one clean sheet in their last ten away games in the Premier League. Reading also have Matej Vydra up front: the Czech striker hasn’t been prolific as he has been in the past, but has scored more than twice as many goals in the FA Cup than he has in the Championship this season and could make a name for himself on a national stage this evening.

I think Reading’s best chance of reaching the semi finals has to be tonight. Palace have one eye of their collective shoulders at relegation – they’re nine points off the bottom three but are in a poor run of form – whilst the Royals are trading water in mid table in the Championship and have nothing else to play for this season.

The ‘normal’ preview will be up on Saturday morning before the game between Blackburn and Leeds,  but I’ll update this post as soon as this evening’s game finishes.

Update: Reading are out after losing 2-0. The goals came after Jake Cooper had been sent off for a second bookable offence.