Which Matches to Look Out for in the FA Cup Fourth Round?
by Steve Ashfield | by Steve Ashfield
Will We See More Shocks in the FA Cup Fourth Round?
The FA Cup has been going strong since 1872 and every fan dreams of either seeing their team play in the Wembley Cup final. Only two teams get that far of course but for other clubs, it's a chance to cause a shock and boost their finances with a good cup run.
This weekend sees Newport County (14th in League Two) host Manchester United. It's a dream game against a Premier League team and a win for the Welsh side would make headlines all over the world. They'll be hoping for more goals from striker WIll Evans
It could have been an even larger dream FA Cup tie if National League Eastleigh had been able to beat Newport in round two. County won that tie after a replay and come into this game unbeaten in their last seven matches. They have claimed some big scalps in cup competitions in the past including beating Middlesbrough, Leicester City, Leeds United and Watford. The 2018-19 season saw them reach the FA Cup fifth round but it'll be a massive surprise if they can get that far this term.
The FA Cup represents Manchester United's only realistic chance of winning a trophy this season. They last won the trophy in 2016 but were beaten finalists last season. Round three saw them win away at League One Wigan Athletic and now they face a club even lower in the English football pyramid.
United aren't the most consistent of teams and the third round win at Wigan is their only away success in the last six played. Fans are becoming increasingly critical of their beloved team. Those feelings would intensify immensely if they were to exit the FA Cup at the hands of Newport County. It'd be a great FA Cup story though! Make sure you access our FA Cup betting tips written by our team of experts.
Clash of the Titans
By the end of this fourth round, at least half of the top six in the Premier League won't be in the next round. Arsenal and West Ham United are already out and Manchester City travel to Tottenham Hotspurs.
City are the current cup holders after their win over Manchester United in last season's final. They haven't been as dominant in the FA Cup as in other competitions. Last season's win was the first time they'd lifted the famous trophy since 2019 and only the second since 2011. However, they regularly make it to Wembley for the semi-finals. They've done that in each of the last five seasons, can they do it again this year?
Round three saw them beat Championship side Huddersfield Town 5-0. They come into this cup tie having won their last six games and that run included becoming world club champions.
Tottenham have only lost one of their last five games against Manchester City. Earlier in the season they drew 3-3 at the Etihad but won't have Son available for this cup tie as he's on Asian Cup duty.
Spurs are the second-highest scorers in the history of the FA Cup, just behind non-league Kettering Town. They haven't lifted the FA Cup since 1991 and haven't even reached the final since then. The last four seasons have seen them lose in the fifth round but with this draw they'd be glad to get that far this season. Make sure you check out all the FA Cup betting odds for the fourth round.
Seagulls Success?
Another all-Premier League tie sees Brighton and Hove Albion travel to struggling Sheffield United. The Seagulls are going well again this season being eighth in the Premier League. They are also strong in cup competitions and have qualified for the last 16 of the Europa League.
They have only lost one of their last nine games, an away loss at Arsenal last month. Brighton have never won the FA Cup but did make it to the final in 1983. Last season saw them make it to Wembley for a semi-final against Manchester United and only lost on penalties. That was their second semi-final appearance in the past five seasons.
This could have actually been the FA Cup final last season. While Brighton were beaten in one semi-final, United lost to Manchester City in the other. Sheffield United went on to win promotion that season but that run to the semi-final continued a good run of form in the FA Cup. They have reached the quarter finals in three of the last four seasons.
The Blades are currently bottom of the Premier League and seven points from safety They have only won two of their last 11 games with one of the victories at Gillingham in the third round. Their last five home FA Cup ties have all been won and they drew at Brighton earlier in the season.
This might just be one of the best FA Cup fourth round ties. Don't forget that by going to our FA Cup livescore page you can keep totally up to date with the FA Cup.
