Five potential FA Cup fourth round upsets

Ian Wilkerson

Spotlight

Jon Dahl Tomasson's Blackburn will face a stern test against League Two Wrexham

- There are 16 FA Cup fourth-round ties this weekend
- Just three of the 32 teams left are from outside the top two divisions
- Recommended bets:
- Back Bristol City to beat Nottingham Forest
- Back Birmingham or tie double chance vs Leicester
- Back Fulham to beat Newcastle
- Back West Brom to beat Wolves
- Back Wrexham or tie double chance vs Blackburn

The FA Cup fourth round will take place this weekend and there is plenty of scope for a shock or two across the 16 ties.

Robins can claim another big scalp

Nottingham Forest have improved in their few weeks under Nuno Espirito Santo, but their FA Cup trip to Ashton Gate looks like a potential banana skin.

It would not be a surprise if the Portuguese boss took the opportunity to take another look at some of his fringe players and the Tricky Trees had to fight all the way to get past League One Blackpool in the last round, claiming an extra-time victory over the Seasiders.

Bristol City, meanwhile, already know what it is like to beat Premier League opposition in this year’s competition, as they completed the job against West Ham in a replay on home soil after earning a 1-1 draw at the London Stadium.

The confidence taken from that success should be huge and they are capable of causing a surprise against their Midlands visitors.

Blues are showing some mettle

Leicester look set to make an immediate return to the Premier League, but the Foxes have not been firing on all cylinders lately and that could make them vulnerable in a competition that will not be considered a priority at the King Power.

Regaining their top-flight status is vital, but they have fallen to a 3-1 defeat to Coventry and drawn with fellow promotion challengers Ipswich lately, so Enzo Maresca’s side need to refocus.

And it would not be a surprise if Birmingham put up a strong performance when they travel across the Midlands.

Blues endured a miserable time under Wayne Rooney, but initial signs are that the experienced Tony Mowbray is likely to steady the ship.

They are unbeaten in four following their 2-1 Championship victory at Stoke on Saturday and Birmingham could do enough to ensure they are at least in the draw for the last 16.

Tony Mowbray has made a strong start to life as Birmingham manager

Magpies’ away form is a worry

While it would not be a huge shock if Fulham came out on top of this one, Newcastle are a short enough price to mean that they should be opposed when they visit Craven Cottage on Saturday evening.

Fulham have suffered with inconsistency for most of this season, but before they were due to face Liverpool in the League Cup on Wednesday, they had won five of their previous six home matches.

That run included 5-0 successes against Nottingham Forest and West Ham, so they can be ruthless if they get the wind in their sails and Newcastle’s away form is a huge concern.

Eddie Howe’s side won 8-0 at Sheffield United, but they have lost their last five games on the road, which makes progress to the fifth round far from guaranteed.

The latest FA Cup fourth round odds are available on LiveScore Bet

Baggies can enjoy derby joy

Many will think Tottenham’s clash with holders Manchester City is the tie of the round, but you will not hear that in the Midlands with West Brom set to entertain Wolves in the Black Country derby.

No quarter is likely to be given at The Hawthorns, where Championship leaders Leicester are the only visiting team to have won since the beginning of September, which is a run of 12 Albion matches.

They are in the thick of the play-off picture, but the fact this is a massive derby will mean there will be no slack and they could just come out on top.

Wolves have collected just two wins in their last 11 games on the road and this looks a tough assignment.

Carlos Corberan will be hoping to deliver derby delight for West Brom this weekend

Rovers may not put Dragons’ fire out

Blackburn are having an underwhelming season in the Championship and one win in their last eight matches means they would be unwise to dismiss League Two highflyers Wrexham.

Rovers beat Cambridge 5-2 in the last round at Ewood Park, but they have conceded 21 goals in their last eight games, so it is difficult to put much confidence in their rearguard.

Wrexham will be prioritising a push for a second consecutive promotion, but they have won six of their last eight matches and could do enough to at least take their opponents to a replay at the Racecourse Ground.