After getting through the third round on penalties, Chelsea head into their game against Newcastle hoping to avoid a replay. Chelsea’s home form has been good of late with just two dropped points in their last eight games. Newcastle, on the other hand, have won just two of their last 15 league games but both came on away trips. They eased past League Two Luton in the last round with a 3-1 home win.
Manchester United face a trip to Yeovil this evening aiming to advance to the fifth round. The League Two side are toward the bottom of the table and face a relegation fight. United, on the other hand, have picked up their form since the third round earlier this month. The 2nd place side in the Premier League have won their last three without conceding. This tie could have the feel of a proper FA Cup clash with 86 league places separating the sides.
Premier League leaders Man City travel to Cardiff in the Saturday evening game. After beating Burnley in the last round they must now get past Championship high flyers Cardiff City to keep the cup run going. Cardiff are still 3rd in the league despite winning just once in the last six league games. Home advantage did not do them any favours in round three as they needed a replay to get past Mansfield.
There are two more all Premier League ties this weekend along with the Chelsea vs Newcastle game. Liverpool face their second consecutive top division side, after beating Everton last time, as they host West Brom. West Brom beat Exeter City in round three which at the time was their first win since August. Following that they have improved in the league and picked up four points. Liverpool lost to struggling Swansea on Monday evening but have been very strong at home.
The final all Premier League tie sees two out of form sides face off on the south coast. Following a change in management Watford will be looking to improve as they travel to Southampton. Having not won in their last 11 league games Southampton are on a worrying decline but they did take a 2-0 halftime lead at Watford earlier this month. Watford then battled back and scored a controversial late equaliser in that game but haven’t won on the road since late November.
Several Premier League sides face a tricky away trip to lower league sides. Newport County of League Two face the more difficult task to progress as they welcome Tottenham to Rodney Parade. The home side have lost just one of their last 12 games including the 2-1 win over Leeds United in the last round. Tottenham brushed past Wimbledon at Wembley in round three and will be hoping to progress here with as much ease.
Leicester face a more difficult task as they travel to League One Peterborough United. Peterborough’s 3-1 win at Aston Villa in the last round was probably not a result you would have picked before kick off so Leicester must be wary. The Premier League side needed a replay to overcome Fleetwood Town last time out.
Although those two games should see the side from the top division progress, there is a chance of an upset in Nottingham as Notts County take on bottom of the league Swansea. A 1-0 win over Championship side Brentford in round three got them into the hat for this tie and could fancy their chances to progress again. Swansea have improved of late since the change of manager which was outlined by their league win over Liverpool this week.
If there are no upsets then there will be at least one side from outside the top two leagues in round five this season as MK Dons take on Coventry. MK Dons have the home advantage in this one after beating QPR away in the last round. Coventry also bear opposition from above as they knocked out Stoke and will be aiming to reach round five.