FA Cup is back!
FA Cup 5th Round
Queens Park Rangers vs. Watford
QPR beat Portsmouth 2-0 in replay to reach this round but they are currently 18th in the Championship and have not won a game since. Watford are 8th in the Premier League and have been brilliant under Gracia. This game is a London Derby and while the FA Cup can cause upsets the safe bet is that Watford reach the quarter finals.
Brighton vs. Derby County
Brighton beat West Brom 1-3 in the replay to reach this round as they sit 14th in the Premier League going into this game having not won a league game since December. Derby narrowly beat Stanley 0-1 in the 4th round as they sit 7th in the Championship having lost only 1 of their last 5 games. Derby are managed by Frank Lampard and have some brilliant talent in their ranks to get a win against Brighton. Brighton’s home form is great though and this fixture will be one to keep an eye on.
AFC Wimbledon vs. Millwall
Wimbledon are bottom of League One but beat West Ham 4-2 in the 4th round, as they look to continue their fairytale run. Millwall are 20th in the Championship but beat Everton 3-2 in the 4th round. Two teams from London with poor league form but surprising results in the Cup. This should be a fiery London Derby and it is too close to call.
Newport County vs. Man City
Newport County are 15th in League Two but beat Middlesbrough 2-0 in a 4th round replay. Man City are 1st in the league and come into this game with a full week of rest and having thrashed Chelsea 6-0. City have been unlucky in the FA Cup and while there is always room for an upset City should easily reach the quarters.
Bristol City vs. Wolverhampton
Bristol City are 5th in the Championship as they push for a place in next seasons Premier League, Bristol beat Bolton 2-1 in the 4th round. Wolves are 7th in the league and beat Shrewsbury 3-2 in a replay to reach the 5th round. Another great game hopefully with two teams in form and with Chelsea players involved on Bristol’s side the hope is that Bristol get the win but on paper the results slightly leans towards Wolves.
Doncaster vs. Crystal Palace
Doncaster are 5th in League One having beaten Oldham 2-1 in the 4th round. Palace are 13th in the Premier League and beat Tottenham 2-0 in the 4th round. On paper and with the quality available this should be a win for Palace although they are away and if they do not play with caution then Doncaster could cause an upset.
Swansea vs. Brentford
Swansea are 12th in the Championship having beaten Gillingham 4-1 to reach the 5th round. Brentford are 15th in the Championship having beaten Barnet 3-1 in the 4th round. Two teams in the same league and in similar positions. This game should be close to call but Swansea can use their home advantage and edge out a win.
La Liga MW 24
Atletico travel to Rayo Vallecano, Barcelona entertain Valladolid, Real Madrid welcome Girona, Sevilla play a tough game against Villareal. Barcelona still lead La Liga while the rest try to close the gap.
Serie A MW 24
Juventus welcome Frosinone, Milan travel to Atalanta for what is a tough game, Inter entertain Sampdoria, Napoli welcome Torino, and Roma entertain Bologna. Juventus are 11 points clear and really the top four race is the most interesting as Milan and Roma have a chance to turn the odds in their favour.
Bundesliga MW 22
Bayern travel to Augsburg, Leipzig travel to Stuttgart, Hoffenheim entertain Hannover, Monchengladbach play Frankfurt, Leverkusen entertain Dusseldorf, and Dortmund travel to Nurnberg as they try to win their first game in three. Dortmund seem to be feeling the heat as Bayern and the rest remain ready to pounce.
Ligue 1 MW 25
Lyon entertain Guingamp, Marseille welcome Amiens, Monaco welcome Nantes, Lille play a tough game against Montpellier, and PSG travel to St.Etienne. The race for the top four and Monaco’s survival are the real talking points of Ligue 1 with PSG already well on their way to winning it.
Park The Bus 