The fourth round of the FA Cup with Budweiser kicks off on Saturday 26th January and there are plenty of matches to look forward to.
Twelve FA Cup games will be played on the Saturday and it is safe to say that there are a few interesting match-ups. The early kick-off sees Stoke entertain Premier League champions Manchester City, who are missing both Kolo and Yaya Touré due to the African Cup of Nations, in the first of two all-Premier League encounters. In the evening kick-off, Fulham face table toppers Manchester United in what will prove to be a tough game. An improving Arsenal will, who edged into the fourth round with a late Jack WiIshere goal against Swansea, will travel to Brighton and Hove Albion, who have already beaten Newcastle United in this year’s competition. Middlesbrough, who currently sit in the playoff places in the Championship, host struggling League Two side Alsershot and League One Sheffield United will visit the Madejski Stadium to play Premier League relegation placed Reading. The two lowest ranked teams left in the competition, Macclesfield and Luton Town, face Premier League sides Wigan and Norwich respectively. Both teams play in the Conference National league, which is English football’s fifth tier, and they face a tough battle if they hope to advance to the fifth round.
Sunday sees three big FA Cup games take place. Third placed League Two side Brentford will host Chelsea, who have just been knocked out of the Carling Cup by Swansea so they will want to bounce back with a big win against The Bees. Leeds United will welcome Tottenham to their Elland Road ground and Liverpool, who advanced as a result of a controversial Luis Suarez goal against Mansfield Town, take a trip to League One Oldham Athletic.
The FA Cup has always been an exciting tournament ever since it first started and with this set of fixtures as well as a lot more to keep us entertained over the weekend, it seems as though the magic of the cup will certainly continue.
