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The FA Cup is back this weekend.
Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool are all in action – and on TV! – as the fourth round of the competition gets underway.
Here’s four talking points ahead of the weekend’s games:
Claudio Ranieri badly needs a win.
The FA Cup fourth round kicks-off with the East Midlands derby between Derby County and Leicester City at Pride Park.
After 22 games of the season last year, Leicester were level on-points with Arsenal at the top of the table. They would streak away over the next 16 matches, finishing 10 points of the Gunners, and win the most improbable league title ever.
After 22 games of the current season, Leicester are three points behind Watford, a point clear of Middlesbrough and just three points clear of the relegation zone.
And on current form, they look set for a battle to stay in the division.
Over the last 10 games, they have won just three games, and only twice in the league. Ranieri’s side have also lost both of their last two-games 3-0.
Something needs to change, and while it would be extremely cruel to sack the manager, that’s the step clubs usually take to arrest poor form.
Ranieri will surely be given time to turn things around for the champions, but a defeat to their local rivals won’t help his cause.
Derby, who have won six of their last 10 games, showed they are capable of causing an upset when they knocked-out West Brom in the FA Cup third round earlier this month.
This time they have home advantage, and a packed crowd behind them.
The Championship side also have “the best defender in the Championship” in the form of Richard Keogh, according to his manager Steve McClaren anyway.
Derby County v Leicester City (Eir Sport 1, 7:45pm. Kick-0ff at 7:55).
Jurgen Klopp will not want another replay.
Liverpool look lethargic against in the 3-2 defeat to Swansea City last weekend.
Jurgen Klopp’s side lost at Anfield for the first time this season, and it appears a series of games in a short supply, combined with their lack of squad depth, is placing a strain on the team.
Joel Matip’s farcical African Cup of Nations situation, which led to the player missing key games over eligibility concerns, and the absence of Sadio Mane, hasn’t helped matters.
But, after a stunning first-half of the season, Liverpool appear to be slipping out of the title race, and look devoid of the swagger that saw them steamroll teams earlier in the season.
The last thing Klopp needs is another fixture and he will want his side to get the job finished against Wolverhampton Wanderers at the first try, unlike in the last round of the FA Cup.
Over 180 minutes against Plymouth Argyle, Liverpool could only score once and survived a few scares against the League Two side.
Wolves should pose a sterner test. Paul Lambert’s side are only 18th in the Championship, but they beat Premier League side Stoke City 2-0 in the last-round.
Whatever the outcome, Klopp will undoubtedly hope Saturday’s game is settled within 90-minutes and his team will try end the game early.
Liverpool v Wolves (BT Sport 2, 12pm. Kick-off at 12:30pm).
Southampton can cause an upset
Since being promoted to the Premier League in 2013, Southampton are undefeated against Arsenal at St Mary’s.
The Saints thrashed Arsenal 4-0 when they last hosted them, and beat them 0-2 at the Emirates in November in the EFL Cup.
Southampton have a strong claim to say they are the bogey team for Arsene Wenger’s side.
Arsenal needed a late goal to beat Championship side Preston North End in the last round, while Southampton went through thanks to Shane Long’s late goal in their replay against Norwich City.
Southampton may rotate their squad for the game, as it comes a few days after they travel to play Liverpool in the EFL Cup semi-final second-leg.
However, the Saints’ strong record against Arsenal in recent seasons suggests an upset is highly possible.
Southampton v Arsenal (BT Sport 2, 5pm. Kick-off 5:30pm).
Can Manchester United will their frustrations out on Wigan Athletic?
Manchester United had 25 shots against Stoke City in their last game, eight were on target and Lee Grant, the opposition goalkeeper, was named man of the match.
Yet, for all their dominance and attacking intent, it took a stoppage time free-kick from Wayne Rooney to give them a 1-1 draw.
That’s an awful lot of attacking play to just come away with one goal and a draw. This means that their forwards were being wasteful or the opposition defence got lucky or possibly both.
Either way, something has to give and a team could be set for a hammering from United if they continue to have so many efforts on goal.
Jose Mourinho’s team have averaged 17 shots a game this season, and six on target. Against Wigan Athletic on Sunday, at least one of those shots should go in.
Wigan are currently 21st in the Championship, and have conceded 32 goals in 27 league games this season.
If United get an early goal, they could end-up putting a good few past their opponents, just as they beat Reading 4-0 in the previous round.
But if the Championship side weather the early storm from United, it could be a long afternoon for Mourinho’s team.
Manchester United v Wigan Athletic (Eir Sport 1, 3:45pm. Kick-off 4pm).
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