FA Cup Quarter Final Previews and Predictions
This coming weekend is one of the most exciting in the football calendar in England as just eight teams remain in with a chance of reaching Wembley for the two FA Cup Semi-finals, with a place in the final also up for grabs for the winners of those two games.
Unlike previous years where several big name teams have gone out of the competition early, this year sees a good mix of top Premier League teams, teams from lower down the table and a couple of surprise packages from the lower divisions.
In this preview, we’ll take a look at each game and give you tips on how we feel each will go and who the four teams could be that take to the field at Wembley in April.
FA Cup Quarter Finals
Saturday 4th April
Manchester City vs Liverpool (12.45pm)
Without doubt, the biggest tie of this FA Cup Quarterfinal weekend takes place at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester as the newly crowned Carabao Cup Champions, Manchester City, welcome their long-time rivals Liverpool.
After securing victory over Arsenal in the Carabao Cup Final, City’s players will be itching to get back in action after the international break. However, they’ll be seeking to secure another trip to Wembley against a Liverpool side who are struggling of late.
Arne Slot’s Reds were well-beaten at Brighton in their last Premier League game before the break and have lost both games against City this season in the league. With this game also being in Manchester, this looks like being another very difficult away day for the Reds
As such, we think Manchester City will earn a relatively comfortable win by a 2-0 scoreline.
Chelsea vs. Port Vale (5.15pm)
Second up in the quarterfinal ties is the big David v Goliath as struggling Chelsea face a must-win game against League One strugglers Port Vale.
The Valiants have done superbly well to reach this stage, beating both Bristol City and Sunderland 1-0 at home on their way into the last eight.
Chelsea saw off Wrexham after extra time to reach this phase and they will be happy to have home advantage, especially with the state of the Vale pitch coming under fierce criticism of late.
Shocks are part and parcel of the FA Cup, but it is hard to see Vale landing one here, even against a Chelsea team out of sorts in the games leading up to the international break.
Despite that, we’re backing a comfortable 4-0 win for Chelsea here.
Southampton vs Arsenal (8.00pm)
It won’t have been an easy international break for Arsenal’s players after the way they capitulated in the second half of the Carabao Cup Final, losing 2-0 to Manchester City.
They also now face a tricky trip to St Mary’s to face a Southampton side that have found some form of late to move into the playoff battle at the top of the Championship.
The Saints are unbeaten in their last 14 games in all competitions, winning 11 of those matches, drawing three. That should give Arsenal pause for thought.
Mikel Arteta will want his team to bounce back from that defeat to City, especially in week when they will play their Champions League quarterfinal first leg against Sporting Lisbon. But this could well be a tricky one for the Gunners.
Expect a tough game here and Southampton to push Arsenal hard, but the Gunners to come through 2-1, perhaps after extra time.
Sunday 5th April
West Ham United v Leeds United (4.30pm)
While both of these teams have been more focused on the relegation battle from the Premier League of late, the FA Cup has proven to be a welcome distraction and the chance of a Wembley semi-final is a huge incentive for both these teams.
West Ham’s form has been much improved of late under Nuno Santos, although they were beaten 2-0 in their final game before the international break. They are still in the relegation spots, but are now just one point behind Spurs.
Leeds are four points better off than West Ham in the league but they have struggled for goals of late, failing to score in their last four games in the league. That could be a problem against a West Ham side that have been impressive of late at home.
This could be a very close affair. Leeds form of late makes it seem unlikely they will land a win inside the 90 minutes, but there is a real possibility this game could go to extra time or even penalties.
As such, we’re backing a tight game that ends 1-1 at the 90 minute mark with extra time and penalties deciding the winner, with West Ham doing just enough to progress.
