The magic of the cup is back this weekend, for 8 clubs anyway. The 3 most successful teams in the competition history are still involved, as well as the current holders.
The action kicks off at 5:30 this evening, with Norwich City hosting 12 times winners Manchester United
Tomorrow sees 13 times winner Arsenal travel to face Sheffield United.
3rd v 4th in the Premier League, Leicester City and Chelsea meet, while holders Manchester City face Newcastle United at St James Park.
With Manchester United trying to get into the Champions League places, combined with the hectic schedule, it will be interesting to see the XI Solskjaer picks for this one. Norwich look doomed at the bottom of the league, but the carrot of 6 points from safety may see Farke also see this as a distraction from the main goal. United have looked good since the restart, while Norwich have lost both their games.
Surely this is an away banker, whoever OGS picks in his XI. United to win by at least 2 goals.
Sheffield United and Arsenal sit side by side in mid table in the league, just outside the European places. Neither has re-started well, although Arsenal got the first victory for either on Thursday. Both teams have played 3 since the break, with Sheffield United failing to even score (controversially) as their CL dream has quickly died. Surely both teams will be seeing the FA Cup as a chance to save their season?
Hard to call game, this one could go all the way to penalties.
Leicester have come back after the break looking sluggish as they defend their CL place. Two draws, the first a 1-1 with both goals scored late on, and a 0-0 have seen the Foxes struggle to create and Vardy on the edge of the games. Chelsea, on the other hand, have 2 wins from 2, including the title deciding win over Man City. Both teams currently sit in the top 4, but are under pressure from Man Utd and Wolves, so focus may be elsewhere.
Form says a Chelsea win, and I think they will.
Manchester City lost their PL title on Thursday night, so may be licking their wounds. Newcastle have looked pretty decent since the restart, and held City to a 2-2 draw in their home PL fixture. City have also lost Aguero, and may have one eye on Augusts Champions League return.
I expect a high scoring game, with City coming out as winners.
Should be an interesting weekend of football.
FA Cup Quarter Final Weekend.
posted on 27/6/20
Don’t let Wolves v villa slip under the radar, 12:30 KO
A villa win or a draw dumps the World Cup winners West Ham in the drop zone
posted on 27/6/20
8 PL teams in the last 8 means that most clubs still appreciate the value of the World's oldest cup competition.
Fernandinho will be a big miss for City as they try to become the first club to retain both the domestic cups in the same season.
posted on 27/6/20
We'll beat Sheffield if Ozil is kept the hell away from the game. Not just saying that from the usual Ozil hate place. Actually some logic behind it. The way Sheffield like to play, they're praying we play Ozil. All teams like them do because they know our attack can't get going as long as they just block the lanes. Relatively easy day at the office for them with him on the pitch because he won't improvise and run the ball. And their manager is smart enough to know it and hope we start him. Means he doesn't have to come up with anything new, in a hurry midgame. "Just stay disciplined, block the lanes and they'll do the rest to themselves." is all the game instruction his players need.
posted on 27/6/20
No doubt City will do their usual thing this season of winning when you don’t want them to.
posted on 27/6/20
"Chelsea, on the other hand, have 2 wins from 2, including the title deciding win over Man City. Both teams currently sit in the top 4, but are under pressure from Man Utd and Wolves, so focus may be elsewhere.
Form says a Chelsea win, and I think they will."
The man that Frank is he'll be determined to win the FA Cup and silence the naysayers as well.
I expect fairly strong side to be fielded.
Something like this...
Caballero
James Zouma Rudiger Emerson
Gilmour Jorginho Kovacic
Hudson-Odoi Tammy Loftus-Cheek
posted on 27/6/20
Pedro, if Hudson-Odoi isn't fit to start.
posted on 27/6/20
Beating United along the way when it really matters in semi-final or final, will also be ideal. Tick that off.
posted on 28/6/20
comment by Chelseamf™®© (U1677)
posted 1 day, 5 hours ago
Beating United along the way when it really matters in semi-final or final, will also be ideal. Tick that off.
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Yep, would be perfect. Won't happen.