The road to Wembley takes a detour into midweek as the last 16 clubs remaining in the competition look to reach the Quarter Finals. Holders Arsenal were knocked out by Southampton in the last round, but there are plenty big boys still in the mix along with four Championship sides looking to cause an upset. So the Matchday FM team have given their thoughts and predictions ahead of what could be a dramatic few days of FA Cup football.
Burnley Vs Bournemouth
Chris Coughlin
Since successive wins over Liverpool & Aston Villa, Burnley have been nearly as solid. They’ve conceded seven goals in their last four Premier League games, including two in the win over Villa. They’re hosting a Bournemouth team who got a crucial win against Birmingham in their fight for an immediate return to the top flight and I think they’re focus on getting promoted vastly outweighs any sort of FA Cup ambitions.
Prediction: 2-0
Kieran Makin
Bournemouth are still searching for a manager after the sacking of Jason Tindall and, despite picking up a victory against struggling Birmingham on the weekend, I feel they just won’t have enough to get a result at Turf Moor. Expecting a tight game though.
Prediction: 2-1
Chris Stott
I see this as a real opportunity for Burnley to have a real go at trying to go deep into the competition. Favourable draw at home - but they had that against MK Dons and needed penalties! We know Bournemouth have decent quality, and having no permanent manager may make them dangerous. It's a chance for them to impress. But I'd like to think Dyche see's a chance of at least a Quarter Final in the Cup this year and will go strong.
Prediction: 2-0
Harry Reynolds
Burnley won the last four Premier League meetings between these sides before Bournemouth were relegated on the final day of last season. Prior to Saturday’s 3-2 win against Birmingham, they’d suffered four consecutive league defeats which resulted in the departure of manager Jason Tindall, leaving Jonathan Woodgate in temporary charge. He’ll be looking to land the job permanently, but will be judged more on league form, so I fancy Burnley to advance to the quarter finals with a comfortable win.
Prediction: 2-0
Manchester United Vs West Ham United
Chris Coughlin
This is a question of which Manchester United will turn up. One minute they’re losing to Sheffield United, then they hit nine against Southampton and then they concede a 95th minute equaliser to Everton in a game they should’ve won comfortably. Whilst their title hopes are hanging by a thread, they’re very much in the mix for the FA Cup. West Ham will feel like they are too and David Moyes says they’re going to take a strong team to Old Trafford so it should be a very interesting watch.
Prediction: 3-1
Kieran Makin
This could be tie of the week with both sides in great form. I feel both managers will see this competition as a genuine opportunity for silverware and I’m expecting an entertaining battle. Could go either way but I have to pick someone!
Predictions: 2-2 (Manchester United to win on penalties)
Chris Stott
I can't think of this fixture without seeing Barthez stood with his hand in the air as Di Canio prepares to dump United out of the cup... and honestly - I can see a strong case for the Hammers again! They've been outstanding this season and Moyes would love to have one over his old club. But, United showed against Everton they are brilliant with the ball - without it there are still question marks. I can see a classic with a dramatic United winner in Extra Time.
Prediction: 3-2 (AET)
Harry Reynolds
Having lost just once in the league in 2021, West Ham and David Moyes will fancy their chances as he returns to his old club. United have won only once in their last four league games, the 9-0 battering of Southampton, and will be reeling after Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s 95th minute equaliser for Everton at the weekend. The improvement in West Ham this season has been marked, but it’s worth remembering that David Moyes has still never won as a visiting manager at Old Trafford, and I can’t see that changing, though it will be tight.
Prediction: 2-1
Swansea City Vs Manchester City
Chris Coughlin
Swansea were close to causing one of the biggest shocks in recent reasons when they led 2-0 against City in 2019 before Pep Guardiola’s side controversially overcame the Championship side on their way to winning the trophy. The Swans are a good team and are flying under Steve Cooper this season but I just can’t see past City here. They’ve won 14 games in a row in all competitions and were at their devastating best at Anfield on Sunday. Pep many ring the changes but, when you have a squad of the quality of City’s, that rarely makes a difference to the result
Prediction: 0-3
Kieran Makin
Two sides that play a great brand of attacking football and are doing extremely well in their respective leagues. Having said that City are unstoppable at the minute and I fancy them to get the job done comfortably. They’re my favourites to lift the trophy as well. Phil Foden has been immaculate.
Prediction: 0-3
Chris Stott
Look, it's happened before with City! Wigan, three times for example! Middlesbrough did it too a few years back. They can come unstuck against lower league opposition. And Swansea are dynamite in the Championship. Steve Cooper is doing an unbelievable job there. They'll cause City and almighty scare! I could see them taking them all the way to Extra Time before the quality tells.
Prediction: 1-3 (AET)
Harry Reynolds
City are nothing short of unstoppable at the moment, evidenced by their 4-1 thumping of Liverpool at Anfield. They’ve won 14 games on the bounce in all competitions, and you couldn’t possibly bet against them doing that here. Swansea have been very impressive in the Championship this season and could be set to return to the top flight after their relegation three years ago, but their FA Cup run should end in this.
Prediction: 0-3
Leicester City Vs Brighton & Hove Albion
Chris Coughlin
In a similar way to Manchester United, Leicester are now all but out of the running for the Premier League title after their draw against Wolves to the Europa League and the FA Cup will be their best chances of winning a trophy this season. Brighton are in decent form and have dragged themselves well clear of relegation trouble in the last few weeks so I hope they have a go at the King Power. A key factor will be Jamie Vardy’s return, he scored twice in the league fixture earlier this season.
Prediction: 2-1
Kieran Makin
Brighton are in a rich vein of form but their priority is securing Premier League survival, whereas Leicester have Champions League ambitions. However, like United and West Ham, Leicester will see this as a good opportunity to win a trophy and they just have enough to get through this tie for me.
Prediction: 2-1
Chris Stott
For me, all Rodgers is missing at Leicester is a trophy. And this is the one they have a real shot at! I think they go strong here. I also think Brighton will go pretty much first choice given their upturn in form. They'll want to keep that momentum. But with Vardy back, and also Maddison and Barnes in good form, the Foxes take this for me.
Prediction: 2-0
Harry Reynolds
The only defeat Brighton have suffered in 2021 was a 1-0 defeat at Man City, and their form has been remarkable of late, including a win at Anfield to help them towards Premier League safety. They always seem to play well in big games, and they can cause Leicester a number of problems. The Foxes’ home form has been pretty poor all season, and Leeds turned them over last time out at the King Power. I think the visitors could spring a surprise here, though it may go all the way.
Prediction: 1-1 (Brighton on penalties)
Sheffield United Vs Bristol City
Chris Coughlin
Despite a spiriting run of form in the Premier League, defeat to Chelsea was another nail in Sheffield United’s relegation coffin. The wins against Bristol Rovers and Plymouth Argyle in the FA Cup have helped boost the Blades’ confidence massively but I just think it’ll be far too big an ask to stay up this season. Bristol City, meanwhile, continue to flatter to deceive in the Championship and are currently six points off the playoff places. I see this being a tight game between two teams I expect to meet in the second division next season. Prediction: 1-1 (Sheffield United win on penalties)
Kieran Makin
The Blades have picked up in the league and were unfortunate to not get anything from the game against Chelsea, meanwhile Bristol City have fallen off a cliff. Narrow win for Chris Wilder’s men.
Prediction: 1-0
Chris Stott
Bristol City will fancy this against the bottom club that's for sure. But I think Wilder will be possibly thinking can we do a Wigan here? Who knows!? Their upturn in form for me see's them over the line here, even though I see neither side looking to really seize the initiative for a while.
Prediction: 1-0
Harry Reynolds
This is a fantastic opportunity for Sheffield United to reach the last eight, with their upturn in form coupled with Bristol City plummeting, suffering four defeats in their last five league games. The Blades have shown signs of life in the Premier League and now have 11 points, but the damage may have already been done by their awful start. Wigan showed you can win the FA Cup and go down, so they’ll believe they can, and they should progress in this game.
Prediction: 1-0
Everton Vs Tottenham Hotspur
Chris Coughlin
The return of Harry Kane against West Brom has changed my expectations for this tie. Before that, I had Everton as favourite to over Jose Mourinho’s side but having Kane back completely changes the dynamic of the contest. Everton did brilliantly to fight back and gain a dramatic draw at Old Trafford & the Blues of course claimed a superb win in North London in their opening fixture in the Premier League in September but Kane and Heung-Min Son have caused the Blues plenty of problems before.
Prediction: 1-2
Kieran Makin
Two teams who will again fancy their chances of going all the way. Spurs got a win against lowly West Brom and have Harry Kane back, but they still don’t look great to me. Everton, on the other hand, are picking up big results and, if anyone can win them the trophy they’ve been longing for, it’s Carlo Ancelotti.
Prediction: 2-0
Chris Stott
Both will fancy their chances of going for Wembley here, at least for a Semi Final if not more. Everton showed character and quality at Old Trafford in the 3-3 draw. As for Spurs, Mourinho needs a trophy doesn't he - I mean he's already in one final but they're not winning anybody over with their style of play are they. I think it means more to the Toffees though and I fancy them on pens after a tight affair.
Prediction: 0-0 (Everton on penalties)
Harry Reynolds
Two teams desperate for a trophy meet at Goodison, although for one the wait will go on. Spurs do of course have the Carabao Cup final to contend in April, but I’m not sure many will fancy them to end Man City’s dominance in that. Everton will be buoyant following their dramatic draw at Old Trafford, and they beat Spurs 1-0 away from home on the opening day of the season. Jose Mourinho has been taking criticism from all quarters about his style of play, and it may suit Everton to sit back and hit them on the counter attack. I can see a repeat of that game from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.
Prediction: 1-0
Wolves Vs Southampton
Chris Coughlin
I though Saints did well in defeat to Newcastle just to show fight after the annihilation at Old Trafford but ultimately, they came away with nothing. Takumi Minamino made an instant impact and it will be good to see how he gets on with a consistent run of games in England. Wolves are in a sticky spell as well because, without Raul Jimenez, you really question how much of a threat they actually pose. The league fixture at Molineux ended 1-1 earlier this season and I’m finding it tough to separate the sides again
Prediction: 1-2 (AET)
Kieran Makin
Both really struggling at the moment and I don’t see it being a thriller. I’ve picked Wolves purely on the basis that I think they defend better than Southampton at the moment and they can nick a goal.
Prediction: 1-0
Chris Stott
Maybe just go straight to penalties? Wolves hardly score and were so lucky to get past Chorley, while Saints are still a tad depleted. Toss of a coin job. But what a morale boosting win it would be for the Saints if they can snatch it. Whoever wins could turn a mediocre season into a very decent one.
Prediction: 0-0 (Saints on penalties)
Harry Reynolds
They’ve been there and got up before, but Southampton once again find themselves at rock bottom. They suffered their fifth successive defeat in the league away at Newcastle on Saturday, who finished the game with nine men, and before that imploded to yet again lose 9-0 at Man United. Wolves are slowly clicking into gear and got a decent point against Leicester at Molineux on Sunday, and with Southampton’s confidence surely non-existent they can win a tight affair.
Prediction: 1-0
Barnsley Vs Chelsea
Chris Coughlin
One of the greatest days in Barnsley’s recent history came against Chelsea in 2008. Kayede Odejayi’s second-half winner sent the Tykes to the semi-finals at the expense of the holders. The Blues will be desperate for history not to repeat itself, this time against a Barnsley team who are doing well to avoid their “regular” relegation battle in the Championship. They beat Barnsley 5-0 in the league cup earlier this season including a hattrick from Kai Havertz and, whilst I don’t see it being as emphatic this time, I see expect Chelsea to continue their good start under Thomas Tuchel.
Prediction: 0-3
Kieran Makin
It’s been a great start by Thomas Tuchel at Chelsea and they can still in improve! A trophy wouldn’t do him any personal harm of keeping the job long-term and he won’t get a better chance to get into a quarter-final. The Blues have enough going forward to get past Championship opposition.
Prediction: 1-3
Chris Stott
Chelsea will have ALL the ball. It's about taking their chances. They've had their fortune with the draw again and it's a fabulous chance for Tuchel to progress and maybe get himself a Trophy in his first few months in the job. Barnsley will make it hard. They're having a decent season and played Norwich off the park last round. They'll get the odd chance, but can they take it?
Prediction: 0-2
Harry Reynolds
Chelsea have been doing what they do best in recent weeks - improving under a new manager. They’ve won three of their last four, and but for Antonio Rudiger’s comical own goal on Sunday they would’ve had four clean sheets in a row. Barnsley have been a surprise package in the Championship and are comfortably in mid table, having only survived relegation due to Wigan’s points deduction last season. That improvement shouldn’t see them shock Chelsea though, and the losing finalists from 2020.
Prediction: 0-2
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