FA Cup Quarter Final Predictions

SATURDAY:

MAN CITY V LIVERPOOL

Man City were outstanding in their Carabao Cup final win over Arsenal and especially in the second half which they dominated throughout.

Winning that competition could prove to be a turning point in their season as it will motivate them to more trophies including the FA Cup.

They did the double over Liverpool in the Premier League this season including a comfortable 3-0 win in this fixture back in November and they could win this one by a similar score line.

Liverpool were poor against Brighton before the international break in a game I thought they would win after the performance they put in against Galatasaray the game before.

Mo Salah announced that he was leaving the club at the end of the season during the international break and he'll no doubt want to go out on a high by winning a trophy whether it be the FA Cup or the Champions League.

Him leaving is arguably what is best for the club because he's a shadow of his former self and I think the reds have been planning for life without him with the signings they made in the summer.

I know I mentioned that he'll want to go out on a high, but I just don't see it as I think City will beat them rather comfortably here.

PREDICTION: 3-0

CHELSEA V PORT VALE

Chelsea went into the international break off the back of a four game losing streak in all competitions with their last win coming against Wrexham in the 5th Round.

Questions have been asked surrounding Liam Rosenior's future which I find unfair as he hasn't been in the job long and is in the middle of his first bad spell since taking over.

His reign got off to a reasonably good start and a win in this cup tie could help kickstart it following his side's recent dip in form.

Port Vale caused one big shock when they knocked out Sunderland in the 5th Round and they did so by by getting men behind the ball and being tough to beat.

They'll need to repeat that performance in this one if they're to cause an upset because Chelsea are a better team than Sunderland on paper.

The blues will probably makes changes because of this being a cup tie but I do think they'll field a stronger team than Sunderland did in the last round.

Because of this I think they'll put in a better performance than Sunderland did and win the game without too many problems.

PREDICTION: 3-0

SOUTHAMPTON V ARSENAL

Southampton have been in very good form since the turn of the year and their brilliant form has taken them into the Championship play off places.

Tonda Eckert's side knocked out a Premier League side in the last round in Fulham courtesy of Ross Stewart's late penalty and that along with their recent form will give them a great deal of confidence heading into this one.

Arsenal were disappointing in the Carabao Cup final and especially in the second half because they didn't really show up.

The international break came at the right time for them as it will have allowed them to get the cup final defeat out of their system.

The result will still hurt them but I don't see it affecting them too much because they've responded well to setbacks this season.

Mikel Arteta's side do however come into this game with a lot of injuries and to key players as well with Rice, Saka, Gabriel and Saliba all doubts.

They all dropped out of international duty during the international break so they could focus on their recoveries. But whether any of them will be involved remains to be seen.

Southampton will be looking to make the most of this because they'll believe that they have a chance of causing another upset.

But despite the amount of injuries Arsenal have, I still think they'll come out on top as I can see them finding a way to win the game and other players stepping up for them.

PREDICTION: 1-2

SUNDAY:

WEST HAM V LEEDS

Both sides are battling to avoid relegation in the Premier League and a win for either of them could give them the confidence and momentum to help them stay up.

The FA Cup has been more of a positive for West Ham than it has been for Leeds as their results and performances have improved a lot since they entered the competition.

One or two new signings in January also helped but their run in the FA Cup has given them a lot of confidence and belief that they can stay up.

Leeds were on course for safety when they entered the competition but have won just once in the league since beating Derby in the 3rd Round.

I think both teams will play strong teams here because it's a must win game for both not just because they want to progress in the cup, but because it could boost their respective chances of staying up.

Because Leeds have struggled on the road this season, I'm backing the Hammers to see themselves through because they're in better form and are the stronger team on paper.

PREDICTION: 2-1