Sports Mole provides score predictions and previews for all of today’s FA Cup fixtures, including Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester United.
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Reeling from their gut-wrenching EFL Cup final failure, a disconsolate Chelsea seek redemption in the FA Cup, as Leeds United head to Stamford Bridge for Wednesday’s fifth-round showdown.
While the Blues were bested 1-0 by Liverpool in front of the Wembley crowds on Sunday, Daniel Farke’s troops rejoiced in a 3-1 beating of Championship leaders Leicester City on Friday night.
We say: Chelsea 2-1 Leeds United
As well as finding the back of the net for fun, Leeds have also prided themselves on a rigid defensive structure in 2024; Faes’s opener for Leicester on Friday was just the fourth goal that they have conceded in their 12-game unbeaten run.
A jelly-legged and confidence-depleted Chelsea may have their work cut out for them as a result, but Pochettino is blessed with a few options for change up front, and we still expect the Blues to restore a small sense of pride with a slender win to reach the quarter-finals.
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> How Chelsea could line up against Leeds United
> Chelsea injury, suspension list vs. Leeds United
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Two teams seeking to bounce back from disappointing defeats in the Premier League last weekend will lock horns in an FA Cup fifth-round tie on Wednesday night, as Nottingham Forest play host to Manchester United at the City Ground.
The Red Devils, losing finalists in last season’s FA Cup, will be seeking revenge against the Tricky Trees after they were beaten 2-1 by Nuno Espirito Santo’s side in the top flight at the end of December.
We say: Nottingham Forest 1-2 Manchester United (after extra time)
Although Premier League survival remains the priority for Nottingham Forest, success on Wednesday against a Man United outfit, whom they have already beaten this season, could act as a springboard for a much-needed positive run of form in the coming weeks.
A closely-fought contest may be on the cards at the City Ground, one that could even go beyond the 90 minutes now that replays have been scrapped from this stage onwards, but if the Red Devils can rediscover their spark in attack, they may just do enough to secure their spot in the quarter-finals.
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> How Man Utd could line up against Nott’m Forest
> Man United injury, suspension list vs. Nottingham Forest
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Molineux is the venue for an all-Premier League FA Cup fifth-round tie on Wednesday evening, as Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome Brighton & Hove Albion to their West Midlands base.
Gary O’Neil’s men enter the midweek battle on the back of a 1-0 success over Sheffield United in the top flight, while the Seagulls left it late to snatch a point off of Everton in a 1-1 draw.
We say: Wolverhampton Wanderers 1-1 Brighton & Hove Albion (a.e.t. – Brighton to win on penalties)
A contest as tight as the Premier League standings would suggest ought to be played out on the Molineux turf this week, but unlike in January’s tense Amex battle, the net should ripple on both sides as both managers weigh up a handful of changes.
No fifth-round replays means that the tie must be settled via extra time and penalties if required, and with Brighton now well-versed in handling the additional pressure of Europa League football, we give De Zerbi’s men the edge from 12 yards.
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With the quadruple progress bar 25% complete, EFL Cup winners Liverpool switch focus back to the FA Cup on Wednesday night, when Southampton arrive at Anfield for a fifth-round showdown.
The Reds return to their Merseyside base on the back of an enthralling 1-0 extra-time success over Chelsea in the EFL Cup final, while the Saints were beaten 2-1 by Millwall in Saturday’s Championship affair.
We say: Liverpool 2-1 Southampton
The handful of Under-21s players who ended the EFL Cup final will likely be called upon to start Wednesday’s game for Liverpool, who will be far from their scintillating best owing to injuries and fatigue, which the Saints would do well to capitalise on.
Southampton do not arrive at Anfield with the wind in their sails, though, and while it may be a slog, we still have faith in Klopp’s ravaged Reds to prolong their quadruple dream.
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> How Liverpool could line up against Southampton
> Liverpool injury, suspension list vs. Southampton
