FA Cup Round 4 preview - Part One

The FA Cup is back this weekend (29-30 January 2011), this is our preview ahead of the 16 fixtures played this Saturday and Sunday, including highlights from some of the amazing games in round 3. 15 Premier League sides survived the threat of a third round giant killing to reach the fourth round. However the number of top flight clubs in round five is guaranteed to be less with five all Premier League clashes taking place this weekend.

Crawley Town continue to fly the flag for non-league football, adding Derby County to their impressive list of scalps en route to the last 32. Their reward is a trip to League Two outfit Torquay United who narrowly saw off Carlisle United 1-0 at Plainmoor in round three. Both sides are sure to fancy their chances of victory on Saturday and hopefully securing a money spinning fifth round tie with a Premier League club in the process.

Defending champions Chelsea face a tricky fourth round tie at Everton having begun their defence in round three with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Ipswich Town at Stamford Bridge. Promising young striker Daniel Sturridge capped an impressive display with two goals and is likely to feature once again as manager Carlo Ancelotti gives fringe players a chance to shine.

The Toffees produced arguably the most impressive display of the third round when defeating Championship side Scunthorpe United 5-1 at Glanford Park and will be out to gain revenge for the agonising 2-1 defeat by Chelsea in the 2008/2009 FA cup final.

11 times FA cup winners Manchester United saw off a spirited Liverpool challenge in the third round and now face League One Southampton who comfortably disposed of Blackpool in the last round. 17-year-old Saints midfielder Alex Chamberlain has attracted interest from a number of Premier League clubs after an eye-catching start to his professional career and his performance on Saturday will be watched closely with the transfer window coming to an end on Monday night.

Last year Championship club Reading reached the quarter finals after an impressive cup run that saw them take out Premier League sides in Liverpool and Burnley. They started this year's campaign by claiming another top flight scalp with a 1-0 win over West Bromwich Albion. That victory secured them a fourth round tie against the giant killers of round three Stevenage, who defeated Newcastle United 3-1 on an unforgettable night for the club, who will look to once again make home advantage count.

Arsenal overcame a resilient Ipswich Town side on Tuesday night to secure their place in the Carling Cup final as they edge closer and closer to ending the club's recent silverware drought. They're back in action on Sunday afternoon when they welcome Huddersfield Town to the Emirates stadium. Arsene Wenger could choose to rest some of those players who featured in midweek but will be keen to avoid a repeat of the previous round that saw them taken to a replay by Leeds United.

Notts County produced one of the shocks of the third round when they defeated Sunderland 2-1 at the Stadium of Light and were rewarded with a home tie against Premier League giants Manchester City, who needed a replay to get past Leicester City.

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[thefacup]

Let us know your predictions and thoughts on the upcoming FA Cup games in the comments section...

[melaantaa]

hopely chelsea has started winning streak. i think it will be really entertaining match and narrow win to blues :)

[justasoftie]

chelsea will come out on top!! i hope.

[sebastiaan2332]

2nd

[sebastiaan2332]

2nd