🏆 FA Cup Forecast: David v Goliath and Spurs to come unstuck at Boro? | OneFootball

There’s no European football this mid-week but who cares, because we’ve got the FA Cup fifth round to enjoy instead.

It’s time for some predictions.

Tie of the round 💪

Everton v Boreham Wood

The FA Cup is all about David and Goliath mismatches and there’s a great one coming our way from Goodison Park on Thursday night.

Having already pulled off a giant-killing when they knocked out Championship side Bournemouth in the last round, fifth tier outfit Boreham Wood have been rewarded with a trip to a Premier League ground, and it’s an experience they will no doubt savour.

Given Everton’s precarious position in the league at the moment, Frank Lampard might decide to rest a few key players for this game, and there’s a slight chance we could witness an upset for the ages.

Either way, it promises to be a proper cup tie.

📊 Fun fact: This will be Boreham Wood’s first ever competitive meeting with a top-flight side.

🔮 Our prediction: Everton 4-1 Boreham Wood

Potential upset 😨

Middlesbrough v Tottenham

It’s tough to predict which Totteham are going to turn up on any given day at the moment.

Spurs were sublime in their recent Premier League victories over Manchester City and Leeds, but sandwiched between those two games was a dismal display in a defeat to Burnley.

If Antonio Conte is to once again lift the cup like he did in 2017, he’s going to have to get his side playing with more consistency, starting with Tuesday’s trip to the Riverside.

Of course Middlesbrough already have a Premier League scalp under their belts this season having won on penalties at Old Trafford in the last round, and Chris Wilder has got them playing some nice stuff since taking over in November.

But consistency has also been an issue for Boro of late, and this tie will likely be decided by which side wants it more on the night.

📊 Fun fact: Middlesbrough have won only one of their last 13 meetings with Spurs in all competitions (D4 L8).

🔮 Our prediction: Middlesbrough 2-1 Tottenham

Big favourites 👍

Peterborough v Manchester City

There are a few ties this week that probably fall into this category.

Manchester City travel face a Peterborough United side who are currently bottom of the Championship having recently parted company with manager Darren Ferguson.

Chelsea travel to face Luton Town who, to be fair, are currently in a Championship play-off spot at the moment but should still be considered massive underdogs.

And Liverpool’s quadruple pursuit sees them host Norwich at Anfield, with the Canaries firmly focused on staving off relegation above all else.

It’s difficult to imagine the Premier League’s current top three not making it through to the quarter-finals, but you never know.

📊 Fun fact: Manchester City have won each of their last 11 FA Cup matches against a side from the lower division, netting 40 goals and conceding just eight.

🔮 Our prediction: Peterborough 0-5 Manchester City

Too close to call 🤔

Southampton v West Ham

On Wednesday night St Mary’s placed host to what could be an very interesting tie between two very solid Premier League teams.

Southampton go into this game on the back of a six-match unbeaten run which has seen them consolidate firmly in mid-table and could enable them to channel more of their efforts into the cup than they might normally be able to.

While West Ham are on a five-match unbeaten run of their own and still right in contention for a top four spot in the league. After surviving a scare at Kidderminster in the last round, the Hammers might just feel up for the cup this season.

There won’t be much between these two sides, that’s for sure.

📊 Fun fact: West Ham have never lost to Southampton in the FA Cup.

🔮 Our prediction: Southampton 1-0 West Ham

Other predictions