By Ikeddy ISIGUZO
OUR attention is on the FA Cup where six EPL teams are battling for semi-final places. Full EPL action resumes on 2 April.
Three EPL fixtures are of some consequence. They are capable of consigning Manchester United to further fringes of the top four. Man United are not involved in any of the matches.
Aston Villa against Arsenal will keep United and their fans on the edge of their seats. An Arsenal victory pushes Man United further out of contention for the lucrative first four finishing. Whatever happens in this fixture, Arsenal still have a match in hand.
The Spurs and West Ham game is another nightmare for United. Both teams are right behind United. A win for any of them would pose more threats to United’s relevance in the rest of the race.
Right at the top Manchester City faced unexpected torments from Patrick Viera’s Crystal Palace. The draw was a relief for City though it sounded the warning that the title was still in contest.
Then to the FA Cup where Liverpool based on history would be quaking. Their opponents Notthingham Forest have on Liverpool’s case for decades. They are meeting for the first time in any competition in 23 years. Their last encounter, a league tie, ended 2-2.
More frightening, Liverpool have not won any away match against Forest in 12 games dating back to 38 years ago. The FA Cup game is an away match for Liverpool.
A lot has changed over the years but Forest will take their changes and Liverpool will not play with trepidation.
The cracker would be Chelsea’s tie with giant-killers Middlesbrough who took out EPL teams Manchester United and Tottenham in succession. Will Chelsea be next? Middlesbrough are lowly rated in this game. The last time they beat Chelsea, twice, was in 2006. They have not won in their last eight games against Chelsea, conceding 19 goals and scoring zero goals.
The remaining pairings are among familiar EPL teams. Those watching Palace and Everton; Southampton and Manchester City may need to be reminded that it is the FA Cup.
Enjoy the games.
EPL
Saturday 19 March
Aston Villa v Arsenal
Sunday 20 March
Spurs v West Ham
Leicester v Brentford
FA Cup Q/Finals
Saturday 19 March
Middlesbrough v Chelsea
Sunday 20 March
Crystal Palace v Everton
Southampton v Man City
Notthingham Forest v Liverpool
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