Fourth Round

After the blogs recent premier league previewing success we move into the fourth round of the F.A. cup this weekend and look at some of the more eye catching fixtures for fans & punters.

The early kick off sees Manchester City travel to Stoke, which will be a real test for both teams at such a early stage of the competition.  Strangely this match has ended 1-1 in four of the last five meetings.  Stoke have been suffering a real dip in form recently with only three wins in their last ten matches.  During this period the most surprising results were the heavy defeat at home against Chelsea and also a draw with Southampton.  Another problem during this period has been scoring goals for the home side, averaging just over one goal per game whilst they have conceded in this time just over one and a half goals per game.  Their opponents have hit a real rich vein of form in the league, winning seven of their last ten matches and suffering only one defeat.  Also looking at their away record they have only lost one of their last ten away matches and averaging just over one and half goals per game in this period.  Looking back at the home sides records against teams from the top four they haven't managed to beat anyone of them at home in just over a year and a half.  But they have managed draws frequently.  Overall I wouldn't suggest this would be a high scoring match and believe Manchester City may well have to accept a replay if they are to progress into the next round.

In the three o'clock matches Reading host Sheffield United, Reading have recently managed to find some form of late.  With four wins and just one defeat the home side will go into this match full of confidence.  Reading have averaged just over two goals per game at home in the last ten matches but have also conceded on averaged two and a half goals.  The visitors on the other hand have slightly gone off the boil of late with just one win in the last five.  But if you look at their away form it looks much healthier, with three wins and two draws in their last five.  During this run of five matches Sheffield United have averaged just over two goals per game.  I would suggest Reading should have enough to progress in this match and I would also lean towards this match providing us with goals.

Queens Park Rangers look to put the worries of relegation to one side and hopefully progress in the cup with a home tie against MK Dons.  The home side has slowly begun to turn their form around under Harry Redknapp with two wins and three draws in their last five.  But home wins have been difficult to come by with just one win in their last ten.  Draws have been the most common result for QPR and eight of the last ten home matches has seen both teams scoring.  The away team come into the match in good form with just one defeat in their last five matches.  Their away form has been good with just two defeats in their last ten and averaging just over one goal per game.  These two teams met last year in the cup, with QPR eventually progressing after a replay with a one nil victory at Loftus Road.  My thoughts for this match is the possibility of goals and a home win in this match but if QPR rotate their team heavily that prediction may well be in doubt.

Arsenal travel down to the AMEX stadium, in what they must believe is their best chance of winning any silverware this season.  This match against Brighton should be a match of technique and quality and this maybe a major bonus for Arsenal.  Playing other championship sides which use more strength and aerial threats I may suggest a cup upset.  But Brighton play football and try to pass and control the game in a similar way to Arsenal.  Looking at the home side they have lost just two of their last ten matches and at home have lost just one of their last ten.  In their last ten at home Brighton have averaged just under one and a half goals per game but have been conceding on average one goal.  Brighton have taken the scalps of Newcastle & Sunderland at home in recent cup ties so will be confident going into this match.  Arsenal come into the match with just two defeats in their last ten matches but have not been at their most effective away from home this season.  Looking at their goals record away from home Arsenal have scored in nine of their last ten and averaged just under one and a half goals per game.  Overall this is another game I would suggest should contain goals and looking at a match result I would suggest a away victory but wouldn't be surprised if it took Arsenal a replay to progress.

The late kick off sees Fulham travel to Old Trafford, in a match that has been billed by sections of the media as the return of Berbatov.  Manchester Uniteds home league record is nine wins from ten matches and averaging just under three goals per game.  Looking at Fulhams away record it reads four defeats and four draws in the last ten.  The home side will rotate for this match but will still have to much strength for Fulham.  In four of the last seven matches between these two teams there has been three or more goals.  I would suggest we should see at least a couple of goals in this match and I cannot see beyond a comfortable home victory.

Thanks for reading and good luck to everyone !!!