All the Premier League big boys made it into the fourth round of the Emirates FA Cup and it will not be getting any easier as teams get confirmation of their opponents in the next round and the possible opposition in the rounds that follows.
Defending champions Arsenal will be on the road against either of Southampton or Shrewsbury Town. The Gunners see off Newcastle United in the previous rounds thanks to impressive extra time showing, winning 2-0 after 120 minutes of football match.
Southampton were scheduled to take on League One side, Shrewsbury Town on Saturday night but the game was postponed due to Covid-19 outbreak at Shrewsbury. The match will now be rescheduled to be played before fourth round fixtures begin. Else, Shrewsbury Town will forfiet a chance to make it to the next round.
The winner of this fourth round fixture will meet either of Chorley or Wolverhampton Wonderers. Non league side Chorley, who knocked out a makeshift Derby County side will host the Premier League club, who see off Crystal Palace in the third round thanks to Adama Traore’s first goal in almost a year.
Manchester United have been drawn against Liverpool in the fourth round as both teams set to face each other twice in a week.
Manchester United progress to the fourth round thanks to Scot McTominay’s early strike against Watford while Liverpool ease past a Covid hit Aston Villa, who were unable to field their first team players.
Liverpool will host United in the Premier League this weekend before traveling to Old Trafford next weekend for a place in the next round of this competition, where the winner of the clash between West Ham United and Doncaster awaits.
West Ham United progress last night as a late Craig Dawson’s header sees off Stockport County while Doncaster beat Championship side Blackburn Rovers to secure a place in the fourth round.
Premier League clubs Fulham and Burnley, who both progress at the expense of Queen’s Park Rangers and MK Dons respectively will take on each other at Craven Cottage and the winner will battle the team that comes out on top between AFC Bournemouth and Crawley.
Last year beaten finalist, Chelsea are the big winners of the Cup draw as they will host Luton in the round, while the either Barnsley or Norwich awaits in the fifth round.
Chelsea recently book a place in the fourth round, beating League Two side Morecambe 4-0. Frank Lampard side can now reach the quarter finals without facing any side from the top division.
Another big winner is Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City, who played Birmingham City in the fourth round and have now been drawn against League Two side Cheltenham Town. Swansea City or Nottingham Forest are possible opponents in the fifth round should they beat Cheltenham.
Jose Mourinho’s Tottenham Hotspur will also be pleased with their drawing of Wycombe Wonderers. Marine was the victim in the third round, which allows Mourinho rest regular first team players.
A clash with Championship side Wycombe Wonderers gives Mourinho another chance to field fringe players in order to avoid overworking his regular players.
Should they make it to the fifth round, Everton or Sheffield Wednesday awaits them. Everton, being the favourites to win this clash, Mourinho must be wary anticipating a clash with The Toffees, who beat them in their first game of the season.
Sheffield United will be relieved after getting their first win of the season in a 3-2 win over League One side, Bristol Rovers in the third round of the Emirates FA Cup.
They will host Plymouth in the fourth round as they winner of the clash between Millwall and Bristol City will be the opponent in the fifth round.
Leicester City travel to Brentford as Brighton & Hove Albion host Blackpool. The winner of these clashes takes on each other in the fifth round.
All matches will be played between 22nd to the 25th of this month except situations propose that some fixtures be postponed.
Afolabi Kehinde Hassan
