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FA Cup Match Preview: 20-23 February

Posted on | Posted by Clint Vojdinoski

Arsenal v Hull City

Saturday February 20, 8.45pm, Emirates Stadium

Alexis Sanchez was the star as FA Cup holders Arsenal overcame Burnley 2-1 at home. The Chile international set up a fantastic strike from Calum Chambers and scored one himself either side of Sam Vokes’ equaliser as Arsenal made it 14 consecutive victories in this competition.

Championship leaders Hull City eased into the fifth round courtesy of Chuba Akpom’s hat-trick in a 3-1 win at League One’s Bury. The on-loan Arsenal striker put the Tigers into the lead in the 14th minute before converting a 57th minute penalty. He struck again 12 minutes later to claim his first treble in senior football, while Craig Jones claimed a consolation for Bury with four minutes left.

Prediction

These two clubs will meet in the FA Cup for the third successive season with Arsenal coming out on top on the previous two occasions, most notably in the Final two years ago. Both sides will be tinkering with their lineups, Hull manager Steve Bruce has one eye on Premier League promotion, while Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has a Champions League first leg round-of-16 clash with Barcelona in midweek. Overall Arsenal has the greater depth, so take them for the home win.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Arsenal
Under 2.5 Goals

Reading v West Bromwich Albion

Saturday February 20, 11pm, Madejski Stadium

Matej Vydra scored twice as struggling Championship club Reading powered to a 4-0 victory over League One’s Walsall. Losing semi-finalists last season, Reading led 2-0 at halftime through Hal Robson-Kanu and Vydra. Walsall offered little threat in reducing the deficit as Reading added a third through Daniel Williams before Vydra netted his second in stoppage time.

West Bromwich Albion needed penalties to overcome Peterborough United in a replay after the first tie finished 2-2. In the replay, the League One club energetically took the game to the Baggies and took a deserved second half lead through Jon Taylor. But Darren Fletcher thumped a well taken equaliser to take the match into extra-time where both sides created chances to win a hugely entertaining encounter before the Baggies came through 4-3 on penalties.

Prediction

Both clubs go into this match in less than impressive form. Reading are winless in six league matches while West Brom have won once in their last six. Vydra becomes the key for Reading against his former club as his side have struggled up front since selling top scorer Nick Blackman in January. West Brom are well priced at $2.70 to win the tie.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Bromwich Albion
Under 2.5 Goals

Watford v Leeds United

Saturday February 20, 11pm, Vicarage Road

Watford reached the fifth round for the first time in seven years thanks to Odion Ighalo’s 89th minute winner over Nottingham Forest. Having beaten Newcastle United 1-0 in the third round, Quique Sanchez Flores’ men struggled to break down their Championship opponents. The Hornets had been frustrated by Forest goalkeeper Dorus de Vries who kept his side in the match with some fine first half saves. But Ighalo capitalised on a defensive mistake from Kelvin Wilson to ensure Watford’s progress.

Toumani Diagouraga marked his first start for Leeds with a goal in their 2-1 triumph over Championship rivals Bolton Wanderers. Souleymane Doukara put the Elland Road club in front on eight minutes and Diagouraga made it two just before halftime. But after dominating much of the match Leeds were forced to hang on to their lead after Bolton captain Darren Pratley pulled a goal back with 10 minutes remaining.

Prediction

Leeds are defensively sound, draw specialists but lack the goalscorer to trouble Watford. While the Hornets have in-form forwards Ighalo and Troy Deeney to unleash on Leeds. Look for Watford to narrowly win at home.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Watford
Under 2.5 Goals

AFC Bournemouth v Everton

Sunday February 21, 1.15am, Vitality Stadium

Two goals in the space of 12 second half minutes from Josh King and Marc Pugh turned Bournemouth’s tie against Portsmouth on its head. In the first half, Bournemouth were second best and struggled for fluency which Portsmouth capitalised on when Gary Roberts had put the League Two club ahead in the 43rd minute. After the break, Bournemouth manager Eddie Howe substituted on Pugh and Matt Ritchie which sparked an improved display from the Cherries with both players central in their comeback victory.

Everton rested stars John Stones, Gerard Deulofeu and Romelu Lukaku yet had enough quality to breeze to a 3-0 victory away at League Two side Carlisle United. Aaron Lennon teed up Arouna Kone to open the scoring within two minutes and Lennon himself doubled the lead inside the first quarter of an hour. Ross Barkley drilled in a deflected third after the break as the Toffees had no troubles against a team lying in mid-table in England’s fourth tier.

Prediction

The tie will be open with both looking to move the ball quickly to their forwards. Bournemouth struggle to keep clean sheets and will have a tough time holding out against an attack minded Everton. Expect the Toffees to play their best eleven in an important fixture for the club.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Everton
Over 2.5 Goals

Blackburn Rovers v West Ham United

Sunday February 21, 10pm, Ewood Park

Blackburn Rovers ran out comfortable 3-0 winners over League Two’s Oxford United. Rovers were dominant from start-to-finish with Ben Marshall bagging two goals in either half and Tony Watt hitting a screamer on the stroke of halftime.

Angelo Ogbonna’s 121st minute header helped West Ham break Liverpool hearts in a fourth round replay. Michail Antonio had given the Hammers the lead just before halftime, but Philippe Coutinho’s free kick crept under the wall to equalise three minutes into the second half. In a see-sawing contest where both sides traded fine chances, Ogbonna rose in the dying moments to head Dimitri Payet’s cross.

Prediction

Blackburn’s league form has been ordinary and having sold their leading striker in Jordan Rhodes to Middlesbrough they lack a clinical goalscorer. West Ham’s form away from home has been exceptional and manager Slaven Bilic will not take this tie lightly. Take West Ham to win at $2.03.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – West Ham United
Over 2.5 Goals

Tottenham Hotspur v Crystal Palace

Sunday February 21, 11pm, White Hart Lane

Two goals from Nacer Chadli helped Tottenham to a routine 4-1 success over League One’s bottom club Colchester United. Chadli’s fine finish gave Mauricio Pochettino’s side a deserved lead then landed the decisive blow in the 64th minute when Eric Dier made it 2-0 with a deflected effort. A header from Chadli made it three and, though Ben Davies scored an own goal just two minutes later, Tom Carroll struck soon afterwards to ensure the visitors a spot in the fifth round for the first time since 2012.

In the midst of poor league form Crystal Palace knocked out fellow Premier League club Stoke City 1-0. Palace easily controlled the contest against their out-of-form opponents. Wilfried Zaha sealed progression with a fine individual goal in the 17th minute when he brushed past two Stoke defenders before slotting beyond goalkeeper Jakob Haggard.

Prediction

Spurs are challenging for honours on three fronts so questions remain whether Pochettino’s men has the squad depth to overcome a tie against Premier League opposition. But Spurs are taking on a squad who are in freefall, defensively shaky and have not sufficiently addressed their problems in the front third of the pitch.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Tottenham Hotspur
Over 2.5 Goals

Chelsea v Manchester City

Monday February 22, Midnight, Stamford Bridge

Oscar struck a first-half hat-trick, a penalty from Eden Hazard and a goal from Bertrand Traore helped Chelsea ease to a 5-1 victory against Championship strugglers MK Dons. In a season of personal struggle, Hazard won and converted a penalty to end his 28 game goalscoring drought and setup Traore to complete the scoring.

Kelechi Iheanacho scored a hat-trick as Manchester City cruised to a 4-0 victory at a dreadful Aston Villa. The 19-year-old scored from close range and netted a penalty inside the opening 24 minutes. Iheanacho completed his treble late on as he took advantage of some terrible Villa defending to beat Brad Guzan one-on-one, before Raheem Sterling sealed the victory.

Prediction

Two clubs with differing fortunes, City have stumbled in the face of two important league matches while Chelsea have played with resilience since Guus Hiddink took charge of the club on an interim basis. The key battle in this tie will be Diego Costa against City’s inconsistent defenders. With both clubs in the midst of a crowded fixture list, look for a tough, energy sapping encounter which will test both side’s squad depth.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Draw
Under 2.5 Goals

Shrewsbury Town v Manchester United

Tuesday February 23, 3.45am, Greenhous Meadow

Jack Grimmer netted a 97th minute winner as Shrewsbury Town staged a stunning comeback to triumph 3-2 and knock out Championship club Sheffield Wednesday. League One strugglers Shrewsbury trailed 2-1 with three minutes to go. Shaun Whalley levelled by converting the rebound after Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro’s penalty was saved and deep into stoppage time, Grimmer headed home to spark jubilant scenes as the Shrews made it to the fifth round for the first time since 1991.

Manchester United played with a bit of seldom seen freedom as they saw off Derby County 3-1. United were impressive in the second half, with goals from Daley Blind and Juan Mata sealing the win after Wayne Rooney’s superb first half opener was cancelled out by George Thorne.

Prediction

Shrewsbury Town are the lowest placed club still in this year’s competition, and even though United have toiled and struggled to display anything resembling fluent form they will overcome their less storied opponents.

Suggested Bets

Match Result – Manchester United
Over 2.5 Goals

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