FA Cup 4th Round Predictions

FRIDAY:

MAN UNITED V LEICESTER

Man United didn't play a recognised striker against Crystal Palace with Kobbie Mainoo being used as a makeshift centre forward. This backfired badly as they were beaten by the side with the recognised striker who scored twice in Jean-Philippe Mateta.

Some people were surprised that they didn't sign a central striker in January, but I wasn't because I wasn't expecting them to make any signings. But looking back, they really should've got someone in because of where they are in the league and the problems they've had in front of goal this season.

Ruud Van Nistelrooy got the Leicester job off the back of an impressive four game spell with United, where he won all but one of his four games in charge.

His record at Leicester has been far from good since he took over from Steve Cooper - winning just three games so far.

I think he should've been given the United job instead of Amorim as the players were playing in a system that suits them, and putting in some decent performances, something we have seen very little of from them under Amorim.

This game represents a chance for both team to really kickstart their seasons and instil some much needed confidence and consistency. Especially Leicester because they're near the bottom of the Premier League.

United haven't performed enough against the so called lesser teams in the Premier League, but I think they'll put in a rare good performance here and win the game without too many problems.

PREDICTION: 3-1

LEYTON ORIENT V MAN CITY

Leyton Orient had a nightmare start to the season in League 1, but since then they've risen up the table and are now in the play off spots.

Richie Wellens' side will be looking forward to this game because of the team they're facing, and the fact that it's been a long time since they last faced a Premier League side in this competition.

Man City capitulated in the second half against Arsenal right after Erling Haaland scored the equaliser to make it 1-1. That defeat showed that they're still a long way off their best.

They were the biggest spenders in January with the players they brought in and their latest one in Nico Gonzalez could make his debut in this game.

Their midfield has been their biggest issue this season alongside their defence, and the signing of Gonzalez will hopefully fill the gap that has been left since Rodri's injury.

Pep Guardiola's side will make a lot of changes for this game with it being a cup tie, but I still think he'll field a number of his regulars because he usually fields strong teams in the cup competitions.

Whether he does or not, this should still be a comfortable win for City.

PREDICTION: 0-4

COVENTRY V IPSWICH

Coventry reached the semi finals of this competition last season and were very unlucky not to be in the final. They would've been had that controversial winner in extra time not been disallowed by VAR.

Frank Lampard has done a decent job since taking over from Mark Robins as he's taken them from lower mid-table to within touching distance of the play offs in the Championship.

The fans will be hoping that he'll take them on another cup run this season, and if he does it could bolster their play off bid.

Ipswich will probably be facing Coventry next season as things stand in the Premier League, but a run in this competition could change that.

Their away record has been better than their home record in the Premier League this season, and this could give them the edge in this cup tie.

But Coventry have been in decent form at home since Lampard took over and I can see his side causing an upset here because of that and the form they've been in.

PREDICTION: 2-1

EVERTON V BOURNEMOUTH

David Moyes has made a strong start to his second stint as Everton boss and he'll no doubt want to take the Toffees far in this competition.

They're pretty much good as safe in the Premier League and with the club unlikely to get dragged back into that relegation battle, they should really think about taking this competition seriously.

Bournemouth will also want to go far in this competition as they'll want to end that long wait for a major trophy.

They're having an incredible season in the Premier League and Andoni Iraola's side would to have a trophy or at least a cup run alongside that.

They did the double over Everton in the Premier League and their overall record against them is genuinly pretty good. I think they'll keep it up with another win against them here.

PREDICTION: 0-2

SOUTHAMPTON V BURNLEY

Southampton got their first league win under Ivan Juric against Ipswich last weekend, and they have the opportunity to give their confidence another boost in this one.

They still look doomed in the Premier League, despite their win last weekend, and run in the cup is the only thing they realistically have left to play for this season.

Burnley have the the best defensive record in Europe this season - conceding just 9 goals and keeping 21 clean sheets.

Their football might not have been the prettiest to watch this season, but it's been effective and has got them results.

I'm not expecting there to be many goals in this game because both sides don't score many. But I do think Burnley will keep yet another clean sheet and nick a plucky winner at the end.

PREDICTION: 0-1

WIGAN V FULHAM

It's been just over a decade since Wigan won the FA Cup and the club and plummeted ever since, despite the three promotions they've had.

They're languishing in mid-table in League 1 in a season where they were expected to kick on after starting last season with a points deduction.

Hopefully they'll be back in the Championship soon as that is where a club of their stature should be at the very least.

Fulham have never won the FA Cup unlike Wigan and Marco Silva will want to take his side far in this competition.

They're having a solid season at best in the Premier League and with a decent squad at their disposal, they can definitely go far in this competition.

Marco Silva's side will probably make a lot of changes for this cup tie as he'll want to give some of the fringe players a chance.

But his side should still have more than enough to avoid a cup upset.

PREDICTION: 0-3

BIRMINGHAM V NEWCASTLE

Birmingham have endured some tough times on and off the pitch over the last decade. but this season things have been much better as they're top of League 1.

This season has given them the chance to start again and bring in some stability after years of instability behind the scenes and decline.

Newcastle are already in one cup final after booking their place in the Carabao Cup final in midweek with their semi final win over Arsenal.

But Eddie Howe will want to take his side far in this competition as well in an attempt to finally end that long wait for a trophy.

The Magpies will probably make changes for this game and Eddie Howe will want keep certain players fresh for their top four bid in the Premier League.

But he'll still field some of his regular though and no matter how many changes he makes, his side should still see themselves through to the next round here.

PREDICTION: 1-3

BRIGHTON V CHELSEA

Brighton come into his game off the back of getting hammered 7-0 by Nottingham Forest last weekend in the Premier League.

Fabian Hurzeler will no doubt need his side to respond here even though it won't be easy due to the quality of side they're facing in Chelsea.

Chelsea have been a bit inconsistent since Christmas in terms of their results - winning just three times since including their win over Morecambe in the last round.

Enzo Maresca will probably make a number of changes for this game as he'll want to give the fringe players an opportunity.

But he should still field a strong enough side as his team are facing Premier League opposition, and this competition is one they should be looking to have a good crack at.

Whether he makes loads of changes or not, the blues should still win this one and comfortably because of the depth they have.

PREDICTION: 1-3

SUNDAY:

BLACKBURN V WOLVES

Blackburn are doing a lot better than a lot of people thought they would at the start of the season as they have the Championship play offs in their sights.

One thing that makes their season more impressive is the fact that they lost their top scorer from last season in Sammie Szmodics in the summer.

Wolves got a much needed win last weekend against Aston Villa and a win in this cup tie will give them more confidence to take into their battle to avoid relegation.

Vitor Pereira will want to take his side on a cup run this season so they can use it as a confidence builder in their battle to avoid relegation.

Blackburn will look to give Wolves a good game here like Bristol City did towards the end in the last round.

But I think Wolves will have enough quality to see themselves through.

PREDICTION: 1-2

PLYMOUTH V LIVERPOOL

Plymouth caused the shock of the round when they beat Brentford in the last round and they have the chance here to cause any even bigger one.

Argyle are still bottom of the Championship, but they did get their first win under Miron Muslic last weekend against West Brom which will give them some much needed confidence.

Liverpool will probably rest players for this one due to the amount of games they have coming up in a short space of time, including the Merseyside Derby on Wednesday.

They were excellent all over the pitch against Spurs last night in the Carabao Cup and especially in the second half where their energy levels were incredible.

Whether they make changes here or nor, and I think they will, they should still win this one without too many problems.

PREDICTION: 0-3

ASTON VILLA V TOTTENHAM

Aston Villa were arguably the winners of the January transfer window with the players they brought in, who will both improve their team and bolster their squad depth.

Marco Asensio will bring a lot of quality to the team, and Marcus Rashford will be looking to kickstart his career and I think he can as he's playing under a good manager, and in a better team than his previous one. Both could make their debuts in this one.

This is a massive game for both Spurs and their manager Ange Postecoglou as this competition is the only thing they have left to play for, despite still being in the Europa League.

They went out of the Carabao Cup to Liverpool last night where they failed to register a shot on target. They barely lay a glove on them all game in all fairness.

Postecoglou said earlier in the season that he usually wins things in his second season and if his side lose this one, that could be it for him as Spurs boss.

I think it will be because I'm backing to Villa to see themselves through here.

They might be without Ollie Watkins due to injury, but I think they'll find goals from other areas as they have players from other positions who can chip in.

PREDICTION: 2-1

MONDAY:

DONCASTER V CRYSTAL PALACE

Doncaster are the lowest ranked side left in the competition and it makes this tie arguably the biggest shock of the round if it was to happen.

Grant McCann's side have promotion to League 1 in their sights this season with the club currently 2nd in League 2, and a potential shock from them here would aid their promotion push.

Crystal Palace don't have much to play for in the Premier League as they're not in a relegation battle and are unlikely to push for the top 10.

They should look to go far in this competition because of them having nothing to play for in the league, and they're definitely capable of doing so.

Oliver Glasner will probably make a lot of changes for this game even though I don't think he should because of the Eagles having nothing to play for in the league.

Whether he does or not, Palace should have more than enough to win this game whether they play well or not.

PREDICTION: 0-2

TUESDAY:

EXETER V NOTTINGHAM FOREST

Exeter are on a dreadful run of form in League 1 after losing 5 of their last 7 games in the league.

They did beat Championship Oxford in the middle of that though, but it did nothing to improve their form.

Nottingham Forest put in one incredible response against Brighton last weekend which will give them a lot of confidence heading into this cup tie.

Nuno will probably make changes for this game as he'll want to keep certain players fresh for the league in their bid for Champions League football next season.

But he might still play a few of his so-called regulars as he'll want to take his side far into this competition.

I have a feeling he will and if he does, I can only see this being a one-sided affair because of the form they're in compared to Exeter.

PREDICTION: 0-4