Before each round of the FA Cup, I’ll be posting my thoughts on a selection of games for the forthcoming round. Feel free to add your own previews, thoughts, predictions and reviews of the games over the course of the weekend.
Birmingham v Newcastle
A very interesting tie here one which I could see going either way. Birmingham are flying high at the top of the championship, and can be very dangerous at home. Newcastle will obviously be confident after holding Manchester United earlier on this week. However I think this one will go to a replay.
Phantoms Prediction: 2-2
Chelsea v Macclesfield
It would have been a tad more interesting if the multi millionaires of Chelski were drawn to play this match away. We’ve seen Manchester United struggle against the likes of Exeter and Burton in recent seasons, and Macclesfield could have got a big pay day for two matches against the premiership champions. But alas a second string Chelsea side will walk this one.
Phantoms Prediction:4-0
Liverpool v Arsenal
Things are looking up for Arsenal. Henry is back, and Van Persie has been on fire. Liverpool haven’t been playing badly either. After Kuyt and Crouch’s performance against Bolton on Monday I fully expect them to start up front. If they can perform as well as they did that day, then it’ll be bad news for the Gunners. It’ll be a tight match, but I think home advantage will help the holders shade it.
Phantoms Prediction: 2-1
Tamworth v Norwich
Norwich haven’t had a good run in the cup for quite a while. They haven’t made it past the 3rd round for 3 years. Tamworth will be well up for this one. A packed house, the BBC Cameras there, they’ll be out to do some giant killing. However as is the case these days, giant killing as a rare occurrence, and I fully expect the canaries to fly into the next round (oh dear… that was bad!)
Phantoms Prediction: 0-2
West Ham v Brighton
Well a lot has happened since that fantastic FA Cup final last May, when West Ham were unlucky not to lift the trophy. Apart from their victory over Manchester United, the hammers have been awful. Curbishley has a lot of hard work ahead of him if he’s to steer West Ham away from relegation in the Premiership. I can see Brighton adding to Curbs’ misery by dumping them out of the cup. There’ll be no final this year for the Hammers.
Phantoms Prediction: 0-1
Cardiff v Tottenham
If you’d have asked me a month ago to pick the winner, I’d have said Cardiff. But lately they’ve been off the boil. City are without a win in the last 10 games, and scoring goals has been a huge problem. The Cardiff crowd will undoubtedly try and raise the teams spirits, with their passionate support… just like they did against Leeds a few years ago. However Spurs should overpower the Bluebirds, and heap more pressure on Dave Jones and his boys.
Phantoms Prediction: 1-3
Man Utd v Aston Villa
In recent seasons Manchester United have been drawn against lower league opposition, and through fielding weakened sides they have struggled. I expect to see a few changes from Sir Alex, but none too drastic. It’ll be nice to finally see Henrik Larsson pull on the red shirt as he begins his 10 week loan period. Villa did well last week, holding the Champions to a 0-0 draw, but I think it’s a lot to ask of them to do the same at Old Trafford. Villa will be lucky to come away with a draw, but I see the Red Devils getting the better of a well organised Villa.
Phantoms Prediction: 2-1
Agree? Disagree? I wanna hear what you guys think?
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