MAGIC OF THE FA CUP It is cup weekend again in England, and personally I am excited for what we have in store. We have some excellent fixtures in hand and I have a feeling we will have an upset or two this weekend. That is the joy of cup football, one slip up and you are out!
DERBY TO SPRING A SURPRISE
Derby have not been on great form lately. They have been dropping a lot of points in the Championship over their past few games, so many may seem them as no hopers coming up against the mighty Manchester united. One thing, this isn’t the mighty Manchester United anymore! Van Gaal’s team does not steam roll over lower league teams the way that United of old did.
If there is one game that Derby County will be up for it is a home game against Man United. This fixture should breathe some life back into this team and its fans. I expect Pride Park Stadium to be absolutely rocking tonight! Derby must believe they have a shot of winning this game in their own back garden against a United team that are extremely beatable under their current management.
Man United’s main issue this season, and under Van Gaal in general is their lack of creativity. They just don’t create many chances in their current system, meaning you are depending on your Rooney or Martial to stick away maybe the only chance they will get in a game. To me, each week has felt like it would be Van Gaal’s last. Defeat this weekend and I think his time in Old Trafford could really be up. Not many clubs would allow their team to play the way it has and not change anything, never mind one of the top clubs in the world. I am shocked that United have made no moves this January, it just shows the lack of faith they have in Van Gaal that they don’t seem to be giving him any more funding.
I see this being the upset of the weekend. Derby are a better side than they have showed in the past few weeks, and should not be overly afraid of this United side. It is not the kind of game where you would expect the Derby keeper to win man of the match with a string of saves. United scraped through the last round against lower league opposition and really are struggling to create. I see Derby being really up for having a crack in this one, but they won’t throw everything at United either. Because of this, I wont go as far as backing Derby. Prediction – Lay Man United
SECOND CUP WIN THIS WEEK FOR KLOPP
This is an interesting one for me. Two good sides, both have seen there ups and downs this weekend, but when they are on form they are very entertaining to watch. Looking at past results I was slightly shocked by the amount of goals in their encounters. It is rarely a dull affair in this one, and I expect this weekend to be no different. Neither team have any reason to not go for it.
I think Liverpool have the edge being at home. I also think they have a deep enough squad that they can rest a couple of guys and still put out a very strong team. There is some good young talent in this Liverpool squad, we have seen that even from their Ca[ital One Cup run. I think the Klopp pressing style will work wonders against West Ham. Not giving a player like Payet time on the ball has to be a good tactic, right?
If you were to watch how Stoke approached the game during the week, it would be the prototype for how you should play against Liverpool, but when they are on form, I can’t see teams being able to play this way against them. Klopp’s side will be on a high from midweek, and many times that would lead you to believe that they are due a come down at the weekend, but I think it will be different this weekend.
I think there will be less up and dopwn for Klopp’s side for the rest of the season, he is beginning to get some players back and we have seen through these injuries that there is a strong squad in place here. There has been a lot of guys who have come in and done a good job as a stopgap for injured players. To me, that is a sign of a good system being in place.
West Ham have had an excellent season thus far, are challenging for Champions League football, and have Payet back and in brilliant form, but I think the home advantage after the excellent result during the week will tip this one in Liverpool’s favour. Prediction – Back Liverpool
BOURNEMOUTH TOO STRONG
I really fancy Bournemouth this weekend against Portsmouth, especially given the price you can get them at (around 2.18). This team has silenced many doubters from earlier in the season. I will be one to admit I went against them a couple of times earlier in the year and they came out with some excellent performances. I also backed them in a couple of big games and they came through. That is why I like them in this one.
This is a big game for Bournemouth. Every game is big to them, or at least they treat every game that way. They always go for the win. You have to admire that about this team. They have kept playing their style of football and they have been rewarded. Sure, they are still engulfed in a battle in the Premier League, but considering their budget they have been doing excellently.
Eddie Howe has built a strong side from players who all made their names in the lower domestic leagues. They have had to endure more injuries than most Premier League teams, and on a shoestring budget. No matter who comes in, they keep to the ethos of the team. They rarely miss a gear no matter who is in the team. Because of this I think they have a clear edge against Portsmouth.
Portsmouth have invested a good amount into the club recently, signing some good players like Roberts from Chesterfield. I am really happy for the club considering where it has come from. But I think this is too much of a step up for them. I can’t see Bournemouth being caught by surprise, they approach every game with an excellent attitude and I don’t see why this one would be any different. There is goals in this Bournemouth side, too many for Portsmouth to be able to answer, so I see this one going to the away side. Prediction – Back Bournemouth
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