Following a week of mixed fortunes for the English sides in Europe, attention reverts to domestic matters this weekend as the FA Cup reaches the quarter-final stage. The clash at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Arsenal is likely to generate most interest, and with the destination of the Premier League title increasingly unclear, this competition may now represent more than a consolation prize for these two sides. Elsewhere tomorrow, Bolton travel to St. Andrew’s to take on Birmingham, whilst on Sunday Stoke play host to West Ham before Reading, the last remaining representative of the Football League, meet Manchester City at Eastlands. Richard Bourne take a look at the ties and chances his arm with a prediction for each.
Birmingham City vs. Bolton Wanderers – Saturday 12.45pm
Birmingham have come back down to earth with a thud following their Carling Cup heroics, with just one point from their last two league outings leaving them perilously close to a place in the bottom three. With a trophy already in the bag this season, there is an argument to suggest that Alex McLeish should rest some key players for this one in an attempt to preserve energy levels for what will be a crucial run-in. However, with another trip to Wembley on offer for Blues fans along with the much needed extra revenue that the semi-final will bring in, it may be difficult for McLeish to accept this game as a lesser priority.
A FA Cup semi-final spot would be just reward for Owen Coyle and the work that he has done at Bolton Wanderers. Having rescued the Trotters from the brink of relegation following his appointment last season, the brand of football that Coyle has brought to the Reebok Stadium is not only the antithesis of the sleep-inducing fare his predecessor served up but has also proved to be successful. Coyle’s men will be in confident mood following their rollercoaster win over Aston Villa last weekend, and in the absence of Daniel Sturridge who is cup tied, Ivan Klasnic will hope to continue making an impression in the competition: he scored the winner for Bolton in both the fourth and fifth rounds.
The Football Blog Prediction: 1-2
Manchester United vs. Arsenal – Saturday 5.15pm
Sir Alex Ferguson broke his much publicised media silence yesterday to emphasise the risk he feels Arsenal present to Manchester United securing their 19th league title. However, before Premier League battle resumes Ferguson will be hoping his side can land a psychological blow on their nearest rivals with victory in this game. United head into the tie as favourites, although Ferguson will be mindful of the Marseille game on Tuesday and may opt to rest one or two first team regulars. Regardless, following two defeats playing 4-4-2, the United manager should switch back to the 4-5-1 he favours employing when United come up against their main rivals .
Following their first leg Champions League victory over Barcelona, Arsene Wenger spoke optimistically about the possibility of his side recording an historic treble. Fast forward three weeks and the picture looks very different, with half of that quartet of trophies now out of reach for the North London side. There is little doubt that the Premier League now represents the priority for Wenger, so it will be interesting to see the team he puts out at Old Trafford tomorrow. With Cesc Fabregas, Alex Song, Wojciech Szczesny and Theo Walcott all out, it would not be a great surprise if Wenger sacrificed a third piece of silverware in order to ready his troops for a title push.
The Football Blog Prediction: 2-1
Stoke City vs. West Ham United – Sunday 2.00pm
Having picked up just one point in their last four league outings, a run which included a 3-0 defeat to tomorrow’s opposition just last weekend, Stoke are getting sucked uncomfortably close to the relegation zone. Are teams finally getting to grips the Potters’ direct style of play? Tony Pulis may be inclined to make a few changes for this one, with Thomas Sorenson already confirmed to start between the sticks. Pulis took the squad go-karting on Tuesday by way of some light relief from training, and he will be hoping that the exercise will have focused his players’ minds enough to secure a FA Cup semi-final berth before pulling themselves away from the relegation mire.
A battling second half comeback against West Brom to secure a 3-3 draw and two subsequent successive victories appear to have given West Ham fresh hope in their survival battle. Whilst it would be unfair to attribute their renaissance to individual players, the introduction of Demba Ba and Thomas Hitzlsperger to certainly seems to have given fresh impetus to Avram Grant’s side, whilst Scott Parker continues to pull the strings from midfield in impressive fashion. A trip to Wembley for a FA Cup semi-final may make up for the missed opportunity in the League Cup although, like their Stoke counterparts, securing Premier League football next season may represent rather more of a priority for Hammers fans.
The Football Blog Prediction: 1-1
Manchester City vs. Reading – Sunday 4.45pm
Being a Manchester City fan at present must a particularly frustrating experience, with the side all too often failing to reach the heights of which they are obviously capable. Last weekend’s less than convincing display against Wigan was a case in point, with victory only assured against the basement side courtesy of a goalkeeping error from Ali Al Habsi. However, they remain in the hunt for three trophies and were gift wrapped their passage to the quarter-final of this one courtesy of Gerard Houllier’s inexplicable Aston Villa team selection in the fifth round. The onus is now on Roberto Mancini and his men to deliver the prizes their owners’ investment warrants.
As with most of the other sides in the quarter-finals, Reading go into their tie with plenty to play for in the remaining games of their league campaign. A play-off place remains within their reach, sitting as they do just five points off sixth place Nottingham Forest with ten games remaining. However, having dispatched with two Premier League sides to get this far, it seems unlikely that Brian McDermott will give up on the cup dream by fielding anything other than a full strength side. The Royals are in a rich vein of form at present having gone four league games unbeaten, scoring twelve goals in the process, and pose a genuine threat to City’s progress in this competition.
The Football Blog Prediction: 3-1
Let us know your thoughts on the ties and who you think will progress to the semi-finals at Wembley. As ever, enjoy the action this weekend
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