Tonight is the start of the fourth round ties as League 2 Cambridge United welcome the global brand that is Manchester United. A game that highlights the dream that all lower division clubs harbour; a chance to rub shoulders with some of the game’s elite, a chance for David to have a go at Goliath, a chance for a souvenirs and a career defining moment, and maybe a chance to create not just history, but a shock that reverberates around the world.
Is it really possible though? Well, yes it is. History does show us, however, that shocks of this size are few and far between. When they happen though, everyone remembers! Wrexham beating Arsenal, Stevenage beating Newcastle, Bristol City beating Liverpool…..at Anfield.
The ingredients for a cup upset are all in place, some appalling weather this week following the busy holiday fixture list, a tight ground with a big crowd and under the floodlights too. So can Cambridge pull of the unthinkable? Well no actually, I think it may be too big a task for them. There are some other ties this weekend though where an upset is very much on the cards.
Bristol City are flying high in League 1, joint top with a game in hand and a good gap below them to the teams chasing. Steve Cotterill’s men will be full of confidence and a big crowd at Ashton Gate surely believe that the visiting West Ham team are beatable, despite them being in the midst of a good season themselves. The Hammers would love a good cup run but big Sam would probably take a replay right now if you offered it, this is a real tricky test and certainly one that could be a banana skin.
Another game than must have flashing warning signs for the Premier League side is West Brom’s trip to St Andrews to take on Birmingham City. Tony Puliis s still relatively new in post and working to improve his squad heading, all while heading into a local derby against a Birmingham side who started the season poorly but have now found some form and steadily climbed to 11th in the Championship table; just 9 points off the play off zone. Gary Rowett will have his men up for this and it will take all of Tony Pulis’ considerable experience and maybe a little luck for the baggies to come out of this with their name in the hat for the next round.
It is a similar story at the Stadium of Light where Gus Poyet’s struggling Sunderland side welcome Fulham, who under the guidance of former player Kit Symons have followed Birmingham up the Championship table, with only a point separating the two clubs. Coming off the back of good wins against Reading and Nottingham Forest this is a trip that should hold only opportunity for Fulham, they can go and play with freedom and try to pile more pressure on the Wearsiders.
Finally, it may not seem like the most obvious potential upset but Aitor Karanka has put together a very good Middlesbrough side who currently sit 2nd in the Championship only a point behind Bournemouth. That in itself should be reason to think their tie against current champions Manchester City wouldn’t be a walk over, then you take into account this is probably the lowest of City manager Manuel Pellegrini’s priorities especially with a potentially league deciding visit to Stamford Bridge the following week; suddenly this looks very much a potential shock. Boro will also be backed by a large support, loud and in party mode they will be determined to enjoy their trip in the hope that next season it will become a regular fixture. Then, finally, there is the additional factor that Manchester City have taken this opportunity for a mid-season break to get some sunshine and warmth; not in itself a bad thing you may say, but the decision not to land back until the morning of the match into a very chilly Manchester could see City being caught cold. So the magic of the FA Cup may involve a big club from Manchester being knocked out by lower league opposition, but if it is going to happen then it will likely be at the Etihad.
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