Leeds and Leicester managed to secure FA Cup draws with Arsenal (6/1 to win the FA Cup) and Manchester City respectively in the third round, but will either side be able to go one better and secure a spot in the fourth round after the midweek replays?
Leeds, who dumped out Manchester United and took Spurs to a replay in the Cup last season, came agonisingly close to knocking Arsenal out of the competition at the first hurdle, only for Gunners talisman Cesc Fabregas to step up and level the score at 1-1 with a last-minute penalty. Arsenal hammered Leeds for an hour at the Emirates but the Yorkshire side took a surprise lead through Robert Snodgrass early in the second half and nearly held out.
However, Gunners boss Arsene Wenger left a number of his key men out of the line-up for Leeds’ visit and the Frenchman could well name a stronger starting XI for the trip to Elland Road.
Samir Nasri and Robin van Persie could be involved on Wednesday after missing out at the Emirates while Theo Walcott and Fabregas were both introduced as second-half substitutes, but Wenger could be tempted to hand them a starting spot in a bid to ensure they progress.
The Leeds fans will get right behind their team and if the Whites can keep Arsenal quiet in the early stages they could well cause an upset, but if Wenger names his strongest line-up Arsenal should be just too strong for the high-flying Championship outfit and a Gunners victory, within 90 minutes, could well be worth some consideration (Match Betting – Leeds 21/5, draw 3/1, Arsenal 8/13).
On Tuesday Leicester City travel to Manchester City after securing an impressive 2-2 draw with the big-spending Eastlands side at the Walkers Stadium.
The Foxes have since added Yakubu to their ranks on loan for the rest of the season and the Nigerian striker scored against Preston on his debut for the Championship outfit, although he is not eligible. The tie also sees former City boss Sven-Goran Eriksson return to Eastlands and the ex-England boss will be desperate to knock out his old club, but City are a strong side on home soil and should be able to see off the Foxes on Tuesday (Match Betting – Manchester City 2/7, draw 9/2, Leciester 17/2).
The other two replays also see Premier League sides pitted against Championship opposition.
Cardiff have a great chance to knock out Stoke after drawing at the Britannia Stadium. The Bluesbirds have a formidable record at Cardiff City Stadium, with just two losses from their 12 league games so far, and the fans will be right behind their team for the Potters’ visit.
Cardiff have the considerable talents of Craig Bellamy, Peter Whittingham and Michael Chopra to callon and if you’re looking for a midweek FA Cup upset this could well be the fixture that provides it. Cardiff are 8/5 to get the better of Stoke within 90 minutes or 5/6 to qualify for the fourth round (Match Betting – Cardiff 8/5, draw 11/5, Stoke 8/5).
Wolves may sit second bottom of the Premier League table but they’ve beaten both Chelsea and Liverpool this season and Mick McCarthy’s side can be a very well organised unit who are difficult to break down.
However, the Molineux side have been guilty of some erratic form over the course of the campaign and Doncaster’s visit on Tuesday night could prove to be a potential banana skin for Wanderers. Wolves were reduced to 10 at the Keepmoat and they did well to hold on against Doncaster, but Rovers play some exciting, attacking football and the South Yorkshire outfit will not be daunted by visiting Molineux on Tuesday.
This is perhaps the hardest fixture to call and Doncaster certainly have the ability to get a result at Wolves. McCarthy will be keen to ensure his side stay in the Premier League and with relegation a very real possibility for Wolves, the boss may choose to rest a few of his stars ahead of the game with Liverpool at the weekend and Doncaster (2/1 to qualify for the fourth round) could well surprise a few people and see-off Wolves at Molinuex (Match Betting – Wolves 8/11, draw 13/5, Doncaster 7/2).
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