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The FA Cup might not be as popular as it once was, but big ties like this will always whet the appetite. Arsenal versus Manchester United is an FA Cup classic. From the Ryan Giggs game to the FA Cup Final win for Arsenal (on penalties) in the 2005 season, through to the infamous game where Nani carried out many flicks and tricks, this is a tie that has – more often than not – went in favor of United.

Can Arsenal finally put an end to that?

Arsenal News

The injuries are racking up for the Gunners, with injuries to the likes of Henrikh Mkhitaryan, Hector Bellerin, Danny Welbeck and Rob Holding vastly limiting their squad depth. We could see Mesut Ozil return to the team, though it would be a surprise given his complete drop-off from the first team picture under Unai Emery.

We could also see some of the younger players get a game, with Emery showing no fear in putting faith in the next generation.

 

Manchester United News

United, though, come with some interesting issues of their own. Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw might sit this one out, with both having played a lot under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. We could also see Marouane Fellaini miss out, after his injury looked quite serious.

With a home league game against Burnley just four days after this one, expect United to rotate heavily: a previously unlike shot at the Champions League spots has come into view, so this could be sacrificed to make way for it.

 

Other Sport Thoughts

This weeks other ‘sport thoughts’ cast an eye to one of the biggest sporting event of 2019, namely the Grand National held in April at Aintree racecourse. For those interested in placing a wager on horse racing in addition to their typical football bets, I can think of no better racing event to chance your arm on. With such a big field, there are a good number of outsiders for those looking for a big win at a small outlay, and for punters with a more cautious approach, you’d no doubt be joining thousands in betting on a Grand National favourite. Tiger Roll is current favourite. Perhaps he’s the one for you?

 

Verdict

Back to the game! With United in such amazing form under their caretaker coach but Arsenal slowly finding form, too, we think this could be a draw. Neither side will really want to take a replay, but we could see both sides lacking the bodies to push for a winner, which could create the spectacle of a repeat game up at Old Trafford.

After a chastening pair of defeats to end a long unbeaten run, Liverpool are back to reality with a bump. Now, they head to the home of the team with the best home record outside of the top six in the league: Brighton and Hove Albion. The Seagulls are doing quite well for themselves, and should pose a much bigger challenge than they did in the 5-0 battering they received at the Amex last year.

Brighton and Hove Albion News

The loss of Mat Ryan and Alireza Jahanbaksh to the Asian Cup is a big loss for Brighton, while the loss of the impressive Bernardo will likely be felt here, too. Jose Izquierdo is likely to miss out, too, having failed to live up to his second season so far in England.

Outside of that, though, we do not expect Brighton to be missing too many other players. They look to be in fine condition following a hectic festive period.

Liverpool News

Last year, Liverpool won at Brighton with ease despite the appearance of Giorginio Wijnadlum at centre-back. This year, something similar will be needed: Joel Matip, Joe Gomez and Dejan Lovren are all injured.

While young FA Cup debutant Ki-Jana Hoever is unlikely to play, we could see someone like Fabinho slot into the central slot again. He done well there in the loss to Wolves, but this will be another huge challenge – albeit added by the likely return of Virgil van Dijk.

Verdict

This should be a great game to watch: a home side flying and a would-be set of champions being very closely examined. The pressure is on for the Reds, and we can see them passing this test. Don’t expect it to be easy, though: Brighton are fearsome at home, and will definitely pose as stern a test as the Reds have faced so far away from home outside the traditional giants.

At the start of the season, many would have likely tipped Huddersfield Town and Brighton and Hove Albion to struggle. Their squads hardly scream top quality, and their inability to score goals at the top level was always going to be an issue.

With Brighton falling into a poor run of form, without a win in three, Huddersfield have pulled themselves away from the brink a touch here. Can either side get the points they need here, though? Huddersfield have picked up 7 of their 10 points of the season in the last three games: can they make it 10 from 12?

Huddersfield News

Town are beginning to find their stride a bite, with the return to form of Philip Billing and Aaron Mooy very much just in time. The impressive return of Terence Kongolo and Christopher Schindler has been worthwhile, too.

However, up-front they need to see a lot more from Alex Pritchard and Steve Mounie: if they are to get anything from this game, they’ll need firepower.

Brighton News

For Brighton, the plan is likely to be to get Anthony Knockaert running at the back-three, and getting balls in for the 7-goal Glenn Murray. The experienced forward has been very good this year, and could be the key to making sure they can get out of Yorkshire with a point – or three.

With Shane Duffy and Lewis Dunk impressing at the back, too, it’s very much a sit in and counter approach from Brighton.

Verdict

We can see this being an exciting score draw. There is a lot to like about both sides, and we can see there being a fair amount of drama in this one. Expect a lot of chances with both teams being quite weak at the back, and lots of extensive, energetic pressing: this is a 6-pointer worth watching.

As one Welsh team exits the Premier League, another departs. Cardiff City are out of the Championship after a few years from their short stay beforehand. A poor period for the club seen numerous odd appointments, but under crafty veteran Neil Warnock they came up with some pretty impressive form.

They come into the new season in the top flight ready to show what they are made of. However, the main problem they might have is what got them there in the first place. Warnock is a promotion specialist, but has a pretty mediocre top flight record. That could make it hard for Cardiff to do the ‘right thing’ if things go wrong, which plenty of evidence suggests it will.

Warnock in the Premier League are not great allies. He’s often struggled to mix it with the big names, and with the league further evolving in the last few years he might struggle. While Warnock has plenty of nous himself and is no fool he’s struggled at earlier periods in his management career – and with better squads – to sustain success in the Premier League.

2018/19 Prediction

It all comes down to recruitment. Chairman Vincent Tan runs a tight ship, and will make sure that the money is spent better than last time. This might make getting targets tough, but it might also mean Warnock buys from a more familiar market.
We just can’t see them, unless they have a stellar summer transfer window, having enough to stay up.

It’s been a challenging period of time for Leicester City, both on and off the pitch. Their only win in recent times came after the tragic death of the club owner, Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha. The win, a 1-0 win at Cardiff City, was their first since a 2-0 win at Newcastle United in late September. However, the Foxes hosts, Brighton and Hove Albion, have hit a bump in the road after a three-match winning run.

For all the plight at Leicester’ form for the majority of the season so far, and the plaudits for Chris Hughton, Leicester sit two places above and 3 points clear. Will they extend that after the international break?

Brighton News

If there is one thing that Brighton can say about their performances, it’s that they show immense heart. While they give away too many set piece goals for a club of their resources, they regularly come back from losing positions to get back into games.

We expect them to do the same here, with a battling performance and in front of a home crowd they often impress. At the back, Shane Duffy has been very impressive, while Glenn Murray has impressed hugely with 6 goals already.

If they are going to get anything from this game, though, they’ll need to match the heart and desire of an emotionally charged Leicester side.

Leicester News

Leicester have had a confusing season so far, with some very impressive individual performances let down by poor team performances overall. With young James Maddison and Wilfred Ndidi impressing in the middle, with Harry Maguire and Ben Chilwell standing out at the back, there’s a lot to be positive about.

However, results and overall performances have not been great outside of this quarter. The recent tragedy, though, appears to have brought people together again at the club. That fighting spirit has been apparent recently, with some impressive comebacks and also doing well to keep ahead once they get there.

Verdict

If Leicester can get ahead, they do have the record of holding a lead. With Brighton also being one of the best teams at coming back from a losing position, though, this offers some interesting tactical battles. Expect both sides to be direct, with plenty of aggression and width in both sides. This should be a tight game, and we expect it to be an entertaining score draw; two sides who maybe lack the killer touch, but offer plenty of quality and endeavor.