Premier League & FA Cup QF preview

Premier League & FA Cup QF preview NEWS

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There are some fantastic games in store this weekend with the FA Cup reaching the quarter-final stage and some vitally important Premier League games coming up.

Sport, football, FA Cup, Premier League, Champions League, Man Utd, Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs, Man City, Alex Ferguson, Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, Gareth Bale, Ronaldo, Real Madrid, Rafa Benitez, Oscar,

No sooner is the League Cup settled (well done again Swansea) than the FA Cup starts to get really interesting with the quarter-finals being played this weekend. Although five of the teams remaining are Premier League outfits, there is still the certainty of a Championship side reaching the semi-finals with Millwall hosting Blackburn on Sunday.

The Man Utd v Chelsea game is the pick of the quarter-finals, although each game looks interesting for a variety of reasons. Everton v Wigan could be a game with a few goals and Barnsley's trip to the Etihad may offer us the opportunity of a good old-fashioned Cup shock. The last quarter-final is likely to be a more tense affair with the enticing prospect of an FA Cup semi-final awaiting the winner.

Its probably fair to assume that the eventual winners will be one of Man Utd, Chelsea or Man City but, as Bradford shows, these things are not set in stone. The presence of either Everton or Wigan in the semi-finals is also a tonic and a relief from the constant success of the top four.

In truth the FA Cup probably represents the best chance for Man City and Chelsea to win a trophy this season, whilst for Utd it has become more of a focus after their unfortunate Champions League exit at the hands of Real Madrid.

Utd have maintained their 12 point lead at the top of the Premier League thanks to last week's eventual 4-0 win over Norwich, courtesy of Shinji Kagawa's well taken hat trick, and City's more problematic 1-0 win at Villa Park. Utd took a long time to break down Norwich, and the score line perhaps flattered them.

Looking at Utd's Champions League defeat they were really unlucky. Manager Alex Ferguson got his tactics and team selection just about right, proving wrong the critics of him starting Wayne Rooney on the bench. They had much the better of the chances before they eventually took the lead due to a Sergio Ramos own goal and Rafael was sent off with one of the worst refereeing decisions I've seen for some time.

Even after Real took a 2-1 lead against the 10 remaining players, Utd still created some good chances with all of Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic going close to scoring. In his post match press conference Madrid coach Jose Mourinho was honest enough to admit that his team were not the better side and the non-celebration of Ronaldo following his goal reflects well on both of them and their club - they were, for last night at least, real class.

City found Aston Villa a much tougher proposition than they perhaps would have expected but with survival very much an issue for Villa their performance shouldn't really have been that surprising.

Gareth Bale continued his fabulous recent scoring run against Arsenal as Spurs retained third place ahead of Chelsea who narrowly edged West Brom 1-0, although the final score would have been a more accurate reflection of their superiority had Oscar managed to convert any of the hat-trick of chances that came his way.

Everton kept up the pressure on those teams above them with a comfortable 3-1 win over Reading who must be really starting to worry, with QPR managing a vital 2-1 away win at Southampton. The Saints were much the better team and they gifted Rangers the win, not that Harry Redknapp will care, its the points the count.

QPR are still at the bottom but those precious three points mean they're now only three behind Reading and four behind Villa and Wigan who were thrashed at home by a Luis Suarez inspired Liverpool, with Southampton a further three points ahead. Its certainly game on at the bottom end of the table and its all still to play for.

BritEvents has previews of all the FA Cup and Premier League games this weekend: -

Saturday 9 March

FA Cup QF

Everton v Wigan - 12.45pm ko at Goodison Park. On paper and if this were a league game Everton would be judged to have the upper hand. With this being an FA Cup match however, it has an air of a one off and for that reason Wigan should not be discounted, even if they were dismantled by Liverpool in their last match. In the context of the every day Everton are gunning for a place in Europe, Wigan are desperately trying to retain their top flight status but, in this game, its about the glory of the Cup and a semi-final place to be won. For Everton the return of Marouane Fellaini last week was a massive boost and he was their best player. If Wigan are to win here, and the odds are most definitely against that happening, they'll need to shackle the afro'd one. I can't see that happening and Everton will reach their second consecutive FA Cup semi-final.

Man City v Barnsley - 5.30pm ko at the Etihad. Not quite David v Goliath as Barnsley may be unfancied but they're still only a division below the Premier League aristocrats of Man City. For now at least, as they do currently sit in the Championship relegation zone, meaning that whilst a fantastic Cup run is a great tonic for the team and town, their real priority is staying in England's second tier. City are very good at despatching lower league sides and whichever way you dress up this game they really should win at a canter. However, lets not forget plucky Bradford and their memorable League Cup run, something that may serve to inspire the Tykes. I think the game will be close in the opening exchanges before the gulf in class becomes evident and City pull clear.

Premier League

Norwich v Southampton - 3pm ko at Carrow Road. Norwich competed well at Old Trafford last week and the 4-0 score line was not a fair reflection of how well they played. Manager Chris Hughton will hope for a similar performance against the Saints who pretty much gave the game away against QPR last week, losing 2-1. Southampton have one of the worst away records in the league and Norwich, despite their results in the last couple of months, are quite a decent team at home. As Norwich are not quite detached from the danger zone there will be no complacency on display and they'll be as keen as Southampton to win. The Canaries by the odd goal.

QPR v Sunderland - 3pm ko at Loftus Road. Was the fortunate 2-1 win at Southampton a turning point for Harry Redknapp's men? Whilst that remains to be seen they've certainly improved their chances of avoiding relegation with all four teams immediately above them losing last week. Redknapp will also view this game as eminently winnable with Sunderland only having won three times away from home all season. The return of Loic Remy and his eye for goal was key for Rangers last week and his continued fitness will be vital for the remainder of the season. Sunderland did well to come from 2-0 down to earn a deserved draw at home to Fulham but Martin O'Neill will want his team to start better and not makes things so difficult for themselves. Despite both teams being desperate for all three points I fear they'll have to share the spoils with a score draw.

Reading v Aston Villa - 3pm ko at the Madejski Stadium. The six-pointers are coming thick and fast now as the climax of the season approaches. Both of these teams tasted defeat last week but in contrasting styles. Reading were well beaten at Everton but Villa scrapped really hard at home versus Man City and only lost 1-0 to a Carlos Tevez goal that was partly self-inflicted, a performance that gives them hope going forward. Reading are a much better prospect at home although they did lose to Wigan in their last league game at the Madejski, so Villa have another reason to hope that they may get something from this game. I fancy Villa to nab at least a point, but feel they'll actually nick a win.

West Brom v Swansea - 3pm ko at the Hawthorns. Swansea avoided a Cup final hangover to beat Newcastle last week and reinforce the impression that they are the real deal. West Brom put up a good fight at Chelsea but weren't quite good enough to take anything away from Stamford Bridge. This looks like a fairly even match-up, especially with Albion's top scorer Romelu Lukaku available again after having to miss the game against his host club. They are both on 40 points, the mythical safe total, so they should be able to approach the game in a relaxed, nerveless manner which bodes well for fans anxious for flowing, attractive football. West Brom are very handy at the Hawthorns, so I'm picking them to ever so slightly prick the Swansea bubble with a narrow win.

Sunday 10 March

FA Cup QF

Millwall v Blackburn - 2pm ko at the Den. How do you call this game? Looking at league form the two are fairly evenly matched, having won just two games apiece in their last 10 league outings, but it has to be acknowledged that Blackburn have the edge in terms of the quality of their squad, only being a year removed from the Premier League. Millwall lost to lowly Wolves on Tuesday night, but that may have been a sign of them looking ahead to this game, whilst Blackburn lost the local derby with Bolton 1-0. with both a long shot to make the playoffs, never mind automatic promotion, but relatively safe from relegation, the Cup is their main focus. I think the game will be nervy and tense, perhaps lacking somewhat in quality, but making up for that in drama. Millwall famously reached the FA Cup final in 2004 and qualified for the UEFA Cup, courtesy of Man Utd already being in the Champions League, so they have a recent Cup pedigree. I can see them beating Rovers and contesting another semi-final.

Man Utd v Chelsea - 4.30pm ko at Old Trafford. Definite game of the week with both teams desperate for a win. Home team Utd will be furious at the manner of their Champions League exit and probably in the mood to take that out on someone. Chelsea, eliminated at the group stage of that competition, and well out of contention in the league, need to win here to give themselves a chance of winning a trophy this season. If Chelsea are on song they are capable of giving Utd a game - unfortunately, for much of the season they've been out of tune, not helped by the instability their owner inflicts upon them. I fancy Utd to roar back after this week's disappointment, but they'll need to beware the Blues talented inter-changing attacking midfielders. Utd to win by the odd goal.

Premier League

Newcastle v Stoke - 3pm ko at St. James' Park. As near as they are to the bottom three Newcastle were disappointed not to have at least earned a draw at Swansea last week and, on the balance of play, they probably deserved a point. Stoke probably feel equally aggrieved at losing at home to West Ham, who played the Potters at their own game, at their own stadium and won. It was quite an irony to hear Stoke manager Tony Pullis complain about Andy Carroll pulling down Ryan Shawcross, that master of the defender's dark arts at corners and free kicks. Swings and roundabouts, live by the sword, etc - whichever clich suits you, the bottom line is, he gets away with it every week, so it stands to reason so will someone else. Newcastle will present a different, more ground-based obstacle and, in my opinion, they'll be able to out-pass Stoke to win.

Liverpool v Spurs - 4pm ko at Anfield. The Premier League game of the week for certain and one in which Spurs travel to Liverpool eager to extend the fabulous run that has seen them take pole position in the race for third place and an automatic place in the Champions League group stages. In fact Spurs are now only five points behind second placed Man City so who knows where they may finish. Gareth Bale was not quite so dominant against Arsenal last week but he still managed to find the net and he will the main danger for a Liverpool team still striving to qualify for Europe next season themselves. Liverpool's own superstar, Luis Suarez was on fire at Wigan and his hat trick in that game propelled him to the top of the league scoring chart with 21 so far this season. The newly acquired Coutinho showed glimpses of the quality that persuaded Brendan Rodgers to bring him to Anfield and he looks to be a real gem for the future - his passing was so slick and accurate in tight spaces. Head and form says Spurs, heart says Liverpool. Heart wins - so do the Reds.