As the Emirate FA Cup quarter-finals kick off today, there are lots of talking points. So, let’s begin by looking at the matches in detail…
Middlesbrough v Chelsea (17:15 GMT)
Middlesbrough hosts Chelsea in the first game of the FA Cup at 17:15 GMT. The championship side is hoping to cause another upset. Chelsea, who are on a quest to redeem themselves after losing the Carling Cup final to Liverpool on penalties looks like a tougher opponent for Chris Wilder’s side.
Boro won Manchester United on penalties after battling out a 1-1 draw in normal time. They followed up the impressive victory with another upset against Tottenham; extra-time winner, Josh Coburn, a teenage substitute made the difference by scoring the winning goal.
Boro is expected to adopt the same game pattern but the same cannot be said of Chelsea. Thomas Tuchel’s reigning European champions and Club World Cup winners are favourites despite the recent troubles surrounding the club in recent times.
Nottingham Forest v Liverpool (18:00 GMT)
Like Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest is another strong side Championship side in the tournament. They have defeated the likes of Leicester City and Arsenal to progress to this stage in the competition.
Meanwhile, Liverpool is in for business; the PL club aims for all four trophies after winning the Carling Cup. In the league, Liverpool is second in the table but with one point differentiating them and leaders, Manchester City.
Southampton v Manchester City (15:00 GMT)
Manchester City will be travelling to the South Coast to face battle with arch-rivals, Southampton. The Saints have played out draws with Manchester City in their two Premier League encounters this season.
While the Citizen are top of the league table with a point and on course to capture their third Premier League trophy in four seasons, Southampton is aiming for a mid-table season.
If Southampton wins this tie, then Ralph Hasenhuttl’s will be the first manager to reach the semi-final of the competition for three times in the last five seasons.
Crystal Palace v Everton (12:30 GMT)
Crystal Palace battle out Everton for the FA Cup semi-final spot. Everton have been in poor form while Crystal Palace have improved and aims at finishing above mid-table at the end of the season.
Given the form, Vierra’s Crystal Palace are favourites to win Frank Lampard’s Everton who is battling to remain in the top-flight after a run of poor results.
Both managers have won the Cup as a player and can also do the same to win it for their teams.
