This weekend sees the return of the FA Cup with sixteen fourth round games taking place. Let us have a look at the games that stand out.
Derby v Leicester
The first game of the weekend takes place on Friday night with east midlands rivals Derby County against Leicester City. As commentator Steve Bower stated on BBC, "this is quite simply a tie neither will want to lose". Claudio Ranieri will hope that victory will "kick-start" their season. After last year's remarkable Premier League triumph, the foxes have struggled this season and currently lie fifteenth in the league.
Although Leicester are the superior team, I am going for a Derby win, especially as the game is at Pride Park.
Liverpool v Wolves
The early kick-off on Saturday sees Wolverhampton Wanderers travel to anfield to play Liverpool. Whilst ordinarily you would think it was no-brainer who would win, at the moment I am not so sure. January has been awful for Liverpool. With one victory in seven games this month, it would be fair to say that Jurgen Klopp's team are in a slump. After more than a year without defeat at Anfield, Liverpool have suffered two consecutive defeats at home. However, although Wolves are languishing in the lower half of the Championship table as shown on the Fotmob website, they are more than capable of springing a surprise.
However, I do not think that they will. Klopp will want a reaction from his team after Wednesday's defeat and I am sure that he will get one.
Lincoln v Brighton
Another intriguing game sees non-league Lincoln City host Brighton & Hove Albion. Whilst Lincoln are in the Conference Premier and Brighton are flying high in the Championship, you really can never tell.
The fact that the game is at Lincoln's ground and for what is at stake it promises to be a cracker. Despite all that, I am going for a Brighton win; as the game goes on I just see their quality will see them through.
Southampton v Arsenal
In the last game on Saturday, Arsenal travel to Southampton. Despite Arsenal being in second place in the league and are unbeaten in six, the confidence should be sky-high for the South Coast team after beating Liverpool in the EFL semi-final game.
As it is a Premier League clash, there is no real cupset up but it would be a surprise is Arsenal did not win. However, I do not see that happening as the gunners will probably have too much for Southampton.
Sutton v Leeds
On Sunday there are a further four games but the pick of the lot sees Leeds United travel to Sutton United. With the non-league side currently in fifteenth place and Leeds third in the Championship, one would think that it would be an easy victory for the Yorkshire team. But we all know too well that one cannot predict the cupset. Sutton will give Leeds a real run for their money and I would not be surprised to see them win, but I think that, just, Leeds will emerge victorious.
That is my view. Whether I am right or wrong, we shall see over the weekend.
