FA Cup 5th Round Preview
Fixtures
Saturday, Feb 18th 2006
Liverpool v/s Manchester United
Bolton v/s West Ham
Newcastle v/s Southampton
Charlton v/s Brentford
Sunday, Feb 19th 2006
Preston North End v/s Middlesborough
Stoke City v/s Birmingham City
Chelsea v/s Colchester United
Aston Villa v/s Manchester City
Liverpool v/s Manchester United
The biggest fixture of the 5th round and what a huge match this is going to be. Both sides evenly matched and are currently in great form so this one is going to be a classic.
Liverpool would want revenge as Man Utd had beaten them earlier this season. What will happen in this match only time can tell but this one is going to be a thriller!!!!!
Since it is at Anfield Liverpool will have the psychological advantage but Man Utd have been very impressive away from home this season. Both sides are within 4 pts of each other in the premiership and this win would certainly boost their confidence, especially for Liverpool who have an all important Champions League Fixture coming up.
Good news for Man Utd fans as they have been scoring goals consistently and Ruud Van Nistelrooy and Cristiano Ronaldo are in the form of their lives.
Robbie Fowler still hasn’t scored his first goal since his move from Man. City and what better occasion than this, can he and Liverpool see Man Utd off and book a place in the Quarter-finals or will the Red Devils triumph yet again……..Only time will tell!!!!!!!!
Prediction:
Liverpool 2 - 1 Man Utd [Nistelrooy ,Gerrard , Fowler]
Man to Watch: Robbie Fowler
Bolton Wanderers v/s West Ham
One can say this will be the 2nd best fixture in this round but this one also promises to be a ripper. Both sides doing really well in the league and its hard to say who has the upper hand. Bolton has one of the meanest defences at home and West Ham have scored 5 goals in 2 of their previous away games. Bolton goal keeper Jussi Jasskelinen has been in outstanding form and a lot will depend on his goal keeping if Bolton want to win. Bolton knocked out holders Arsenal in the 4th round and clearly their confidence is sky high.
But West Ham have been in scintillating form of late and that is mainly due to Marlon Harewood and Anton Ferdinand who have been in superb form. Both these sides are fighting for a place in Europe and this will surely be one of the best matches in the round.
The last time these two sides met Bolton won 2 – 1 away from home but with 4 draws from their previous 5 matches, West Ham are looking to be the better team who are in a 5 match winning streak.
Prediction:
Bolton 1 – 2 West Ham [Nolan, Harewood and Zamora]
Man to Watch: Marlon Harewood
Newcastle United v/s Southampton
Newcastle haven’t been in the best of form lately but on paper they clearly are the stronger side. But one cannot right off Southampton. They are 15th in the 3rd division but they are a far better team than that. But obviously Newcastle will be favorites in this clash as it’s at St. James Park and with Shearer finding his goal scoring touch things are looking good for Newcastle as they go into this fixture with a win over Aston Villa.
Southampton are the underdogs in this fixture but could they have Giant – killing on their minds!!!!
Prediction:
Newcastle 3 – 1 Southampton
Man to Watch: Alan Shearer
Chelsea v/s Colchester United
One of the most one sided matches in the history of the competition but is there a chink in the Chelsea armour!!!! Middlesborough certainly took advantage of it as they beat the Blues 3 – 0. So will Chelsea look to avenge their defeat or will we see the biggest upsets of the season.
Chelsea going into this match after they beat Everton 4 – 1 and the return of Didier Drogba returning from the African Cup of Nations would add to the worries of Colchester. Chelsea would be looking to get back to winning ways ahead of their crucial Champions League tie against Barcelona.
Prediction: Chelsea 4 – 0 Colchester [Lampard, Crespo, and Gudjohnsen]
Man to Watch: Hernan Crespo
Aston Villa v/s Manchester City
Yet another all premiership clash, Manchester City look to extend their unbeaten run as they make their trip to Villa Park. Aston Villa haven’t had a great campaign this season but they certainly have what it takes to make it to the Quarters.
Joey Barton is looking in great touch and he clearly has been city’s best performer this season. One of the major worries for city will be Andy Cole’s absence who is out with a knee injury. Darius Vassell will play a key role if City wants victory.
Aston Villa will have the home advantage but they will be severely tested by the travelers and their attack will have to fire if they hope to advance to the Quarters.
Prediction:
Aston Villa 1 – 3 Man City [Vassell, Sinclair, Barton and Barry]
Man to Watch: Darius Vassell
0 Comment(s)
FA CUP 2006