FA Cup Fourth Round: Selected Matches Preview

Donny van de Beek

The FA Cup fourth round gets underway this weekend, and we take a look at the top sides in action, as well as two all-Premier League ties.

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Friday 4 February
Manchester United 7/20
Draw 4/1
Middlesbrough 7/1
(22:00)

Manchester United will be full of confidence heading into Friday’s FA Cup fourth round clash against Middlesbrough after beating high-flyers West Ham last time out. United have enjoyed a noticeable upturn in form under interim manager Ralf Rangnick and will look to take another giant stride towards Wembley. Middlesbrough, however, have been in fine form themselves, having won eight of their past 12 matches in all competitions under Chris Wilder, and will arrive hoping to cause an upset. It should be a close, entertaining affair, but United should have enough to progress.

Saturday 5 February

Chelsea 1/20
Draw 11/1
Plymouth Argyle 38/1
(14:30)
Chelsea will be overwhelming favourites to reach the last 16 when they welcome third division side Plymouth Argyle to Stamford Bridge. Thomas Tuchel’s side sit third in the Premier League table, whilst the Pilgrims are seventh in League One. The Blues might make tweaks to their team but with Timo Werner, Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz all attacking options it’s safe to say they’ll be very strong regardless. Back the Multiscores market – Chelsea to Win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 at 31/20.

Everton 11/10
Draw 49/20
Brentford 9/4
(17:00)

Everton take on Brentford in what will be Frank Lampard’s first match in charge since taking over from Rafa Benitez, and the former Chelsea boss is determined to start his tenure on a winning note. The Toffees could unleash their new signings Donny van de Beek and Dele Alli as they aim to secure their passage to the fifth round. After a brilliant start, Thomas Frank’s Brentford have struggled to maintain their early season form and come into this game having lost four in a row. The Bees will be hoping the arrival of Christian Eriksen will give them a bit of sting, but I’m backing Lampard’s team to take the victory at 11/10.

Wolves 13/20
Draw 28/10
Norwich 42/10
(17:00)
Wolves are at home to Norwich in another all-Premier League tie. Both clubs have experienced vastly contrasting seasons this term. Bruno Lage’s side are eighth in the league and have the second tightest defence with only league leaders Man City leaking fewer goals on 14. They come into the tie unbeaten in their last six matches with five wins and a draw against Chelsea. Meanwhile, the Canaries are languishing in 17th place and have both the worst attacking and defensive record in the league. Back Wolves on the Home to Win to Nil at 31/20.

Manchester City 1/7
Draw 15/2
Fulham 15/1
(17:00)

Runaway Premier League leaders Manchester City welcome Fulham to the Etihad Stadium. Since their shock 2-0 loss against Crystal Palace in late October, the Citizens have gone unbeaten in their last 14 games across domestic competitions. Fulham will command plenty of respect seeing as they sit top of the Championship table, but masterminding a victory over Pep Guardiola’s men may be a step too far for Marco Silva. A raft of expected changes from City may have the London side feeling optimistic about their prospects of a giant killing, but the Sky Blues have plenty of options for rotation and should have enough to emerge victorious. City to win and both teams to score might be the play. Get on at 29/20.

Tottenham 9/10
Draw 51/20
Brighton 29/10
(22:00)
Confidence will be sky high in the Brighton camp after beating Tottenham last time out. Graham Potter’s side will look to pull off another upset, while Antonio Conte will be looking to take Spurs a step closer to winning their first trophy for 14 years. The north London club tasted defeat in their last home game; a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in the Carabao Cup. But prior to that, they were unbeaten in four matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, winning three in a row before earning a draw with Liverpool. Spurs have bolstered their squad with the signings of Dejan Kulusevski and Rodrigo Bentancur from Juventus and will be confident of exacting revenge. I’m tipping them to edge what should be a very close contest.

Sunday 6 February

Liverpool 1/6
Draw 6/1
Cardiff City 15/1
(13:00)
Liverpool should get past Championship strugglers Cardiff City with minimal difficulty. Jurgen Klopp will most likely field a second-string side, although Reds fans could get a first glance of Colombian winger Luis Diaz, who arrived from Portuguese side FC Porto. The Merseysiders come into this one riding a three-match winning streak, including a 3-0 home win over Brentford last time out. The Bluebirds, meanwhile, are winless in their previous four away matches and were beaten 3-2 on their last trip to Bristol City. Liverpool should comfortably put Cardiff to the sword. Back them on the Half-Time Full-Time Double at 5/10.


MULTIPLE @ 127/1
Manchester United Win 7/20
Chelsea Win 4-0, 5-0 or 6-0 31/20
Everton Win 11/10
Wolves – Home Win To Nil 31/20
Man City Win & BTTS 29/20
Tottenham Win 9/10
Liverpool/Liverpool HT-FT 5/10
Written by Chad N