We have reached the last 16 in the FA Cup and the Wembley arch is almost in sight for those fancying their chances of getting their hands on the famous old trophy.
On Tuesday, holders Manchester City head to Luton where they have already been handed a difficult test in the league while Championship leaders Leicester may fancy their chances of putting one over Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium.
The following night, Leeds will hope to heap more misery on Chelsea after the Blues’ Carabao Cup disappointment against Liverpool, while Manchester United aim to get back to winning ways against Nottingham Forest.
Recommended four-fold: Leicester or draw double chance, Phil Foden to score at any time, Both teams to score in Chelsea v Leeds and Mancehster United to win & both teams to score.
- Leicester or draw double chance v Bournemouth
- Phil Foden to score at any time in Luton v Manchester City
- Both teams to score in Chelsea v Leeds
- Manchester United to win & both team to score v Nottingham Forest
Bournemouth vs Leicester
Leicester could be perfectly excused if they made their return to the Premier League an absolute priority over the next couple of months, but the FA Cup has reached a stage where resting players may not seem so attractive and they can at least take Bournemouth to extra-time at the Vitality Stadium.
The Foxes saw their lead in the Championship cut to six points on Friday after they suffered a 3-1 defeat at Leeds, but that result greatly flattered the Whites, who scored three late goals and had been clearly the worst side for the first 80 minutes of the Elland Road contest.
Enzo Maresca’s side were cursing that they did not put the game to bed, especially as they had lost their previous league match at home to Middlesbrough, but they have enough about them to make life hard for the Cherries on Tuesday.
The south coast outfit stormed up the table with an excellent run after the beginning of November when they won six and drew one of seven league matches.
However, they have lost their way since, winning only FA Cup ties against QPR - where they had to come back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 - and Swansea since the turn of the year.
Leicester, who have failed to score in just one of their away games this season, provide an even tougher test and double-chance backers could be rewarded if the second-tier leaders can at least force extra time.
LEICESTER DRAW OR DOUBLE CHANCE
Luton vs Manchester City
Manchester City have already been handed a tough test at Luton this season and with the Hatters tending to save their best performances for matches at home to the big boys, there may be a few people who will be sniffing a potential shock at Kenilworth Road.
What appears more likely is a spirited performance from Reb Edwards’s team which turns out to be fruitless, which was what happened in the league fixture in December when Bernardo Silva and Jack Grealish had to step up for the Citizens after they fell behind to a Elijah Adebayo goal just before half-time.
City striker Erling Haaland is still taking a little time to get back to his imperious best since an injury break, but one City player who looks to be at the top of his game is Phil Foden.
The England midfielder looks undroppable for City, having built on a recent hat-trick in the 3-1 win at Brentford.
Foden was on hand to score the only goal in the 1-0 win Pep Guardiola’s side earned at Bournemouth on Saturday and the Stockport Iniesta has had at least three efforts at goal in ten of his last 12 City appearances.
A player who has had 13 shots on target in his last six matches is one who is brimming in confidence so expect him to be in the right place at the right time again to help City move through to the last eight.
Chelsea vs Leeds
Chelsea have to pick themselves up from the disappointment of Sunday’s Carabao Cup defeat to Liverpool and they may have a fight on their hands in what is set to be a charged atmosphere at Stamford Bridge for the visit of Leeds.
The Yorkshire club are on course for an immediate return to the top flight after beating Championship leaders Leicester on Friday, which was a tenth win in their last 12 matches.
Leeds have scored at least twice in four of their last six sets of 90 minutes - three extra-time goals gave them a 4-1 win at Plymouth in the fourth round - and they can threaten a patched-up Chelsea defence.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side had shown encouraging signs before their limp Wembley defeat and have scored in ten of their last 11 home games, so there is a strong potential for both teams to find the net in this one.
Nottingham Forest vs Manchester United
Manchester United need to pick themselves up from the shock of their 2-1 home defeat to Fulham on Saturday and a visit to Nottingham Forest looks a good opportunity for Erik ten Hag’s side.
United had won their previous five matches before their shock against the Cottagers and they take on a Forest side who have won just two of their last ten matches on the banks of the Trent.
One of those wins was admittedly against United, but the Red Devils have won their last five away matches, which have included impressive league success at Aston Villa, Wolves and Luton.
Both teams have scored in the last four of those wins and that pattern could continue at the City Ground on Wednesday.
MAN UNITED TO WIN AND BOTH TEAMS TO SCORE
