Birmingham v Newcastle
Championship leaders Birmingham host an improving Newcastle side, which got a 2-2 draw against Manchester United last week. This match should prove to be a tight contest as Birmingham are aiming to carry their league form into this game against a team full of the walking wounded. However, Newcastle has been doing pretty well in cup competitions this season and would surely want to win a piece of silverware, something which they have not done since 1969.
Birmingham(out): Mikael Forssell, Mehdi Nafti(suspended), Cameron Jerome(doubtful)
Newcastle(out): Damien Duff(knee), Charles N'Zogbia(knee), Olivier Bernard (hip), Craig Moore (hamstring), Stephen Carr (foot) and Celestine Babayaro (hamstring) and Titus Bramble(calf)
Chelsea v Macclesfield
Paul Ince, the League Two Manager of the Month for December, would be leading a Macclesfield side that is on hot form at the current moment (unbeaten in last 10 games) to a not so hot Chelsea who has been on a 3 games drawing streak. Macclesfield would no doubt be geared up for the match as winning this match would earn the club a shocking £1million. Paul Ince might look to pile on the attack as Chelsea will be going into the match without their top two goalkeepers Petr Cech and Carlo Cudicini, and racist captain John Terry. However, Chelsea should ease pass Macclesfield easily unless they are still in the mood of Thanksgiving.
Chelsea(out): John Terry (back); Arjen Robben (hamstring); Carlo Cudicini (thigh); Petr Cech (skull); Joe Cole (foot) and Khalid Boulahrouz (knee)
Doncaster v Bolton
Bolton have a history of poaching old players from anonymity and bringing them into new depths of mediocrity. Apparently playing to stabilize their place in the Premiership, they are in with a good shout for Europe next season, where they just might start getting cards for their sly fouls. DoncasterBolton off the park. El Hajid Diouf is especially hated by fans throughout the country for his play acting and arrogant attitude. He has also said that fans only boo good players, leading us to ponder if the bad players really get all the cheers. Nicolas Anelka, is on fire, months after moving to his 10923542357th club and is a very huge threat. are unlikely to pose much problems to them and their best chance of getting something out of the game is to just kick
Moving on to the 4th round of the FA cup seems to be a mere formality for Bolton, if they put out a full strength squad. However, knowing Sam Allardyce, he would probably field a weakened team just to go against my predictions.
Doncaster (out): Gareth Roberts
Bolton (out): Ivan Campo(suspended), Henrik Pedersen(calf), Stelios Giannakopoulos(doubtful), El Hadji Diouf(doubtful), Kevin Nolan(doubtful) and Quinton Fortune(doubtful)
3-0 to Bolton
Hull v Middlesbrough
Boro are off the pace with only 2 wins in the past 5 games. Struggling near the bottom of the table, they have only Watford, West Ham and Charlton to thank for being worst than them, thus keeping them out of the relegation zone. Hull are in a similar position and honestly, have been crap lately. Relegation to League 1 is a distinct possibility unless they get a sudden streak of luck. Mark Viduka, last seen competing with Fat Ronalo and Frank Lampard in the ‘Who ate all the pies?’ contest, is said to be wanting a move. Honestly, it is easy to understand his position but the problem is, are the interested clubs ready to inherit a very high bill for their future meals? His form is not really impressive, with 4 goals so far. However, this is the perfect stage for him to prove that fat strikers can score.
This is a battle between two teams in the same boat, kind of like Noah’s Ark. However, one team has to be kicked out of this competition, giving new twist to the Bible’s tale. Perhaps, it is time for Hull to ponder, how?
Hull (out): Boaz Myhill (groin), Damien Delaney(suspended) and Dean Marney(suspended)
Middlesbrough (out): Woodgate (knee), Andrew Davies (doubtful) and Chris Riggott (doubtful)
1-1 (Hull wins replay on penalties)
Leicester v Fulham
Fulham are once again flying high, undoubtedly due to ‘Mr. Aeroplane’ Vincenzo Montella, whom they have just signed on loan. They go up against Leicester, a team struggling near the depths of the Championship. Leicester come on the back of a 2-0 defeat by Sunderland that is likely to lower their morale. Fulham have looked impressive at times but are too inconsistent to challenge for Europe and have drawn their previous two games. Boa Morte has just left Fulham for the lights of West Ham. Ironically, West Ham are in the north part of London, exactly the opposite of where Morte’s career seems to be going. Anyhow, this is the FA cup, where upsets are always likely, so Leicester might field a full-strength side in the hopes of getting something out of the game.
With Fulham’s erratic performances thus far, it is hard to see them making this easy on themselves. Papa Diop might want to let Leicester know ‘who’s their daddy’ and could possibly be captain. Liam Rosenior is prone to careless mistakes and could gift a goal or a penalty.
Leicester (out): Elvis Hammond (doubtful), Andy Johnson (ankle) and Momo Sylla (groin)
Fulham (out): Antti Niemi (neck), Papa Bouba Diop, Claus Jensen, Zat Knight, Jimmy Bullard and Ian Pearce (doubtful)
2-1 to Fulham.
Nottm Forest v Charlton
Struggling Charlton go in on the back of a 4-0 drubbing by Arsenal, with morale at a low. Alan Pardew has very little chances of saving the Reds from relegation and will want to try to at least win some silverwear this season. To be honest, Alan is not a particularly good manager as he performs badly in alternate seasons. Alan has just been cleared of an improper conduct charge, which is ironic as he has said he was kind of wrong to behave as he did. The Addicks are appealing the red card decision for Osei Sankofa as they look to have him back in the starting lineup. Nottm Forestrd in the League One, but unfortunately, are a long way from their old glory days. Their form has been bad recently but they will be looking to bounce back. Grant Holt, their top scorer, is Championship class and could cause some problems to Charlton.
Nottm Forest (out): Kris Commons (hamstring), John Thompson (cup-tied) Danny Cullip (suspended) and Sammy Clingan (suspended)
Charlton (out): Darren Bent (knee), Hermann Hreidarsson (tendonitis problem), Scott Carson (LFC deny them from playing him), Osei Sankofa (suspended), Luke Young, Andy Reid (hamstring)
0-0. (Charlton wins 1-0 on replay)
Portsmouth v Wigan
Harry Redknapp and Paul Jewell goes head to head in this FA Cup 3rd Round as Paul Jewell looks to get his side, who has been poor this campaign, back on track. Meanwhile, Harry Redknapp is looking forward to this game as he views the FA Cup as a welcome distraction from the pressures of Premiership football. Wigan would definitely need this win as they are looking to regain their dwindling fanbase. However, Wigan is struggling with injury and would need nothing short of a miracle to overcome 6th place Portsmouth.
Portsmouth(out): Svetoslav Todorov(groin), Lomana Lua Lua
Wigan(out): Arjan de Zeeuw(big toe), Josip Skoko, Henri Camara, Paul Scharner and Luis Antonio Valencia
Reading v Burnley
Reading are surprisingly high up in the EPL, doing a decent job of impersonating Wigan’s tremendous first season. Thus far, they have taken points off the top sides and shown that they are not to be trifled with. Their main weapon is their great teamwork and passion for the game. They rarely let their heads down before the match is over and thus, are now sitting in a spot for EuropeBurnley do not have a single win in their past 5 games and look to be slipping off their mid table spot. Andy Gray is their main threat, with 10 goals so far. Ade Akinbiyi also returns to Burnley after leaving for Sheff Utd just one year earlier, bringing back memories of Rafa Benitez purchase and sale of Fernando Morientes. Seol Ki-Hyeon of Reading has drawn raves from various journalists after joining and with 3 goals, could make this Seol easy for Reading. next season.
4-0 to Reading.
Watford v Stockport
Watford are almost certainly relegated in their first season in the EPL, with manager Adrian Boothroyd saying they will accomplish ‘mission impossible’ and stay in the Premiership. StockportWatford will stick to their direct, physical approach and Stockport might have to show their muscle in this tight match. have had erratic results recently and this will be a tough on to win.
Hard to predict, will be a tight match with most of the football being in the middle of the pitch.
0-1 to Stockport.
West Ham v Brighton
With both sides struggling in the league West Ham and Brighton will be hoping the FA Cup brings some welcome respite from their dismal campaign. West Ham, last season’s runner-up, would definitely want to improve on last week’s 6-0 thumping by Reading while Brighton have lost their last 4games and would certainly look to improve. With new boy Luis Boa Morte going straight into the team for this match, it is clear that Alan Curbishley is expecting nothing but a win. Dean Wilkins' side will go into Upton Park with real hope that they can do some ‘giant-killing’ as West Ham have already fallen to lower-league opposition in the cup this season as Chesterfield knocked them out of the Carling Cup in October.
West Ham(out): Lee Bowyer(dislocated shoulder), Dean Ashton
Brighton(out): Adam Hinshelwood(knee), Dean Cox(suspension), Nathan Elder(cup tied)
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