FA CUP FIFTH ROUND MATCHES - TUES 9th FEB - THUR 11th FEB

The FA Cup Fifth Round will take place this week, a change was made last season to move games to midweek and all games will be completed on the night. Will there be any surprises? Will the Manchester teams progress again, surely Bristol City have a big chance against Premier League strugglers Sheffield United. With last seasons Cup winners Arsenal now out having lost 1-0 to Southampton could it be the saints year if they can overcome Wolves this week? All games will be shown live across different broadcasters, at least two of them are free to air on BBC beginning with the Manchester United vs West Ham United tie on Tuesday night.

FA Cup Fifth Round
Tuesday 9th February
Burnley 0 - 2 Bournemouth Kick off 17:30  F/T
Our first match this week sees Premier League side Burnley host Championship side Bournemouth, I hope that Sean Dyche puts out a good strong side here although I'm sure he will have one eye on their league survival position too. Currently 17th in the league after a 1-1 draw on Saturday against Brighton. Bournemouth departed with manager Jason Tindall last week even though they sit 6th in the table after their 3-2 home win against struggling Birmingham. They also lost Josh King to Everton in the transfer window but have replaced with Shane Long from Southampton but unsure if he's cup tied, they will have to rely on Jack Wilshire (doesn't play now) supplying the likes of Junior Stanislas up front. Looking at the under 2.5 goals here.

Manchester United 1 - 0 West Ham United [19:30]  F/T
This tie is live on BBC One, Manchester United will come here on the back of an outstanding 9-0 win against Southampton but then threw away a lead against Everton on the weekend to draw 3-3 but remain second in the table. A cup win might help Ole Gunnar Solskjær pacify their demanding fans while West Ham have also been showing signs of improving under former Man Utd manager David Moyes. Recently beating Aston Villa [3-1] last week where new signing Jesse Lingard scored twice on his debut, then played Fulham on Saturday a disappointing game ending goalless a result that leaves them 5th in the Premier League table and a realistic European place up for grabs. Despite that poor game from the hammers I think there will be plenty of goals so over 3.5 in match is the call. Very poor game, nothing of note, going to extra time maybe penalties too? Man Utd take the lead 1-0 in Extra Time.

Wednesday 10th February
Swansea 1 - 3 Manchester City [17:30]  F/T
Swansea had a welcome 2-0 win on Friday night against league leaders of the championship Norwich, but Manchester City is another step up again. Pep's side were not that impressive against lower opposition but still came through and whatever team he puts out it's going to be full of internationals. City faced Liverpool on Sunday a game usually full of incident (as it was indeed a 1-4 win for City) and I expect changes for tonight, while hosts Swansea will need to be patient and take whatever chances come, they have lost 12 from the last 14 games against City including the last six in a row. 

 - Backing a penalty to be awarded @5/2 / and scored @3/1
 - if Phil Foden plays (as I expect he will) then have a wager on him scoring too @23/20.

Leicester City 1 - 0 Brighton and Hove Albion [19:30] F/T

The Foxes are once again riding high looking for another top four placing while Brighton are keeping themselves above the drop zone with well earned wins against the likes of Liverpool last week. Could be a war of attrition though I expect Leicester to have that little bit more quality where it counts. Leicester faced Wolves on Sunday in a 0-0 draw where Jamie Vardy came on from the bench and he might have to perform a similar role tonight unlikely to be rushed back on his return from injury. Low scoring affair tonight in my mind 1-0 either side.

Sheffield United 1 - 0 Bristol City [19:30]  F/T

Bottom of the Premier League and twelve points from safety at time of writing Sheffield United will be hoping to avoid a shock here against a Bristol City side who are themselves tenth in the Championship after their weekend defeat at home to Cardiff City. Sheffield played Chelsea on Sunday night losing 2-1 so will be interesting to see what level of side they deploy here tonight against Bristol City.
 - Backing Bristol City to win tonight @5/1.

Everton 5 - 4 Tottenham Hotspur [20:15]  F/T [AET]

Ancelotti vs Mourinho two old rivals face up again in the cup, Everton will be buoyant after coming back against Man United at the weekend to pinch a point in a thrilling 3-3 draw, while Jose's Spurs have been a little blunt of late since losing Harry Kane to injury and lost the three games since the fourth round win over Wycombe. Surprised to see Kane start the game on  Sunday vs West Brom not so surprised that he scored the opener in a 2-0 home win clearly that injury wasn't as serious as first thought, wonder if Gareth Bale will ever get a look in? Everton with a front line that includes James Rodríguez, Richarlison and Dominic Calvert-Lewin should have plenty of goals in them, but the defence is often shaky and so a high scoring game is predicted here. 

 - Over 1.5 goals in first half @9/4
 - also penalty awarded @7/4 are the two bets here.

Thursday 11th February 

Wolverhampton Wanderers 0 - 2 Southampton [17:30]  F/T

Would have been looking to back Southampton here having dismissed the cup holders Arsenal in the last round but then they go get beat 9-0 once again so my position changes back to Wolves. The Saints then struggled against Newcastle on Saturday losing 3-2 having failed to capitalise on facing 10 men for most of the second half and then Newcastle were reduced to 9 men through injury for the final 18 mins. Nuno's men only eased past non league Chorley in round four, have since beaten Arsenal 2-1 and a 0-0 draw against Leicester on Sunday, a result that leaves them in 14th place. Wolves do have the edge on quality and being hard to beat, but neither side are really firing at present.
 - Might be draw in 90mins then decided on penalties? 10/1

 - Penalty awarded during 90 mins @11/4

Barnsley 0 - 1 Chelsea [20:00]  F/T
The final game of the fifth round is also live on BBC One tonight, and features last years beaten finalists Chelsea travelling to Championship side Barnsley. Chelsea under new head coach Thomas Tuchel who took over from Frank Lampard a couple of weeks ago. Barnsley led this season by manager Valérien Ismaël sit in 12th place in the Championship and had their game against Derby County last weekend called off due to a waterlogged pitch. Chelsea are 6th in the Premier League having faced Tottenham (won 1-0) and Sheffield United (won 2-1) in the last week. Would expect Chelsea to field a strong side as they are all about winning trophies even though they go through managers, back the over 2.5 goals in this tie. 

Each club in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round will receive a £97,500 live broadcast fee, while winning and losing clubs in the Emirates FA Cup fifth round will also receive £135,000 and £45,000 respectively from the competition’s prize fund.

See who can take that next step on the road to Wembley and take the trophy off last years winners Arsenal. 

6th Round Draw
   Everton   vs   Manchester City
   Bournemouth   vs   Southampton
   Leicester City   vs   Manchester United
   Chelsea   vs   Sheffield United

These ties will be played over the weekend of 20-21 March.