Just when you think you’ve caught your breath after the festive football action the FA Cup third round is upon us. January is a month of moderation for most, but the football calendar just keeps giving and we have some cracking fixtures to help lift some of the post-Christmas gloom.
Brighton and Newcastle get the proceedings underway at Falmer Stadium and the Championship side will no doubt fancy their chances. Alan Pardew has endured a really tough start to the campaign as injuries and results have not gone his way. Everton beat them on Wednesday night to make it three straight defeats in which they have shipped 13 goals.
Gus Poyet’s lot didn’t enjoy the best of festive seasons, yet they started 2013 with an impressive 3-0 win at Ipswich. Craig Mackail-Smith was back amongst the goals and he will be key against a fragile Magpies back four. The Championship outfit are good value to add to Pardew’s woes.
Saturday’s late kick-off is at Upton Park where Manchester United take on West Ham. Both clubs started the New Year with victories, but I fancy both managers to make a number of changes to their respective starting line-ups.
Sam Allardyce is missing a number of key players and has already signed Joe Cole to boost his squad. Even with some changes there’s a big gulf in class between the sides and I don’t see any problems for United. Successive clean sheets suggest they are finally getting it right at the back and that’s a worry for the rest of the league.
I’m still scratching my head as to how Swansea didn’t beat Aston Villa at the weekend. Swansea were untouchable during the opening 20 minutes and should have been out of sight. Michael Laudrup must quickly move on from the missed opportunities as Arsenal are in Wales next.
The Gunners were beaten 2-0 at the Emirates at the start of December and that was the second defeat in a row to the Swans. Southampton made Arsenal look very ordinary during the week and Swansea will sense that this is there for the taking.
Laudrup encourages his side to keep their style whoever they are up against and I can see that tactic causing the Gunners a lot of problems. The Liberty Stadium will be rocking and they will be rewarded with another win over Arsene Wenger’s Arsenal.
Betting on BETDAQ – Alan’s Punts:
Brighton v Newcastle – Back Brighton at 2.75
West Ham v Man United – Back Man United at 1.74
Swansea v Arsenal – Back Swansea at 3.3
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