Manchester City played out to a 0-0 draw in midweek against Stoke City, which was one of the 6 fixtures postponed this weekend and with six Premier League teams still involved in this season’s FA Cup, this weekend will see just four Premier League matches get underway as our attention shifts temporarily to the oldest knockout competition in England.
The title race takes a back seat as Liverpool, the only team in the top 6 in league action this weekend, host Burnley at Anfield on Sunday. The Reds lost the reverse fixture 2-0 back in August with Sam Vokes and Andre Gray finding the back of the net for the Clarets. That was Burnley’s first victory over Liverpool since 2005 (FA Cup third round) ending a run of 4 games without a goal, conceding 11 in the process. Liverpool will once look to Sadio Mane as their source of inspiration as well as goals. The Senegalese frontman has been directly involved in 17 goals for Jurgen Klopp’s side this season (12 goals; 5 assists) – more than any other Liverpool player.
There should be a real relegation dogfight on Saturday as 16th placed Swansea travel to 19th placed Hull. Marco Silva’s men have won their last 3 meeting with the Swans in all competitions, although Paul Clement’s side came away from Hull with victory in the last league meeting played between these two at the KC Stadium. Romelu Lukaku is set to face former club West Brom, as they make their way to Goodison Park to play an Everton side who have won their last 3 matches at home. Both teams will be looking to return to winning ways after defeats to Crystal Palace and Tottenham respectively. The Belgian will be looking to add to his tally of 3 goals against the Baggies after breaking Duncan Ferguson’s record to become Everton’s all-time leading scorer last time out. Elsewhere on Saturday we can expect goals as Bournemouth, seeking a first win in 10 matches, play a West Ham United side who have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their last 6 fixtures.
Eight teams will be looking to secure one of four spots at next month’s Wembley Semi-Finals. Manchester City travel to Middlesbrough, who have really struggled for goals this season (6 in their last 9 games). Arsenal and Spurs have home comforts against lower league teams Lincoln City and Millwall respectively, who themselves will be looking to pull off another giant killing. The tie of the round is undoubtedly Chelsea’s clash with Jose Mourinho’s Man United on Monday. Chelsea have not been defeated by United in any of their previous 11 meetings, the most recent being a 4-0 demolition of The Red Devils at Stamford Bridge in October. Zlatan Ibrahimovic will miss the opportunity to return to a ground where he has both scored and been sent off, as he begins a three game suspension for violent conduct.
Fixtures as follows:
Premier League
Saturday:
Hull City vs Swansea City
Everton vs West Bromwich Albion
Bournemouth vs West Ham United
Sunday:
Liverpool vs Burnley
FA Cup
Saturday:
Middlesbrough vs Manchester City
Arsenal vs Lincoln City
Sunday:
Tottenham Hotspur vs Millwall
Monday:
Chelsea vs Manchester United