2010/11 FA Cup fourth round preview - Toffees out to conquer defending champions
15 Premier League sides survived the threat of a third round giant killing to reach the fourth round. However the number of top flight clubs in round five is guaranteed to be less with five all Premier League clashes taking place this weekend.
Crawley Town continue to fly the flag for non-league football, adding Derby County to their impressive list of scalps en route to the last 32. Their reward is a trip to League Two outfit Torquay United who narrowly saw off Carlisle United 1-0 at Plainmoor in round three. Both sides are sure to fancy their chances of victory on Saturday and hopefully securing a money spinning fifth round tie with a Premier League club in the process.
Defending champions Chelsea face a tricky fourth round tie at Everton having begun their defence in round three with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge. Promising young striker Daniel Sturridge capped an impressive display with two goals and is likely to feature once again as manager Carlo Ancelotti gives fringe players a chance to shine.
The Toffees produced arguably the most impressive display of the third round when defeating Championship side Scunthorpe United 5-1 at Glanford Park and will be out to gain revenge for the agonising 2-1 defeat by Chelsea in the 2008/2009 FA cup final.
11 times FA cup winners Manchester United saw off a spirited Liverpool challenge in the third round and now face League One Southampton who comfortably disposed of Blackpool in the last round. 17-year-old Saints midfielder Alex Chamberlain has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs after an eye-catching start to his professional career and his performance on Saturday will be watched closely with the transfer window coming to an end on Monday night.
Last year Championship club Reading reached the quarter finals after an impressive cup run that saw them take out Premier League sides in Liverpool and Burnley. They started this year’s campaign by claiming another top flight scalp with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. That victory secured them a fourth round tie against the giant killers of round three Stevenage, who defeated Newcastle United 3-1 on an unforgettable night for the club, who will look to once again make home advantage count.
Arsenal overcame a resilient Ipswich Town side on Tuesday night to secure their place in the Carling Cup final as they edge closer and closer to ending the club’s recent silverware drought. They're back in action on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Huddersfield Town to the Emirates stadium. Arsene Wenger could choose to rest some of those players who featured in midweek but will be keen to avoid a repeat of the previous round that saw them taken to a replay by Leeds United.
Notts County produced one of the shocks of the third round when they defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light and were rewarded with a home tie against Premier League giants Manchester City, who needed a replay to get past Leicester City.
At this stage : 10 years ago – 2000/2001
Division one strugglers Tranmere Rovers humiliated their Merseyside neighbours Everton with a 3-0 victory at Goodison Park. Elsewhere, Manchester United were made to rue missed chances as they crashed out to West Ham.
Five years ago - 2005/06
Brentford striker DJ Campbell scored a brace to help his side knock out Premier League outfit Sunderland 2-1 while Bolton midfielder Stelios Gianakopoulos scored an 84th minute header to dump an inexperienced Arsenal side out.
One year ago - 2009/2010
Gylfi Sigurdsson’s 87th minute strike was enough to see Reading progress with a narrow 1-0 over Premier League side Burnley. League two, Notts County scored two goals in the last 15 minutes to defeat Wigan Athletic in a replay at the DW stadium and earn a fifth round tie with Fulham.
FA Cup Fourth round fixtures
Saturday 29th January
Everton vs. Chelsea - 12.30 - Live on ESPN
Swansea vs. Leyton Orient - 12.50
Aston Villa vs. Blackburn - 13.00
Birmingham vs. Coventry- 15.00
Bolton vs. Wigan - 15.00
Burnley vs. Burton Albion - 15.00
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Hereford - 15.00
Torquay vs. Crawley Town - 15.00
Watford vs. Brighton & Hove Albion - 15.00
Stevenage vs. Reading - 15.00
Southampton vs. Manchester Utd - 17:15 - Live on ITV 1
Sunday 30th January
Arsenal vs. Huddersfield - 12.00 - Live on ITV 1
Wolves vs. Stoke City - 13.00
Notts County vs. Manchester City - 14.00 - Live on ESPN
West Ham Utd vs. Nottingham Forest - 14.00
Fulham vs. Tottenham - 16.30 - Live on ESPN
See the full list of OLBG's free Football Tips here.
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