The FA Cup draw has been made for the fifth round stage. Premier League leaders Liverpool face Chelsea if they get through their replay, while the lowest-ranked side left could face the mighty Manchester United.
FA Cup Draw
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town or Liverpool
Chelsea’s route to round five wasn’t easy after they were made to work hard for their away win at Hull City. However, Liverpool may not even get there yet after their youthful side blew a two-goal lead at League One side Shrewsbury Town.
The kids will have to do it all again after Jurgen Klopp confirmed that Neil Critchley’s U23 side will fulfil the fixture so that the first team can go on their league-assigned winter break. That will give Shrewsbury all the more confidence that they can produce a shock at Anfield, especially after the way that Aston Villa beat Liverpool’s U23s in the Carabao Cup.
Should Chelsea end up playing Shrewsbury, they will no doubt feel confident that they can get through to the quarter-finals with relative ease. If Liverpool’s youngsters do the business against the Shrews though, Frank Lampard’s side will certainly be in for a tougher test.
Northampton Town or Derby County v Manchester United
Northampton Town were the lowest-ranked side in the draw for this round (Portsmouth are the lowest-ranked definitely through). They held Phillip Cocu’s Derby County to a goalless draw in the Friday night game, but now that they know their reward for winning the replay, Derby may feel more inclined to go for it at Pride Park.
The Cobblers will certainly be up for the test but both sides will have to be wary of the way that Manchester United dismantled Tranmere Rovers in the last round. The Red Devils led 5-0 at the break before adding another in the second half and rarely looked like they had got out of second gear.
Derby, given their form, should be worried about facing such a prospect, whereas Northampton, with nothing to fear, would probably see it as more of a free hit and play without any fear.
Draw in Full
Sheffield Wednesday v Manchester City
Reading or Cardiff City v Sheffield United
Chelsea v Shrewsbury Town or Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion v Newcastle United or Oxford United
Leicester City v Coventry City or Birmingham City
Northampton Town or Derby County v Manchester United
Southampton or Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City
Portsmouth v Bournemouth or Arsenal
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