Grosvenor Sport ambassador Jamie O’Hara is on hand to break down three must-watch matchups in the FA Cup Fourth Round this weekend, including Tottenham’s visit to Villa Park on Sunday.
Manchester United vs Leicester – Friday 20:00
I think Manchester United will win this game. They haven’t looked good and it’s been a terrible season by their standards, but they will need to win a trophy to get the fans back on side and that could be another FA Cup. I also don’t think they’re going to struggle against this Leicester team; I don’t see the Foxes causing them any trouble.
To be honest, Leicester look worse under Ruud Van Nistelrooy; they’re in terrible form. I saw them play well against Tottenham in the Premier League, and thought they might have a chance, but I’m no longer convinced. They took a gamble appointing Van Nistelrooy, and I’m not sure it’s paid off. The manager is learning on the job! You need an experienced coach that’s got teams out of trouble in the league. I think there’s a lot of question marks around them at the moment.
Leicester will be concentrating on avoiding relegation in the Premier League; their minds won’t be fixed on a cup run.
Prediction: Manchester United 3-1 Leicester (17/2)
Brighton vs Chelsea – Saturday 20:00
For Brighton to lose 7-0 in the Premier League is unacceptable, you have to ask questions of the players in that dressing room. I think the manager’s tactical decisions made things worse in that game – both the manager and the players need to look at themselves after that result. Look at Nottingham Forest – the week before they beat Brighton, they lost 5-0 to Bournemouth! They need to pick themselves up and go again.
I think Enzo Maresca should be applauded for what has done at Chelsea this season. He’s got them organised and playing good football. They were in with a shout of challenging Liverpool for the title a few weeks ago. While I think they’re a good side, they’ve had a poor run of results recently and don’t look the same team we saw earlier in the season.
I think Brighton could win this game. I have a feeling they’ll bounce back from their dreadful result and turn up against Chelsea.
Prediction: Brighton 2-1 Chelsea (17/2)
Aston Villa vs Tottenham – Sunday 17:35
Aston Villa have undergone a lot of changes recently, including a busy January transfer window. Ollie Watkins might not be fully fit, Jhon Duran has left the club and they’re in a lot of competitions. All the speculation throughout January and the movements might have unsettled them – and anything can happen in the FA Cup.
This still could go down as one of Tottenham’s most successful ever seasons! They’re in multiple competitions; they can pull results out the bag and knockout football is unique in that sense. Ange Postecoglou’s style, in a one-off game, can beat anyone. They beat Man City, Man United and Aston Villa already, so they are capable of going to Villa Park and winning.
I’ve got a feeling Tottenham could go there and get a result. I know they’re unpredictable, but they could surprise Unai Emery and cause them some trouble.
Prediction: Aston Villa 1-2 Tottenham (21/2)