Saturday 16th/Sunday 17th April 2011 - F.A. Cup Special

Due to the F.A. Cup Semi Finals occuring this weekend, four teams have obligations away from the league. Only five Barclays Premier League games will be happening on Saturday, followed by the Manchester derby at Wembley. This weekend also sees the reverse fixtures to the opening day of the season, which seems oh so long ago.

Birmingham v Sunderland

The Carling Cup Champions are a team that are hard to beat at home, and Ben Foster has been a magnificent capture this season, probably the reason they are above the relegation zone rather than in it.
Sunderland seem to have capitulated recently. They were sitting pretty in the top half, and now their recent form includes 1 draw and 7 losses in their last 8 league games, scoring 7 and conceding 21.

Key players: 
Birmingham: 
Ben Foster - Expect a few saves not many other 'keepers in the league could make.
Liam Ridgwell - Solid defender who has a knack of scoring last minute goals.
Seb Larsson - Birmingham's driving force. If he plays well, expect the Blues to play well too.

Sunderland:

Jordan Henderson - We've seen only glimpses of his talent this season. He can go forward and track back, and uses the ball well.
Asamoah Gyan - The Black Cat's star man since Darren Bent left. As we saw for Ghana against England, he can create something out of nothing.



Prediction: Birmingham 2 - 1 Sunderland

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Blackpool v Wigan

Both teams have been very poor of late. Wigan are left propping up the table whilst Blackpool's recent form doesn't look enough to keep them up, and they are both running out of time to change that. The first game between these provided a huge shock to the system on the opening day of the season, Blackpool coming out 4-0 winners and actually going top of the table for a few hours, and things have been downhill for Wigan since then.
The Tangerines best results have all come away from home, but Latics haven't exactly lit the place alight home or away. A narrow loss to Champions Chelsea last time out, but that was partly due to a poor Chelsea performance.


Key players:
Blackpool:
Charlie Adam - Who else? Without him this season, they would probably have been relegated a long time ago.
Gary Taylor-Fletcher - Blackpool's second best player in my opinion. Had a few chances against Arsenal and can punish a weaker defence.


Wigan:
Charles N'Zogbia - If Wigan create anything, it'll more than likely come from him.
Tom Cleverly - Been a shining star for Wigan this season, whether he can break into the United first team next year remains to be seen.


Prediction: Blackpool 1 - 1 Wigan

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Everton v Blackburn Rovers

Everton are a team that I like. A few quality players but nowhere near enough ability up front. Although Beckford has scored a few goals this year, I don't think he's good enough for a team who should be looking to play European football.

Blackburn have seemed lost since Allardyce left, and I don't think Steve Kean is really ready for a Premier League job. Not far off the relegation zone and a few bad results and good results for their rivals could potentially send them down.

Key players:

Everton:

Leighton Baines - One of the league's best left backs, a solid defender and great at going forward. His delieveries are absolutely sublime.

Tim Cahill - A quality player, particulalarly good with his head. His aerial ability combined with Baines' crosses could give him a few chances.

Blackburn Rovers:

Chris Samba - A rock in defence and will always pose a threat at set-pieces at the other end.

David Hoilett - A player in form at the moment, scoring a few goals. Probably Rovers' best attacking threat.

Prediction: Everton 3 - 0 Blackburn Rovers

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West Brom v Chelsea

The Baggies are a team transformed under Manager of the Year Roy Hodgson. I was one of many who criticised the sacking of Di Matteo, but there can't be any complaints now as Hodgson still has his team unbeaten, and would have loved beating Liverpool a couple of weeks ago.

Chelsea know they aren't playing for much anymore, and may be feeling the pretty sorry for themselves after crashing out of the Champions League on Tuesday. Still, they are the Champions and beat West Brom 6-0 at the start of the season.

Key players:

West Brom: 

Chris Brunt - The Baggies' captain has been a revelation for them this season, creating and scoring quite a few. 

Peter Odemwingie - Has looked very patchy all season, sometimes on fire, sometimes quite the opposite. Give him a couple of chances and he may just take them.

Chelsea:

David Luiz - It was evident they missed him in the Champions League games. Looks to be an amazing defender and not half bad going forward, having scored two more goals for his new club than Fernando Torres. And that hair ...

Didier Drogba - When it comes to power up front, nobody is better than this man. I think he'll be leaving at the end of the season, because him and Torres together doesn't work. Terrorises defenders, and could win the game for Chelsea if he starts.

Prediction: West Brom 2 - 2 Chelsea

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West Ham United v Aston Villa

The Hammers are on a bit of a resurgence this half of the season, and Villa are looking sketchy. Both teams will be desperate for a win to avoid being left behind. Villa are a team I would say are too good to go down, but only because the teams below them are worse. If West Ham can manage a two-goal lead at half time like they did against Manchester United, I'd expect them to hold on to it.

Key players:

West Ham:

Scott Parker - Well. What is there to say about someone who has carried their team all season? Don't expect him to hang around Upton Park much longer than the end of the season.

Demba Ba - His transfer seems to have coincided with West Ham's season turn around. Always poses a threat up front, and works well with the other strikers.

Aston Villa:

Ashley Young - Deserves to be in a team higher up in the league. A brilliant crosser of the ball and loves getting on the scoresheet himself.

Darren Bent - £24m was a lot of money, but the Torres and Carroll transfers took him out of the limelight and let him concentrate. Top striker on his day, but can be inconsistent. If he gets a chance, I'd expect him to take it.

Prediction: West Ham United 2 - 1 Aston Villa

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F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL #1

Manchester United v Manchester City

The Manchester Derby moves to London for the day. Two teams who won't settle for anything less than a win competing the most important derby for years. The red half are in much better form, after seeing off Chelsea in the Champions League and on a run of 7 straight wins after defeat at Anfield, which is where City went on Monday night and were dished out a hammering. Tevez got injured at Anfield, and will be a massive blow. United already knew they were without Wayne Rooney, but City will miss Tevez much, much more.

Key players:

Manchester United:

Ryan Giggs - The evergreen Giggs has been rolling back the years once again. He can do whatever he likes with a football, and expect him to be heavily involved in a few incidents. 

Nani - The Portuguese is the closest United have to Ronaldo at the moment, and that has shown with his hatful of goals and assists. Not everyone's cup of tea due to parts he needs to erase from his game, but a massive threat.

Antonio Valencia - Not sure if he will start, but can delivery a wonderful ball into the box and cause problems for defenders.

Javier 'Chicharito' Hernandez - An amazing little talent that has taken the league by storm. Has the ability to draw defenders out of the game, even if he doesn't get many touches he will still open up defences.

Manchester City:

Vincent Kompany - Has been a rock for City this season. Kept Rooney quiet all game (bar one very spectacular incident) the last time the teams met. Strong defender, and very quick for a big guy.

Adam Johnson - Like Valencia, nobody knows if he'll start or not. Will be a great talent in a few years, and will always put in a good shift. Can beat men and put in a good ball, or cut inside and shoot.

David Silva - Always poses an attacking threat and has worked very well with Tevez this season. A quick little player that can run at defenders from either wing or through the middle. Scored with his arse in the last derby.

Mario Balotelli - A lot of people dislike him. I can't stand him. But you can't deny his ability. The goal against Villa in a previous round of the F.A. Cup springs to mind. Very hit and miss - When he's good, he's very very good, but when he's bad, he'll get sent off.

Prediction: Manchester United 3 - 1 Manchester City

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Arsenal v Liverpool

A big game for Arsenal who will hope to take all 3 points from their game in hand over Manchester United.  Wenger's team have been rather poor of late, and it seems they have let United run away with it a bit at the top. However, it certainly isn't over as we've seen larger point gaps closed in the past.

The game between the two on the opening day of the season ended 1-1, and I can imagine a similar scoreline this time around, as Dalgish has transformed Liverpool since taking over in January. They've seen off Chelsea twice this season, and hammered both Manchester clubs at Anfield, but their away form still remains in question, losing to both West Ham and West Brom recently. The Reds will be a team full of confidence after they ripped Man City apart on Monday night, and 'King Kenny' will have identified the Gunners' weaknesses and will hope to play on them. This, in tandem with the fact it is Liverpool's closest game to the Hillsborough Anniversary on Friday, will give them the belief they can take all three points, although they may not like helping their neighbours from down the East Lancs Road in overtaking their own record of number of title wins.

Key Players:

Arsenal:

Cesc Fabregas - The Arsenal Captain has been in this position before, coming up to the season's end with a chance of stealing the league title, and his team seem to have vanished. He, more than anyone in the squad, will want to make sure they win their remaining games and keep the pressure on. Not to mention he is a real match winner, and a fantastic player from the Barcelona academy.

Jack Wilshere - Fabio Capello wouldn't have labelled him the future England captain for no reason. We've all seen this season why he is so highly rated. A young player with a fantastic future, but he isn't just potential. He's arguably been Arsenal's best player this season, and although he doesn't get on the scoresheet much himself, he can run any game from the centre of the park.

Robin Van Persie - The Dutch striker's return to fitness earlier in the year was like a new signing for Arsene Wenger. Will take any chance he gets to score, and with Fabregas behind him, expect him to get many.

Liverpool:

Raul Meireles - Didn't have the greatest start to the season but since the turn of the year has come into some form and perhaps been Liverpool's best player. With Gerrard absent, he'll need to be chief creator for the away side, and he is more than capable of stepping up.

Luiz Suarez - What a player this guy seems to be. His work rate and ability to run at (and beat) players look effortless and easy, and with a shaky defence like Arsenal's, he will no doubt cause a lot of problems.

Andy Carroll - £35m was a lot for a young, rather unproven, player. He played like a hero against City on Monday, taking two chances to score his first goals for his new club. His link-up play with Suarez seems like it has just come natural, and has left fans asking 'Fernando who?'

Prediction: Arsenal 2 - 2 Liverpool 

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F.A. CUP SEMI-FINAL #2

Bolton Wanderers v Stoke City

Two more teams from 'Up North' take their games down to Wembley. Bolton have played some fantastic stuff under Owen Coyle, and Tony Pulis' Stoke are a more physical team but that doesn't say they can't play football. The current league standings place 8th vs 12th, and Stoke aren't really out of the relegation battle but will enjoy turning their attentions to something else this weekend. Both teams will need to be at their best for a chance in the final, and in Europe, but I just see Bolton edging it.

Key players:

Bolton:

Gary Cahill - The England centre-back has been a rock for Coyle's men this season. He'll be up against some big players in Kenwyne Jones and Huth and Shawcross at set pieces, but he knows exactly what he's doing and I think he will do it brilliantly.

Chung-Yong Lee - Here is a player I really like. 'Korean Dave' is very quick, can beat a man, and will get in the right places in the box. Like his compatriot Ji-Sung Park, he seems to run off unleaded petrol, and his work rate could spur his team on and put the game beyond Stoke.

Kevin Davies - Again, someone I enjoy watching. He gets a lot of stick for his physical approach, and has fouled an opposition player more times than anyone in the past 8 years. The barrell-chested forward is such an important player for Bolton. Expect him to throw himself about and cause a lot of problems for the Stoke defence, but he will do everything he can to hold the ball up and bring his team into the game.

Ryan Shawcross - The Potters' answer to Gary Cahill. A strong centre-back who will have to be on his toes to cope with the threat of Davies and Elmander. Can also put himself about a bit in his oppositions box if his team get a set piece.

Matthew Etherington - A very tricky winger who is up against a strong opponent in Gretar Steinsson. He has hit form at the moment, and his goal against Spurs last week was magical. He has the ability to beat a man and put a very good ball in the box.

Kenwyne Jones - Everybody knows who he is and what he does. A big striker who is in the Didier Drogba mould. Maybe as strong and powerful but not quite as gifted, he can really make a mark on this game by playing in his usual style.


Prediction: Bolton Wanderers 3 - 1 Stoke City