Arsenal begin their quest for a record-extending 15th FA Cup triumph by visiting Oxford and are expected to make smooth progress. The U’s are only 14th in the League One table and were beaten 2-0 at Kassam Stadium by Crystal Palace in the EFL Cup early on this season.
Leicester will take an injury-hit squad to Gillingham in the FA Cup but should surely still be too strong for the League Two basement dwellers. The Foxes lifted this trophy for the first time in 2021 and could do with a boost after three straight Premier League defeats.
Newcastle claimed the last of their six FA Cup triumphs way back in 1955 and Eddie Howe would no doubt love to end that drought this term. The Magpies start out by visiting Sheffield Wednesday in round three but may find this a tricky test against the in-form League One outfit.
Tottenham have won only four times in all competitions since October 19 so look uneasy favourites for Wednesday’s trip to Selhurst Park. Their top-four hopes suffered a further setback on New Year’s Day when they lost 2-0 at home to Aston Villa and Antonio Conte has expressed his frustration at the quality of his squad.
Aston Villa have started to show their true worth since the departure of Steven Gerrard but they do not have a great record versus Wolves. Wanderers did the double over their Midlands rivals last season and have won four of the past six derbies, whilst losing only one.
David Moyes knows the pressure is mounting after five straight Premier League defeats but the West Ham boss may settle for a draw at Leeds. The Hammers are only above the drop zone on goal difference, but their hosts are hardly flying high with just two points more.
Southampton will be desperate to end a run of five straight Premier League defeats when taking on Nottingham Forest at St Mary’s Stadium. The good news for Saints is that the Reds have struggled on the road so far, picking up just two points from eight away games.
Napoli return to action after the World Cup break with an eight-point lead in Serie A and can pick up where they left off by beating Inter Milan. The Nerazzurri are 11 points off the pace in fifth and have tended to come up short in big matches this term, even on home turf.
Arsenal are fancied to come through another examination of their Premier League title credentials when entertaining Newcastle. The Magpies are enjoying a fine campaign but must overcome an Emirates Stadium hoodoo, having lost on their last 11 visits to this venue.
Manchester United are starting to look like a major force again and it will be a big disappointment if they don’t brush aside Bournemouth. The Red Devils are chasing a fourth consecutive Premier League victory, while the Cherries have lost their last couple without scoring.
Everton enjoyed a double boost at Manchester City on Saturday and now look a value bet to see off Brighton. The Toffees took a surprise point off the champions and were buoyed by key forward Dominic Calvert-Lewin coming through his return from injury.
Leicester faced a tough return to action after the World Cup break but now begin a crucial run of Premier League fixtures when hosting Fulham. The Foxes also take on Nottingham Forest, Brighton and Aston Villa in the next few weeks and need to build up some momentum.
Brentford gave Liverpool all sorts of problems on home turf last term and are playing well enough to do the same again this season. That match finished 3-3 after a thrilling end-to-end encounter and if this clash is half as exciting, Sky Sports viewers are in for a treat.
Tottenham entertain Aston Villa in the first Premier League match of 2023 and the hosts are fancied to come out on top. However, Villa have scored on their last three visits to this venue, winning here a couple of seasons ago in between 3-1 and 2-1 defeats.