Having been away for a bit, I haven’t posted anything for a few days. What better way to get back in than the bloody FA Cup eh? Feel free to comment on any of the predictions I make, or offer predictions of your own, and look-out for an article on my visit to the Olympic Stadium in Berlin coming soon.
Last week’s score: 6
FA Cup fifth-round
Saturday February 18, 2012
Chelsea 2 – 0 Birmingham City (12:30)
Chelsea have been absolutely atrocious this season and their fans have every reason to be worried. Birmingham however have had a great year as Chris Hughton has further enhanced his good reputation. Priority may be important in this tie. Although they are still in the Champions League, the FA Cup is Chelsea’s only realistic chance of silverware for me and so I expect a decent showing. Birmingham however find themselves just two points off third place in the Championship with a game in hand, so are unlikely to favour another cup run after their own European adventure. Poor quality game I imagine, Chelsea to do enough.
Everton 2 – 0 Blackpool (15:00)
Everton have been fantastic in recent weeks and that is mainly down to the return of Steven Pienaar and Landon Donovan. The American plays his last game before heading back to the USA and so I expect another great performance. Cup-tied Pienaar’s absence will be a loss, but I expect Everton to perform well regardless. Blackpool have been great recently, and as an admirer of their side, particularly of Matt Phillips, I am glad to see them back up there. They will give a good account of themselves but a Johnny Heitinga-spearheaded Everton defence will keep them at bay.
Millwall 2 – 1 Bolton Wanderers (15:00)
I do not rate either of these sides at the moment and I expect a particularly dull game. Two consecutive defeats has somewhat derailed Bolton’s recent revival and an awkward trip to The Den is not exactly ideal for getting back on track. Millwall have been poor of late but despite that I anticipate a typically committed performance from them. They will just about deserve the win and I fancy them to nick it with a late goal.
Norwich City 3-0 Leicester City (15:00)
This game will be a real indication of how far Norwich have come. I expect them to hammer Leicester from start to finish and they will not be flattered by this scoreline at all. Leicester have been inconsistently impressive but more consistently abject and they look devoid of the sort of spirit which is the lifeblood of Paul Lambert’s side. Norwich play some great football, their players are tremendously committed, and the Carrow Road crowd is one of the best in the league. An easy 3-0.
Sunderland 2- 1 Arsenal (17:15)
Sunderland get an immediate chance to avenge Thierry Henry’s late winner at the Stadium of Light last week, but this time they face an Arsenal side sapped of all confidence having been crushed 4-0 on Wednesday by AC Milan. Arsenal’s performance was an embarrassment that night and given Martin O’Neill’s well-reported man-management skills, I see Sunderland taking full advantage of that. If Sunderland get an early goal, there will be only one winner for me.
Sunday February 18, 2012
Crawley 1 – 2 Stoke City (12:00)
Despite Stoke’s mid-week defeat to Valencia, I anticipate Tony Pulis’ men being up for this one – not least because it was a home tie. Crawley will naturally will have a spring in their step, not just because the quarter-finals beckon but also because they are a buoyant, confident side these days. They will challenge Stoke all over the park, but Pulis will have prepared his team for this. Stoke can match anyone for work-rate on their day and will have sufficient quality in the final third to claim the victory.
Stevenage 0 – 3 Tottenham (14:00)
Tottenham are the best team to watch in the Premier League. Most people say Manchester City, but I have watched too many boring games of theirs to agree. Harry Redknnapp’s teams have always been great viewing and with the endless stream of talent at White Hart Lane, Tottenham have done their manager’s talent justice. Aside from ability, Spurs’ attitude is first-rate, they take no game lightly. Stevenage had a great win in mid-week away at Sheffield Wednesday and will prepare for the game confidently. Unfortunately for them, Spurs are just too good, simple as that.
Liverpool 3 – 1 Brighton (16:30)
After a week in which Liverpool and its staff have rightly been ridiculed, Kenny Dalglish and star striker Luis Suarez will be glad to get away from the media furore their mutually moronic behaviour caused. All that being said, Suarez is a great player and will undoubtedly score in this game. The apologies may serve to clear the air for Liverpool which could lead to the team playing with less pressure at home. If so, expect Liverpool to dominate the game over a thoroughly decent Brighton side who defeated Newcastle in the last round.
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