The FA Cup fourth round weekend is upon us as we move towards the business end of English football’s biggest domestic cup competition.
After Manchester City knocked out Arsenal on Friday night, there is just one all-Premier League clash remaining this weekend between Brighton and Liverpool.
That leaves the prospect of a number of upsets over the next couple of days, and Sportsmail has provided a guide to the fixtures that you simply don’t want to miss.
Nathan Ake scored the only goal of the game as Man City knocked out Arsenal on Friday
JESSE’S JITTERS AHEAD OF TRIP TO ACCRINGTON
ACCRINGTON v LEEDS, 12.30pm, BBC One
Leeds have been past the fourth round of the FA Cup just once in the last 10 seasons, falling at the first hurdle in five consecutive campaigns before getting past Cardiff in a replay this year.
A list of their recent Cup slayers includes Crawley, QPR, Newport County, Sutton United and Rochdale. Accrington Stanley certainly would not look out of place on that growing rap sheet.
‘In the US, we would always talk about the FA Cup,’ said Jesse Marsch. ‘We are very aware of what it holds in terms of David versus Goliath.’
Accy boss John Coleman added: ‘It’s 90 minutes against a team who have only got 11 players. They are on a lot more money but our side have big hearts.’
Jesse Marsch’s side need to be careful to avoid an FA Cup upset at Accrington Stanley
FLYNN FUMES AT TV SNUB… BUT FANCIES A SADDLERS SHOCK
WALSALL v LEICESTER, 12.30pm, BBC iPlayer
It would be great to see an upset here given the television channels snubbed this classic FA Cup tie in favour of showing Premier League teams. Walsall boss Michael Flynn has noted that.
Flynn’s Newport beat Leicester in 2019 and the Welshman told Sportsmail this week: ‘We cannot lose sight of what the FA Cup is about. It is about dreams.
‘Perhaps some people are more interested in viewing figures than what the Cup is about. I’ve watched the FA Cup since I was a kid and it is magical.’
It’s also 45 years to the day Dave Mackay’s Saddlers shocked Leicester, one of many Walsall giant-killings, including beating Arsenal, Newcastle and Manchester United.
Walsall boss Michael Flynn is disappointed that his side’s match with Leicester has been snubbed by TV channels
RYAN TARGETS A LOWE BLOW
PRESTON v TOTTENHAM, 6pm, BBC One
Preston boss Ryan Lowe revealed in Sportsmail this week that he will buy a fancy bottle of red wine for Antonio Conte – but expect no pleasantries on the pitch.
North End are a physical side – they have received more yellow cards than all but Swansea this season (64), committed 307 fouls and won a league-high 56 per cent of aerial duels. ‘I’m here to create history,’ said Lowe on Friday.
Antonio Conte’s men can expect a physical test against Preston at Deepdale
ANOTHER SHOCK ON THE SOUTH COAST?
BRIGHTON v LIVERPOOL, 1.30pm Sunday, ITV1
Brighton knocked out Liverpool on their way to the 1983 final – and shocked them again the following year as a second-tier club.
Ahead of Sunday’s meeting at the Amex, Jurgen Klopp recalled a more recent memory of embarrassment on the south coast: their 3-0 defeat a fortnight ago, which the German described as a ‘horror show’.
Jurgen Klopp apologised to Liverpool’s fans after their last trip to the Amex Stadium
CAN WARNE ADD ANOTHER TO HIS ‘WIN WALL’?
DERBY v WEST HAM, 7.45pm Monday, ITV4
Derby have lost just one match in the last three months – a Carabao Cup defeat at Anfield after a penalty shoot-out – and they are unbeaten in 14 League One matches.
Relatively new manager Paul Warne is doing a stellar job at Pride Park and the Rams will fancy their chances of a mammoth upset against David Moyes’ out-of-form team.
The former Rotherham boss has installed an ever-growing ‘win wall’ and ‘clean sheet wall’ at the training ground, with framed pictures of each victory and shut-out in his tenure. West Ham have fallen at the fourth or fifth round in each of the last five seasons.
Paul Warne’s Derby will fancy their chances of pulling off a shock against West Ham
WHAT ELSE TO KEEP YOUR EYE ON?
Mick McCarthy takes charge of his first Blackpool match at Southampton on Saturday, his ninth management job.
The Tangerines thrashed Premier League Nottingham Forest in the previous round and 63-year-old McCarthy says he is looking forward to this match.
There are seven ties to not feature a Premier League side, guaranteeing a strong Football League presence in the next round.
The pick of those is Stevenage’s trip to Championship strugglers Stoke on Sunday. Steve Evans’ side shocked Aston Villa in the last round and laughed that Unai Emery’s side played with fear against his League Two high-flyers.
Mick McCarthy is back in the dugout to lead Blackpool in their tie against Southampton