Where do the priorities lie for Villa and Newcastle?
Aston Villa vs Newcastle – Saturday, 5.45pm
This is a difficult game for both teams given their current injury struggles and season priorities.
For Unai Emery’s side, the priority is clearly within the Premier League, with their full focus on fighting for football’s Champions League qualification. Midweek’s win over Brighton gave Liverpool some breathing room, eight points behind them, to be precise, but the Villa manager’s eyes are always on the league.
Injuries to John McGinn, Boubakar Kamara, Youri Tielemans, and most recently Matty Cash have made rotation difficult. Expect to see some familiar faces this time around.
As for Newcastle, they broke their winless run with a rare win away to Tottenham last time out, and in the process quieted the noise surrounding Eddie Howe’s future.
The Magpies still have hopes of breaking into European football in the league and the FA Cup represents their best chance to add to their trophy cabinet after seeing their quest to defend their Carabao Cup title fall short at the semi-final stage.
Newcastle continue to be plagued by injuries, but with Yoan Wissa, Sandro Tonali and Nick Woltemade on the bench for the win over Spurs, Howe could field a strong lineup to build momentum on the road. However, traveling to the villa is never easy.
Despite this, this match never disappoints. Expect a thrilling match between both teams who don’t like to lose to each other, regardless of the implications.
Patrick Lowe
Meeting of two managers that requires an elevator
Liverpool vs. Brighton – Saturday, 8pm
As Arne Slott himself admits, things haven’t gone according to plan for Liverpool this season. This week, thanks to Virgil van Dijk’s header from a set piece, they overtook Sunderland and moved within two points of fifth-placed Chelsea, but it was far from what the champions expected. So the prize money has to be found elsewhere and the FA Cup presents an opportunity for slots.
Liverpool have so far found it easier to deliver performances away from the pressure of defending their title. They are a force in Europe and Slott will know that if his team is to remain relevant, they must try to finish near the top of both of their remaining cup competitions. It might just be papering over the cracks, but he can’t afford to let this season go to nothing. Not this early anyway.
As for Brighton, Fabian Hürzeler is in an even more dire situation than the Dutchman. There are growing calls for change on the south coast after defeat to Aston Villa in midweek left them just seven points clear of the relegation zone.
Hürzeller was running out of time. However, Brighton knocked Manchester United out of the FA Cup to create this draw, and another big scalp should help them regain support. But if they lose, the graffiti will surely remain on the wall.
laura hunter
Leeds must not be complacent ahead of Birmingham Test
Birmingham City vs Leeds United – Sunday, 12pm
Leeds have had a great run of form recently, but Daniel Farke’s side will have to be wary of the upcoming challenge at Birmingham, as attention has shifted back to the FA Cup.
The form suggests that Falke’s Leeds have finally cracked the code and adapted to the top flight. There were question marks over whether Farke was the right person to oversee a return to the Premier League after reaching 100 points in the Championship last season.
Despite a difficult start, a record of just two losses in 13 games and a six-point buffer in the drop zone with 12 games left would suggest the transition has been a positive one.
However, the FA Cup is an opportunity for Farke’s side to continue their good form at Elland Road, so they must beat an equally in-form Birmingham side.
The Blues are unbeaten in their last eight games and sit 10th in the Championship. Leeds, who have drawn away in 37 of their 47 FA Cup matches since 2000, came from behind against Derby County but won 3-1.
Ben Brereton Dias’ opener at Pride Park was a reminder that they are now part of the Premier League, so there is more chance of scalps away.
William Bitibili
Wolves head to Grimsby for Classic Cup test
Grimsby Town vs Wolves – Sunday, 1.30pm
A tricky FA Cup draw on a muddy pitch was the last thing rock-bottom Wolves were hoping for, but that’s what awaits them at Blundell Park when they take on giant killers Grimsby Town.
The League Two side famously defeated Ruben Amorim’s Manchester United and Championship side Sheffield Wednesday in the Carabao Cup earlier this season, but they have also beaten three professional non-league sides to reach this stage of the FA Cup.
The Mariners are also chasing promotion in League Two, unbeaten in their last nine games with six wins and on the cusp of a play-off spot after a nail-biting win against Accrington in midweek that left the pitch in a state of despair.
The FA Cup is the only game left for the doomed Wolves as they hope to repeat Wigan’s unexpected success in 2013, when they beat Man City at Wembley but were relegated from the Premier League.
They at least showed they can avoid an upset in the cup by defeating Shrewsbury Town in the last game. Could you do that on a cold, wet and muddy Sunday afternoon in Grimsby?
david richardson
Sunderland could end 11-year wait for fifth round appearance
Oxford United v Sunderland – Sunday, 2pm
The last time the two teams met was at the Kassam Stadium, where Oxford United defeated Sunderland 2-0.
A lot has happened since then and eventual Championship play-off winners Sunderland are now almost certain to remain in the Premier League, while Oxford are languishing in the relegation zone of England’s second tier.
Regis Le Bris and his Black Cats will be hoping to make more history by beating Oxford to reach the fifth round for the first time in 11 years.
Sunderland will be hoping to bounce back with a win despite their dreadful home run ending their unbeaten run against Liverpool on Wednesday.
After a 3-0 loss to Norwich at Patch, there will be a feeling that Oxford may not be as big of an obstacle as the Americans hope. But at the end of the day, it’s the FA Cup.
William Bitibili
Pottery is all the rage in the backdrop of Fulham season
Stoke City vs Fulham – Sunday, 2pm
Fulham’s awkward trip to the Potteries to face Stoke City on Sunday afternoon is hugely significant from a season perspective.
The Cottages won all of their top-flight matches in November and made a breakthrough in the Premier League, but reached a breaking point sometime in the new year, suffering a narrow loss to Newcastle in the quarter-finals and being eliminated from the Carabao Cup.
This leaves the FA Cup as the only chance this season for the West London club to lift a major trophy for the first time in their history, but on a rainy February afternoon at the bouncy Bet365 Stadium it will not be an easy challenge for Marco Silva and his players.
However, they have struggled in recent years in the Championship and if they can overcome that against Stoke, who have not won since defeating Coventry City in the third round on January 10, they will end Fulham’s stagnant season and finally keep their silver medal hopes alive.
rich morgan
Arsenal need Jesus’ shot in FA Cup reset
Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic – Sunday, 4.30pm
The FA Cup weekend comes at a good time for Arsenal. They have been given a chance to reset after a tough week in the title race, which saw Manchester City come from behind to beat Liverpool, lose Kai Havertz to injury and drop a point at Brentford.
While Havertz’s injury is not thought to be long-term, it increases the need for other players to step up in Mikel Arteta’s front line in the short term. Sunday’s game against Wigan could be an opportunity for Gabriel Jesus to build up his form and fitness.
The 28-year-old has performed well here and there since returning from an anterior cruciate ligament injury in December, registering four goals and one assist in just 560 minutes. But can he find the rhythm and stability Arsenal need for the run-in?
Victor Goqueres was favored against Brentford, with Jesus an unused substitute in a game characterized by long balls and set pieces. However, with Havertz as well as Mikel Merino sidelined, the 28-year-old’s strong performance against Wigan could benefit everyone.
Jesus needs a few minutes. Gokeres need competition. And after a difficult week, Arsenal need players to step up and add some attacking spark. Free-spirited and a threat to any defense, Jesus is more than capable of making a difference.
nick wright
Mack’s offense aims for another upset.
Macclesfield vs Brentford – Monday, 7.30pm
Macclesfield won’t be able to do the same again, will they? This year’s FA Cup favorites are in top form as they aim for another giant killing.
Silkman stunned holders Crystal Palace with a 3G pitch early last month and hasn’t looked back. Wayne’s younger brother, John Rooney, has won six of his last seven league games and qualified for the National League North playoff race.
During this period, they scored an incredible 22 goals, with forward Dimani Mellor scoring seven of them, and Macclesfield continued their excellent home run with 33 points in 16 games.
There is no doubt that Brentford, under manager Keith Andrews, are humble enough and wise enough not to take them lightly. Palace rotated their squad but were embarrassed by a team 117th below them in the league standings.
There are currently 114 clubs between them, but on Monday night at Macclesfield, that gap may feel much smaller.
david richardson