The FA Cup fourth round sees some huge clashes including Tottenham against Manchester City and Blackburn host Wrexham. Our soccer expert previews the best of the ties, sharing betting tips.

 

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Tottenham vs Manchester City (Friday 20:00 UTC)

This match preview is easily the most prolific with two of the Premier League’s major clubs duking it out to progress into the next round. The Lily Whites will host the defending champions in an electric clash in North London. Tottenham earned a place in this round's draw by narrowly beating Burnley 1-0, while The Citizens were on autopilot with a 5-0 demolition of Championship side Huddersfield Town.

Ange Postecoglou's merry men emphatically initiated their Premier League campaign, with many a pundit placing them in the running to claim the title. Times have changed and so have fortunes in the months since being knocked out of the EFL Cup in the second round compliments of Fulham back in August, they also find themselves arguably out of the title race now as they falter in fifth place with 40 points - eight behind leaders Liverpool. The fans can usually console themselves out of domestic tribulations with continental adventures, though alas as they finished in eighth place in the 22/23 season even the Europa League Conference eludes them. Thus, the FA Cup it seems now is the only chance the beleaguered side has of garnering silverware this season. Tottenham Hotspur Handicap - Match +1.5 at 1.48.

The side's latest affray in domestic affairs concluded with a 2-2 draw with sleeping giants Manchester United. The match proved to be an entertaining one, with The Devils leading twice with goals followed by their opposition in quick succession. Old Trafford was delighted to see the likes of Marcus Rashford and Rasmus Højlund on the scoreboards, as much more has been expected of them this season. However, the travelling fanbase will bemoan the match as one of the missed opportunities with their side dominating the field with 64% possession and 16 attempts on goal, six of which were on target. A first-half goal from Richarlison was followed by Uruguayan international Rodrigo Bentancur in the second. The central midfielder seems to be back in the swing of things after injury woes in the season's first semester. Correct Score 1-2 at 9.10.

There was no David & Goliath outcome for The Terriers, as The Citizens commenced their attempt at subsequent FA Cup crowns with an evisceration of their lower-tiered opponents. An outcome that most would expect from the World Club Cup champions, as they cruised to the final whistle with an eyewatering 84% possession, complimented by a 94% pass accuracy. English international Phil Foden snagged a brace during proceedings, adding to his tally of 11 goals across all competitions. The reigning title holders have now scored at least two goals in their last nine matches across all tournaments. Manchester City Goals 5+ at 12.66.

In league affairs, they played The Magpies at St. James's Park in a match where they were on the back foot for most of 90 minutes, until Kevin de Bruyne emerged from the bench in the 2nd half to hit the net and grabbed an assist following a sublime pass deep into injury time to Oscar Bobb. Three points were thus garnered, and the title race was blown wide open once more. Campaign efforts will be helped on further with Pep Guardiola's men enjoying a game in hand to be played on the 20th of February against Brentford.

Tottenham will have to dig deep for this encounter against their rampant Manchester opponents. With world-class talent unleashed once more and a penchant for lethality in every minute of a match, most would say it'll be a heavy ask of a win for the hosts. However, they'll draw inspiration from the fact that City have lost all five games at Spurs' new stadium without scoring a single goal - so there may be some hope for them yet.

1x2 4.50 4.42 1.699

 

Fulham vs Newcastle United (Saturday 19:00 UTC)

Fulham host Newcastle at Craven Cottage, with both sides eager to progress into the next round as other opportunities for accolades elsewhere have diminished. The Cottagers roll into the weekend after falling afoul of Jurgen Klopp's men in the EFL Cup semi-final, while Newcastle seek to erase the memory of their four-loss streak in the Premier with glories in England's oldest competition. The hosts progressed into this round after beating Rotherham United 1-0, while the visitors rolled over North-East rivals Sunderland 3-0.

All was looking well for Marco Silva's team in the first leg of their League Cup match against Liverpool, leading proceedings 1-0 deep in the second half until all was undone by Curtis Jones in the 68th minute and Cody Gakpo in the 71st minute. A consolation goal from Issa Diop in the 2nd leg was of meagre consolation when the 2nd leg ended 1-1. Fans will have to look to this match now for the opportunity to garner their first major trophy since the club's conception 145 years ago. The club currently finds themselves in the 13th position with twenty-four points for their efforts, many can expect a similar middle-table finish, though with only eight points between them and the relegation zone they'll have to keep their wits about them to avoid catastrophe. Fodé Ballo-Touré, Alex Iwobi and Calvin Bassey are all omitted from this fixture due to international call-ups. Fulham to Score? 1st Half - No at 1.689.

The Magpies enjoyed a prolific and historic 3-0 victory over North-East rivals Sunderland in the third round, a brace from Alexander Isak and a tragic own goal from Daniel Ballard, earned them bragging rights. Fans could've been left in dreamland after that derby with a win over Manchester City, but alas fell victim to a lauded Kevin De Bruyne substitute leaving them with a 3-2 loss. They are currently in the mid-table doldrums in tenth place with their 22/23 fourth finishing position and subsequent Champions League return a forgotten dream. Though with 17 matches left to play, a chance to ascend the table and hope for European qualification is still on the cards. Manager Eddy Howe will bemoan the loss of Joelinton for the rest of the season with injury, though will be happy with Alexander Isak's form this season following his return from injury as the Swedish international now has 14 goals in his tally across all competitions. Newcastle United Team Total - Match Over 1.5 at 2.14.

Although home advantage goes to Fulham, the away side have arguably the better squad and are pipped for a return to better days soon. This will be an extremely close contest, though no doubt we will see some goals on the scoreboard and ultimately could be a narrow win for The Magpies.

1x2 2.96 3.62 2.34

 

 

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Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham (Monday 19:30 UTC) 

The final FA Cup match of the weekend and our preview is a lower-league clash in Northwest England. Rovers host Wrexham at Ewood Park, in an interesting matchup of teams with prolific accomplishments both past and present. Blackburn proceeded to this round after brushing aside Cambridge United 5-2, while The Red Dragons shimmied past Shrewsbury Town with a close-fought 1-0 victory.

The hosts currently find themselves in 17th position of the EFL Championship with 33 points and a negative 12 goal difference, half the points of current division leaders Leicester City. Fans can rest easy knowing that the team can likely stave off relegation, although the situation is still precarious as they hover over seven other teams also fighting to avoid the plunge. The club's latest foray in the league was a meek affair ending 1-1 with fellow Northerners, Huddersfield Town. All looked well initially as Adam Wharton struck early in the seventh minute, but this was quickly negated by Michal Helik in the 23rd minute. Total - Match Over 2.5 at 1.465.

Wharton's efforts over the season have attracted various Premier League clubs' attention, indeed Crystal Palace placed a £18.5m bid for him unsuccessfully during the week, it'll be likely he'll be moving home this summer. The Rovers faithful can hope for a better tomorrow as this league campaign has drawn a dud in stark contrast to the seventh place, they ended the 22/23 season on. Perhaps they can eschew the odds and garner cup glory, to bring back the heady joys of the 94/95 season where the club lifted the Premier League trophy.

Wrexham, in contrast, are having a sumptuous time of it this season and currently find themselves 2nd in League Two, just two points behind Stockport County. Indeed, the side could well have found themselves astride the division going into this weekend, though alas they were outdone by Welsh rivals Newport County 1-0. Seb Palmer-Houlden put the game to bed, with a solitary goal in the 34th minute and it appears The Dragons were lucky to not have more put on the scoreboard against them as County had 16 attempts on goal total to Wrexham's paltry four. It should only be a speedbump in their season however as they have won three of their last five games. Many will now be looking to the last match of the season which could prove to be a decisive one as Wrexham will welcome Stockport to the STōK Cae Ras Stadium on the 24th of April.

Recent proclivities aside, the oldest club in Wales and the third-oldest professional association football team in the world.has exceeded expectations after making history last season by earning a record 111 points from 46 games to be promoted from the National League. Few could have anticipated such a meteoric rise, although when actors Reynolds and McElhenney invested in the club in November 2020, they seemed to have revitalised aspirations for many accolades yet to come. Critical to the teams' recent efforts has been Paul Mullin, who has 12 goals for his tally this season across all competitions. In a different timeline he could have been playing for the opposition, as ironically, he was on Blackburn's transfer radar back in 2021. Wrexham Team Total - 1st Half - Over 0.5 at 2.21.

A great cup matchup here of two sides on either side of Fortuna's current favour. Many could be forgiven for thinking this was probably a done deal for Rovers, though the Dragons are full of vigour and are emboldened following a string of recent successes, so there could be an upset.

 

1x2 1.699 4.22 4.14

 

Full list of FA Cup Fourth Round fixtures 

Thursday 25th January 

Bournemouth vs Swansea (19:45)

 

Friday 26th January

Sheffield Wednesday vs Coventry (19:45)

Chelsea vs Aston Villa (19:45)

Bristol City vs Nottingham Forest (19:45)

Tottenham vs Manchester City (20:00)

 

Saturday 27th January

Ipswich Town vs Maidstone United (12:30)

Sheffield United vs Brighton (15:00)

Leeds United vs Plymouth Argyle (15:00)

Leicester City vs Birmingham (15:00)

Everton vs Luton Town (15:00)

Fulham vs Newcastle (19:00)

 

Sunday 28th January

West Brom vs Wolves (11:45)

Watford vs Southampton (14:00)

Liverpool vs Norwich City (14:30)

Newport County vs Manchester United (16:30)

 

Monday 29th January

Blackburn Rovers vs Wrexham (19:30)

 

**Odds are subject to change. Odds accurate as of 12:00 UTC Friday 26th January**

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