Top-flight Teams Gear Up For FA Cup At Weekend

Top-flight teams gear up for FA Cup at weekend (Image Source: IANS)

Tottenham Hotspur Stadium: This weekend sees the fourth round of the FA Cup in England, with no matches in either the Premier League or the second-tier Championship.

Bournemouth opened the 4th round of the cup with a 5-0 win at home to Swansea on Thursday night, ahead of four matches played on Friday, reports Xinhua.

The most attractive of those sees Tottenham, who could have James Maddison fit after three months out and who have reasons for optimism against Manchester City, who have lost and failed to score in their last five visits to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

Chelsea booked a place in the Carabao Cup final in midweek, but Aston Villa will be a difficult obstacle as Mauricio Pochettino's side looks to progress in the FA Cup.

Villa won at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League and has just two defeats in their last 21 games in all competitions.

Bristol City knocked West Ham out of the last round and the Championship side could have a chance against Nottingham Forest, a rival focused on avoiding relegation from the Premier League and with the threat of a points deduction hanging over them for breaching financial fair play regulations.

Saturday sees some all-Premier League clashes, with Everton at home to Luton, while bottom side Sheffield United entertains Brighton and Fulham hosts Newcastle United.

Fulham lost their Carabao Cup semifinal to Liverpool on Wednesday and has little recovery time against a rival that will see the Cup as the hope of saving a season that has been hit badly by suspension and injury.

Saturday's game between Championship high-fliers Ipswich Town and Maidstone will also attract a lot of attention as the side from the National League South looks to continue their incredible FA Cup adventure that began back in September in the second qualifying round.

Sunday starts with a Black Country derby that renews the traditional rivalry between West Brom and Wolves in the first competitive match between the two sides in 12 years.

Wolves is favorites after a six-game unbeaten run, but their Championship rivals have won their last four home games and the Hawthorns will be a hostile place for the visitors.

Liverpool should have few problems as they take on Championship rivals Norwich City, with the big question being how many changes coach Jurgen Klopp will make to his starting 11.

Fourth-tier Newport County entertains Manchester United looking for a giant-killing act. Erik Ten Hag's side clearly has a lot more quality than Newport, but a hostile crowd and a tight, muddy ground will test their determination and defeat would be a huge blow to an already questioned coach.