Crystal Palace Vs Liverpool Today 830pm
My Prediction: Palace 1-2 The Reds
Liverpool struggled to get into this stage of the FA Cup following a draw with Bolton that forced a replay. And even in the replay, the Reds needed a moment of brilliance from Philippe Coutinho in the 90th minute to get the win. All premier league clubs in the FA Cup are always tricky affairs because of teams like Crystal Palace who know that this is one piece of silverware that is up for grabs by anyone. And Crystal Palace had to go through a five goal thriller to get here. They beat Premier League surprise package of the season Southampton 3-2 to qualify for this round, so they have had the tougher route to this fixture. In the league Palace have only really been losing to decent teams, Man City, Everton and Southampton come to mind, but as a cup competition, they have risen to the occasion. Liverpool however have Daniel Sturridge back and in fine form. Along with Raheem Sterling and Coutinho, these Reds boys are looking good. Midweek they did what Arsenal couldn’t do last weekend, they overcame the weather; and a Hurri-Kane to beat Tottenham 3-2. I have a lot of respect for Brendan Rodgers. This will be a really hard match up which I am tempted to predict will end in a draw; but I a23m seeing Liverpool with the upper hand.
Arsenal Vs Middlesbrough Sunday 7pm
My Prediction: The Gunners 2-1 Boro
I’m not sure what happens to players when they come to Arsenal. After one injury they tend to keep going back to the sick room for treatment; kind of like sending your car to a jua kali mechanic in Nairobi. He will fix the problem you told him about but after he returns the car you will continue to have other problems; making you believe that he deliberately broke something so that he could get continuous work. I’m sure it’s not deliberate in the Arsenal sick room case but it is a concern how players keep getting injuries. Alexis Sanchez knee injury is thankfully not serious enough to keep him out of this game, but it is a concern how he is beginning to spend a lot of time in the sick room. No Gunner can forget how Middlesbrough shamed Manchester City by beating them 2-0 at the Etihad to get here, so we won’t be taking the Championship side for granted. Middlesbrough always gave Arsenal a rough time when they were in the Premier League early in the century and their “fight to the death” mentality is clearly still there. I just hope Manager Arsene Wenger doesn’t play a second string side because this game needs as much attention as a league fixture. And clearly the FA Cup is the only piece of silverware we can realistic pray to get this term, so we must take this serious. Borough are top of the Championship and knocking on the EPL door so this is almost like an all premier league fixture. It will be tough but we are the resilient Gunners!
Preston Vs Manchester United Monday 10:45pm
My Prediction: Preston 1-4 The Red Devil
Oh luck knocks on Manchester United’s door yet again; although their last lucky fixture ended in a draw. The Red Devils were forced into a replay by Cambridge after I let the predictions that they would eat them up for dinner! But I don’t believe LVG will make the same mistake twice. If they learned anything from earning a replay with Cambridge and watching Chelsea being eliminated by Bradford, is that they need to respect the little boys; even if they are in Division One. Preston are currently in a play off position in Division One but just four points off a promotion spot to the Championship. They did get over Sheffield United 3-1 to get here and Sheffield are no push over. This game won’t be thrilling but the Red Devils will be happy with their easy win. I’ll predict a win for them but oh I hope I’ll be wrong again! Lol.