We`ve got an action-packed FA Cup coming our way, kick starting with a banging fixture on Friday evening! Get yourself up to date with our match previews!
Friday: Manchester City vs Arsenal
Manchester City will be full of confidence on Friday night coming off a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wolverhampton in the EPL. Worries about Haaland`s drop in form have been squashed on Sunday as the Norwegian striker bagged himself a hattrick in front of the home crowd. The Citizens are now just within 5 points of Arsenal on the EPL table, but all focus is now on the FA Cup. Luckily for the Manchester side, they have beaten Arsenal in all 5 of their last encounters, including a Carabao Cup game back in 2020 – giving them a great advantage going into the Round of 32 clash.
The Gunners will be buzzing after securing a 3-2 victory over Manchester United in the Premier League. A last-minute goal from Eddie Nketiah ensured the Gunner`s 5-point lead on the EPL table. Although Arsenal have not yet faced the Citizens this season, as previously mentioned they have failed to get past them in their last 5. However, everybody can agree that we have seen a different Arsenal side this season and although they are not the clear favourites, we expect both teams to score and over 2.5 goals in the match.
Saturday: Manchester United vs Reading
Manchester United go into the fixture on the back of a comfortable 3-0 victory in the first leg of the Carabao Cup semi-finals. Marcus Rashford has bagged yet another goal in that fixture and seems to be playing close to the ‘form of his life’. The Red Devils are still in the race for the Top 4, Carabao Cup, Europa League and considering their recent displays, with just 1 loss in their last 10 games, we expect them to cruise past Reading on Saturday.
Reading are understandably the heavy underdogs in this fixture. Sitting 16th on the Championship table, having won just 4 games in their last 10 across all competition. Their backline has been leaking too, as they`ve conceded at least 1 goal in 8 of the last 10 mentioned matches. Manchester United won all of the last 5 times these 2 sides met and considering both sides` run of form it is unlikely that Reading will cause too many problems for the Devils. We expect Manchester United to win and over 2.5 goals.
Brighton go into the fixture in an impressive form, having lost just 1 of their last 6 games in all competitions and coming-off a 2-2 draw against Leicester City. Sitting 6th on the Premier League table, Roberto De Zerbi has got the Seagulls playing in a way many were not expecting. They have also been a headache for Liverpool this season – holding them to a 3-3 draw and thrashing the Reds 3-0 in the most recent fixture. Thus, they have unsurprisingly evened out they odds against the Reds and will certainly not be an easy opposition on Sunday.
Liverpool`s shocking season is yet to turn around as they come off a 1-1 draw against Chelsea in the Premier League. They are sitting 9th of the table, 2 points below Brighton and have scraped into FA Cup Round of 32 with a mere 1-0 victory over Wolverhampton. All-in-all, Liverpool have been a shade of their former self and it is unlikely that we will see a comfortable performance from them. The time these 2 have met been high-scoring affairs, so we expect both teams to score and over 3.5 goals.
Olimpians, we hope you have a fantastic weekend!