EXCELLENT FIXTURES AHEAD IN THE FA CUP: I’m really looking forward to the FA Cup this weekend, as a competition it creates so many historic victories for underdogs, but it means so much more than just the result. I will be at the Exeter and Liverpool game tonight because of a draw I made 10 years ago. Exeter as a club were on the verge of going under until I drew them against Man United, the finances from this alone kept them going. Not only that, but they managed to grab a draw in their first meeting before being defeated in the replay. Side stories like these really make this competition magical. So lets look at what lies ahead this weekend.
CITY’S AWAY TROUBLE TO CONTINUE
This is a tricky one. We know that Man City are one of the biggest teams in the country, and that Norwich have been somewhat struggling since coming back into the Premier League, but with the way things have been going for City I don’t see this as a foregone conclusion.
I just think the Man City defense is too bad at the moment for any of their games to be considered a cert. Whether it be Mangala, Dimichelis or Otamendi they have really been in ruins. They were exposed again during the week against Everton, where they really could have conceded much more than they did. They have shipped way too many goals without Kompany to look like anything resembling a Champion, and it will be problematic in the cup too.
I see Norwich putting out a strong side for this one. They have nothing to lose from it really, if they fail to go through, many would say they saw it coming, and if they do beat City it would be a massive boost to the rest of their season. The opportunity really is there for them to cause an upset, City have only won one away game in the past month, and they were very lucky to get that victory against Watford. At 4.6 I really fancy Norwich to sneak a win in this one.
CHRIS EVANS TO WIN AT OLD STOMPING GROUND
I like Leeds around even money to have the beating of Rotherham. Steve Evans has done a pretty good since joining Leeds, they have had a bit of a turnaround in the last month. I think he will be looking to continue that run with a cup win. Couple that with the fact that Rotherham is his old stomping ground I really think he will go all out to win this one. Oh, and did I mention it is also a Yorkshire Derby? So this is a game you really don’t want to lose if you are Chris Evans.
Rotherham are struggling in the Championship, currently sitting close to the bottom of the table, and they are currently struggling for form. They haven’t been getting results of late, whereas Leeds have had some good wins and picked up valuable points over their last few games.
Most of the time when you are talking about a banana skin in the FA Cup you would be referring to a top Premiership team against lesser opponents. I actually see this as a potential banana skin for Leeds, and I think Chris Evans will have identified it as such also, and will be determined to not let his side slip up in a game they should win.
WATFORD TO IMPRESS AGAIN
Outside of Leicester City I think Watford have been the real surprise team of the season. They are flying high in the Premier League and playing some excellent football under Quique Flores. They have complied some big results so far this season, and I think they have a good cup run in them as well.
They have beaten Newcastle away from home in the Premier League already this season, and I can’t see the result being any different this time around. Their strenghts just so happen to be the exact area that Newcastle struggle – getting goals. That has been a big problem for this Newcastle side this season, they just aren’t doing it in front of goal.
They have played some good football in most areas of the pitch, but when they get into the box they come up with very little. Mitrovic does a good job of putting himself around the place and creating some chances, but he has been failing to convert all too consistently. They have what look to be good players going forward, but they are down on confidence which is very important when trying to grab a goal.
I think Watford will play a full team in this one, they have no reason not to. They are comfortable in the league, have a good side in play, and they should believe they have a cup run in them. I think near evens is a decent price for Watford at home considering the difference between the two sides thus far this season.
CARLISLE COMFORTABLE AGAINST YEOVIL
These are two teams I have watched on a couple of occasions this season, and in my opinion there are streets between the two sides. I have seen them both against Stevenage, and although they both came through with a victory, then manner in which they did could not have been much different.
Carlisle look like a good side to me. They play a good attractive style of football and have had some good wins in the games I have watched them this year. Yeovil on the other hand have looked really poor. They deserved to go out against Stevenage, and the other time I watched them they were dreadful and easily beaten.
Yeovil are really lucky this will be played in a neutral ground because of flooding around the Carlisle area, as that would be one of the worst journeys for them to make. This game will be played in Blackpool which definitely is a positive for Yeovil, but I still don’t think they have it in them to get a win against a superior Carlisle side.
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