Sheffield United can climb as high as fifth in the Premier League table if getting the better of Bournemouth at Bramall Lane, as expected. The Blades have built their success on the back of a rock-solid rearguard, with only runaway leaders Liverpool conceding fewer goals than them this season.
Millwall have done well against West Brom in recent encounters and Sunday’s Championship clash is expected to be another decent contest. The Lions won at The Hawthorns in the EFL Cup in August, having drawn 1-1 in the league there three days earlier, plus they beat the Baggies here late on last season.
Wigan upset the odds when helping to knock Leeds off top spot in the Championship last weekend, but we’re still willing to oppose them with Preston at DW Stadium. Promotion hopefuls North End have a 100 per cent record against the current bottom six this season, winning all eight of those fixtures.
Bristol City and Birmingham both head into Friday night’s Championship clash in good spirits, but the hosts are rated a percentage pick. The sixth-placed Robins are unbeaten this season in games against bottom-half clubs at Ashton Gate, winning six of eight such fixtures, and the Blues are down in 17th.
Newcastle’s winter break has been shortened by a frustrating FA Cup replay and we fear Oxford could feel the backlash at Kassam Stadium. The Magpies wasted numerous opportunities to settle this tie at St James’ Park but Steve Bruce still seems committed to chasing a good run in the competition.
After years of debate, the Premier League has finally implemented a winter break this season, albeit a modest one. The next round of matches will be split over two consecutive weekends, ensuring every club has a fortnight’s rest between their next two league fixtures.
Norwich boss Daniel Farke feels his side are “heading totally in the right direction” as they attempt to secure another win in their fight for Premier League survival. Newcastle sit seven points above the relegation zone but were held to a goalless draw at home by League One high-flyers Oxford in the cup on Saturday.
With Frank Lampard enjoying an encouraging start as Chelsea manager despite having to work under a transfer ban, he has been rewarded for his faith in the Blues’ young players. We’ve looked back at every match in the history of the Premier League to reveal which clubs – and managers – have done the most for the careers of their young players.
Chelsea beat Hull 4-0 in the FA Cup fifth round a couple of years ago en route to lifting the trophy and will seek to tame the Tigers again in round four this term. The Blues have to travel up to KCOM Stadium this time, but have picked up more points on the road than at Stamford Bridge in the Premier League.
Manchester United should get past League One Tranmere in the FA Cup fourth round but are unlikely to have things all their own way at Prenton Park. An old-fashioned muddy pitch and opponents who like to get the ball into the box is a combination which could give the Red Devils some uneasy moments.
Shrewsbury are expected to find Liverpool too strong at New Meadow but a decent FA Cup pedigree suggests they will not go down without a fight. Town reached the quarter-finals in 1979 and 1982, knocked out Everton in 2003 and have held West Ham and Wolves to draws here in the past couple of seasons.
Wayne Rooney has made an immediate impact at Derby and can help inspire County to an FA Cup fourth round victory at League Two Northampton. The Cobblers have been playing well at their own level, though, scoring plenty of goals in a six-match unbeaten run, so this should be an entertaining tie.
We’re tracking the latest Edinson Cavani transfer news as the race to sign PSG’s want-away striker hots up and two Premier League clubs are being tipped to swoop. Man Utd are 3/2 favourites to land the Uruguay star on a permanent basis during the current window, with Chelsea quoted at 2/1.
West Brom have been stuttering in recent weeks and will be keen to ease the nerves of their fans when they host Stoke in the Monday night match. Albion began the weekend top of the Championship table but have given hope to the chasing pack with a run of five matches without a win.