FA Cup 4th Round Preview

The FA Cup has reached its fourth round stage and this weekend sees some cracking ties in the world-famous competition.

Liverpool travel to Plymouth Argyle for a Sunday shootout, while Aston Villa and Tottenham meet an all-Premier League clash at Villa Park later that day.

Most of the action is on Saturday, though, with two matches starting at 12.15pm, another six at 3pm, then two more contests in the evening. Brighton host Chelsea at 8pm in arguably the match of the day.

Chelsea to beat Brighton

The relief was palpable at Stamford Bridge on Monday night when Chelsea fought back to defeat West Ham, getting the Blues back to winning ways after a sticky spell, and the Londoners can be expected to build on that victory by progressing past Brighton in the FA Cup.

Chelsea, seeking to win the FA Cup for a ninth time, should go deep in the competition this time, with Cole Palmer pulling the strings in a side which is full of attacking options.

The Blues’ forwards will be facing an Albion defence which is low on confidence after the Seagulls suffered a 7-0 trouncing at Nottingham Forest last time out.

Brighton’s last home game was a 1-0 defeat to lowly Everton and suddenly there is a feeling of unease at the AmEx Stadium. Questions are starting to be asked of young boss Fabian Hurzeler.

Brighton have won just two of their last 12 Premier League games, so the 13/10 for Chelsea makes plenty of appeal.

Fulham to win and both teams to score

Fulham to win and both teams to score is an attractive wager at 21/10 for the Cottagers’ trip to Wigan.

Fulham are a well-drilled team, riding high in the top half of the Premier League table and the efficiency of Marco Silva’s side means they should enjoy a comfortable passage to the fifth round.

Fulham have kept only five clean sheets in all competitions this season, though, and the chances of Wigan notching a consolation goal seem high.

Bookmakers are not expecting the Latics’ attack to trouble the home defence, but the hosts have scored in their last three home games.

If the Cottagers’ concentration levels dip once the game is essentially won, Wigan can give the home fans something to cheer.

Manchester City to win 6-0

Arsenal were flattered by their 5-1 victory over Manchester City last Sunday – the game could have gone either way in the early stages – and City can be fancied to bounce back with a comfortable FA Cup success.

FA Cup football is just the tonic for an under-pressure City side who are badly struggling to win any silverware this season.

A relaxed Citizens destroyed Salford 8-0 in the last round of the FA Cup and they could deliver a similar hammering to Leyton Orient on Saturday.

When City get in front and start playing possession football, they can still run opponents ragged.

They won 6-0 at Ipswich Town last month and the 20/1 available about them repeating that scoreline at Gaughan Group Stadium looks like good value.