FA Cup, more than just the big boys on the pitch on Saturday for England’s biggest domestic cup: latest news, stats and predictions.
The Premier League stops, the FA Cup begins. English football knows no breaks, not even during the Christmas holidays. This weekend is entirely dedicated to the second most important national competition, whose fascination has crossed the borders for several years now. Yes, in England’s most prestigious cup, there are no stakes, it’s all against all, with the big names in play from the very first rounds. Or almost.
The teams, in fact, are drawn randomly, which is why it is not at all unusual to see Liverpool, for example, take to the field of an amateur club, being a competition open to all levels of the English football system. All eyes, then, are on the third round, the one in which all 20 Premier clubs make their debut. This time, there do not seem to be any fascinating match-ups: many teams from the top division will either face each other (Manchester United-Everton and Manchester City-Chelsea) or face opponents from the lower division, the Championship. However, this is not the case for Leicester, who are engaged at the home of little Gillingham, who participate in League Two, the equivalent of our Serie D.
The Gills had already achieved a great feat in the League Cup last November, surprisingly eliminating Brentford on penalties. They then surrendered 2-0 to Wolverhampton, but still made an impression. They should also avoid humiliation against the Foxes, who are disappointing in the league – they come from three consecutive defeats – and could ‘use’ the cup to regain their lost confidence.
FA Cup: Burnley can surprise Bournemouth
Leicester will be looking to unlock their attacking prowess, having scored just one goal against Newcastle, Liverpool and Fulham: at least three goals in total are expected. Nottingham Forest are also likely to win, as they are on a high after their success in their clash with Southampton. Blackpool, who are struggling in the bottom half of the Championship, should not be a problem.
Gary O’Neil, Bournemouth coach
The surprise may come from the challenge of Bournemouth, where the hosts, struggling in the Premier League, risk against Burnley, who are dominating the cadet tournament. Fulham and Coventry are also likely to make it through the round, against Hull City and Wrexham respectively. Ipswich Town, on the other hand, can overturn the prediction and oust Rotherham, a team that plays in a higher category but that is going through a difficult period. We expect a tight contest between Reading and Watford, who should score at least one goal each. Chesterfield-West Bromwich and Middlesbrough-Brighton will be anything but goalless. Less eventful are Milwall-Sheffield United and Luton-Wigan.
FA Cup: possible winners
- Nottingham Forest (in Blackpool-Nottingham Forest, 4pm)
- Burnley (in Bournemouth-Burnley, 16:00)
- Fulham (in Hull City v Fulham, 16:00)
- Ipswich Town or draw (in Ipswich Town-Rotherham, 16:00)
- Coventry (in Coventry-Wrexham, 6.30pm)
The matches with at least one goal per team
- Reading-Watford, 1.30pm
- Bournemouth-Burnley, 16:00
- Hull City-Fulham, 16:00
FA Cup: matches with at least three goals in total
- Gillingham-Leicester, 1.30pm
- Chesterfield-West Bromwich, 16:00
- Middlesbrough-Brighton, 16:00
Middlesbrough-Brighton, 4pm
- Milwall v Sheffield United, 16:00
- Luton Town-Wigan, 6.30pm
