Here’s a look ahead at the biggest matches in the FA Cup fourth round this weekend, along with top betting tips for each game.

Liverpool v Manchester United

No doubting the big game of this weekend’s FA Cup fourth round action as Liverpool play host to arch rivals Manchester united in what promises to be an action packed and explosive encounter.

There is always a hostile atmosphere when these two sides lock horns, but it’s going to be even more so in this lunchtime clash (12.45pm, Live on ITV1) in the wake of the fall-out from Luis Suarez’s eight-match ban for racially abusing Patrice Evra.

Both clubs have tried to ease tensions in the build-up,with Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and United boss Sir Alex Ferguson pleading for calm in the hope that it is the football that takes centre stage.

The bookmakers make Liverpool favourites at 2.6, but it’s United who I fancy to come out on top at the 3.1 on offer with bet365 – despite the fact that they are battling with a growing list of injuries.

The Red Devils currently have 11 men on the treatment table, and Wayne Rooney is now a doubt to make the staring XI having not trained all week.

But hey have beaten their opponents on eight of the last nine occasions they have been drawn against each other in the competition, and have also only lost one of their last 16 FA Cup ties away from home.

Hernandez has scored in both of his visits to Anfield, and looks decent value at 8 with Paddy Power to net the opener.

The stats also reveal that e last seven times they have met in the FA Cup, the winning side has won by a single-goal margin so I am going to put up United to win 2-1 as the suggestion for those that like to play the correct score market.

That outcome is a massive looking 13 with Paddy Power.

QPR v Chelsea

Chelsea look a banker bet at 1.67 with Betfred to beat QPR at Loftus Road in a game which has already made the headlines ore than any other this week before a ball has even been kicked.

The Blues have only lost four of their last 35 FA Cup matches away from home, whereas the Hoops have lost 11 of their last 12 against top-flight sides.

Mark Hughes’ side win over MK Dons in the third round replay was their first in the competition since 2001, whereas Chelsea have a terrific FA Cup pedigree having won three of the past five finals.

there is certainly no love lost between the two sides, and much of the build up to this game has focussed on whether John Terry and Anton Ferdinand will shake hands before kick off.

It stems from an alleged racist comment made by Terry towards 26-year-old Ferdinand during the sides’ league clash at Loftus Road on October 23 which Chelsea lost 1-0, but he strenuously denies the charge and the case goes to court next week.

Paddy Power go 1.91 about there being no handshake, and I am pretty sure there won’t be one.

With Didier Drogba and Salomon Kalou on international duty for the Ivory Coast in Africa, bookmakers make Dean Sturridge favourite to open the scoring. He is a 5.5 shot with the likes of bet365, Boylesports and Betfred and that looks decent value given that Fernando “how do I score” Torres has been chalked up at the same price.

I fancy Chelsea to win 2-1 and that scoreline is a standout 8.5 with bet365.

Arsenal v Aston Villa

On Monday night, Arsenal look a steal at 1.57 to beat Aston Villa at the Emirates if the stats are anything to go by.

The two sides have met nine times in the FA Cup with the Gunners progressing on six occasions.

They have also won five and lost just one of eight home ties in this competition against the Villans, who haven’t won an away tie against a top flight side since 2000.

An even more impressive stat though is that Arsenal have lost only one of 33 matches on their own patch under Arsene Wenger.

On the team news front the Gunners could be boosted by the return of Spanish playmaker Mikel Arteta who missed the game against Manchester United with a groin strain.

On-loan Thierry Henry, who  was also missing against the Red Devils due to a calf problem, may also play a part if he passes a fitness test on Saturday.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also likely to keep his place starting XI after a lively showing against United before being controversially substituted late on for Arshavin

The youngster has really impressed me in recent weeks and  appeals at the 8 on offer with bet365 to score first. He’s is also get 3 with Paddy Power about him scoring anytime and that looks a decent price given that he will be keen to prove that Wenger’s decision to take him off against United was the wrong one.

For those that like a punt on the correct score, I like the look of Arsenal to win 2-1 at a standout 8.5 with bet365.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

We preview Liverpool v Manchester United ahead of their match this Saturday in the FA Cup. The analysis highlights Craig Bellamy and his striking rivals, as well as comparing José Enrique and Patrice Evra.

BELLAMY DESERVES HIS CHANCE IN ABSENCE OF SUAREZ

Manchester United and Liverpool resume their fierce rivalry in the 4^th Round of the FA Cup this weekend, with Castrol EDGE Performance data showing that Craig Bellamy deserves to continue leading the Liverpool attack following strong performance this season.

Bellamy’s appearances have been limited compared to goal-shy Dirk Kuyt and the Manchester United attacking duo of Danny Welbeck and Wayne Rooney. However, of the quartet Bellamy has the best chance conversion rate (29% for his 5 goals), pass completion (86%) and is the most creative, laying on a chance for a teammate once every 27 minutes, by far the highest rate.

In addition he sits only just behind Rooney with a goal every 128 minutes scored (compared with Rooney’s 126) and is second to Welbeck with a 59% shooting accuracy. Somewhat surprisingly Bellamy’s dribbling ability seems to have deserted him this season, with a 29% completion rate, whereas Rooney boasts an impressive 66%.

Robin van Persie vs Wayne Rooney in Premier League 2011-12

ADVENTUROUS EVRA AND ENRIQUE LOCK HORNS

Two of the Premier League’s leading left-backs will be on show at Anfield, with Castrol EDGE Performance data revealing that José Enrique and Patrice Evra are performing to a similar level this season.

While Enrique has the edge with tackles won (80%), it is Evra who has a far superior clearance rate with 4.93 per 90 minutes compared to Enrique’s 0.95 (156 total versus 30), perhaps reflecting the pressure the United defence has come under this season.

However, Evra invites a degree of this pressure by conceding more than double the fouls of Enrique.

José Enrique’s key strength though is going forward, completing the most number of dribbles of any defender in the Premier League with 39 this season. Evra is second with 28, showing that both will be a key source of their team’s attacking ambitions this weekend.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Liverpool are 1.12 to beat Oldham tonight and progress into the next round of the FA Cup, and it really should be a case of how many they win by despite their poor home record.

The Reds have won all three previous meetings between the two sides in this competition, and although they have been eliminated at this stage in each of the last two seasons it’s 88 years since they went three consecutive seasons without making it past the third round.

In  reality there is a huge gulf between the two sides.

The visitors are currently contesting their 15th consecutive season in the third division and sit 52 places below Liverpool in the Football League.

Dalglish is likely to rotate his squad tonight, which could mean recalls for defenders Jamie Carragher and Sebastian Coates who have not started since the Carling Cup win at Chelsea in late November.

Striker Luis Suarez serves the second game of an eight-match ban, and that is likely to mean a return for Craig Bellamy, looks good value to score first and set them on the way to victory at the 4.75 on offer with bet365.

He is the type of player who thrives on this stage, and his terrier like attitude is likely to cause the Oldham backline all sorts of problems.

Liverpool to win to nil also looks worth a punt at 1.83 with Paddy Power. That looks a huge price given their cramped odds in the outright market.

1-0 to United?

Manchester United are 3.5 shots to gain their revenge on City in this weekend’s derby clash at the Etihad and the stats suggest their may not be as much to choose between the two sides as the odds suggest.

This is will be the eighth FA Cup meeting between the two sides, and the Red Devils have won four compared to City’s   three so far.

United have also only been eliminated at this stage once in 26 attempts since 1984 – that defeat coming in 2009/10 against Leeds.

There has also not been much between the two sides in their last seven clashes at the Etihad, with five of those games ending 1-0 – twice to City and three times to United.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side will be keen to banish the memory of their meeting in the league earlier in the season at Old Trafford which saw City register a 6-1 victory.

The problem is that they have struggled with injuries in recent weeks, and come into the game on the back of losses to Blackburn and Newcastle.

It would be no surprise if Sir Alex started with a five-man midfield in a bid to try and stop the Citizens playing free-flowing football.

If that’s the case then Rooney could well play as a lone striker, where he will go head-to-head with Kompany in what could be a titanic battle.

I fancy United to sneak it 1-0, and that scoreline is an 11 shot with bet365.

Chelsea v Portsmouth

Chelsea are 1.2 shots to beat Portsmouth in their 3rd round FA Cup tie at The Bridge, and they really should run riot and register a wide victory.

The Blues have won their last six matches against Portsmouth in all competitions, conceding just one goal in the process.

They are also unbeaten in their last 16 FA Cup games since the start of 2008/09 – not including penalty shoot-outs -  winning 13 and drawing three.

It really should be a question of how many they put past their opponents, and Didier Drogba the one that appeals to get the opener and things underway.

He has scored in his last three appearances against Portsmouth and is a standout 4.5 with bet365 to net the opener. That looks cracking value given that he is a short as 3.25 in a place.

I also think  backing Chelsea in the HT/FT market looks a solid wager at 1.57 with Paddy Power as it’s nigh on impossible to envisage them not being ahead after 45 minutes.

I fancy them to win this 4-0 which is an 11 shot with bet365.

Arsenal v Leeds

Arsenal are a top priced 1.29 to win their FA Cup 3rd round tie against Leeds at the Emirates on Monday, a game which could see a first start for Thierry Henry since his return to the club.

Henry completed his return to the club today when he signed a short-term loan deal from the Major League Soccer’s New York Red Bulls.

The move to bring back the 34-year-old former France international, who left the Gunners for Barcelona in 2007, had long been expected and he is a 5.5 shot with Betfred to make a dream start and net the opening goal.

That looks a decent price given that he 11 goals in 11 games against Leeds in all competitions, including four in his last appearance against them at Highbury.

You can also get 2.25 with Betfred about him scoring anytime, and that makes plenty of appeal if Arsene Wenger decides to give him a start.

Whether he plays or not Arsenal’s record in this competition suggests they should win with the minimum of fuss.

The Gunners have made it past this round in each of the last 15 seasons and have lost only one of their last 35 FA Cup games at home under Wenger.

I fancy Arsenal to win this to nil, and they are a massive looking 2.3 with Paddy Power to do so.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Jumpers for Goalposts: How Football Sold Its Soul
by Rob Smyth and Georgina Turner
Published 1st December, £11.99 paperback original, Elliott & Thompson

Here’s an extract from this excellent book:

FA Cup’s Demise

Few developments in modern football have provoked such undiluted sadness as the demise of the FA Cup. If the spirit of English football could be encapsulated in one thing, it would be the FA Cup: a chance for anyone in the pyramid to have a go and see how fate was feeling. It mattered.

‘The FA Cup final is the greatest single match outside the World Cup final,’ Sir Bobby Robson once said, and time was you’d have been hard pushed to argue. In recent years, however, the FA Cup has lost so much of its lustre that it’s almost impossible to see how it can regain its former status.

In truth, the FA hasn’t always helped matters, increasingly happy for its showpiece to defer to questionable demands. The decision to allow Tottenham and Arsenal to play their 1991 FA Cup semi-final at Wembley was taken because it was felt that no neutral venue could properly accommodate the tie, but it stripped the final of its unique glamour.

In the following years the FA appeared to wrestle with its conscience, playing both semi-finals at Wembley in 1993 (the north London sides met again) and 1994, before switching back to neutral grounds – except for the 2000 semi-finals, which went back to the soon-to-be-demolished Wembley. Once the new stadium was under construction and over budget, the FA announced that all semi-finals would be held there once it was open; once-in-a-lifetime trips don’t pay the bills.

The FA has so far shown itself to be immune to supporters’ distaste at the watering down of a Wembley awayday (or the lunacy of forcing four teams down to London from the north, as happened in 2011), but it can be incredibly obliging, allowing Arsenal to play their UEFA Champions League ‘home’ games at Wembley in 1998 and 1999 so that UEFA’s oversized advertising hoardings didn’t eat into capacity (playing at Wembley virtually doubled it).

The cup itself suffered a symbolic blow in 1999/2000, when the FA pressured Manchester United into pulling out of the competition so that they could play, at the invitation of FIFA, in the inaugural World Club Championship in Brazil. The plan was to butter up Sepp and Co. while they were considering hosts for the 2006 World Cup, but this backfired spectacularly as Blatter later announced that the competition would have no impact on the bidding process. Germany, who didn’t send a team, got the gig.

This is an extract from Jumpers for Goalposts: How Football Sold Its Soul by Rob Smyth and Georgina Turner , published 1st December, £11.99 paperback original, Elliott & Thompson.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

It’s been 35 long, painful years, but Manchester City fans can finally trade in tears of anguish for tears of joy. The Citizens won the FA Cup with a 1-0 win over Stoke City, providing the first bit of silverware in Roberto Mancini’s career in England as well as the first trophy under the lavish and free-spending ownership of Sheikh Mansour. Yaya Toure more than earned his £200,000 a week salary by slamming home the lone goal in the 75th minute.

The game was about as one-sided as a 1-0 match can be. Man City dominated possession (60%) and chances, putting 14 shots on frame to Stoke’s one. That shot – a glancing toepoke by Kenwyne Jones – and a penalty claim on a Vincent Kompany handball aside, Joe Hart had very little to worry him. Even Stoke’s famed set piece abilities were neutered by flawless defending and flat deliveries.

The first half was particularly lopsided. Thomas Sorensen, his side’s best player, needed every shred of fingernail to tip a looping Mario Balotelli shot just the other side of the far post. And later Balotelli caused havoc again, nearly latching onto a Carlos Tevez chip before Sorensen somehow blundered the ball away. On the rebound, David Silva somehow construed to scuff his half-volley into the dirt, rather than the net, and Stoke limped into the half even at goose eggs.

The halftime team talk by Tony Pulis helped, because Stoke finally showed some desire in the opening minutes of the second stanza. Jermaine Pennant, shaking off a twisted ankle suffered in injury time of the first half, in particular looked lively.

But with set pieces failing them and Nigel De Jong clanging shut any moves which progressed through the middle, Man City always looked the likelier of the sides to break through. And so they did, with only a quarter hour remaining in the match.

Balotelli had kept his cool, even when Robert Huth elbowed him in the face, and he showed exactly why he cost so much money and is so highly rated. A genius backheel at the top of the box found David Silva streaking in towards goal. The tiny Spaniard returned the pass, and Balotelli’s shot while falling was blocked. The ball spurted back out to Yaya Toure, who slammed the ball home with enough venom to take Sorensen into the goal had the keeper managed to get in the way.

From there, the game opened right up. Pulis threw on all his attacking substitutes, including John Carew, and both sets of forwards camped out in the opposition half, with defenses booting the ball up to them. Still, Man City shaded the chances, with David Silva in particular testing Sorensen with a smart low shot.

But no more goals arrived, and the trophy went to Manchester, rather than Stoke, City. Stoke, who have never played in the FA Cup final before, can be proud of a strong season which will likely include a top half finish in the EPL. But it’s Man City, on the day Manchester United won a record 19 first division titles, which will celebrate.

The win will likely ensure the continued employment of Roborto Mancini. The Italian has won an impressive 11 trophies with four clubs, including domestic knock-out competitions at each team he’s managed (Sampdoria, Lazio, Inter, and now Manchester City). However, the future of Tevez is still in doubt. The captain angled rather publicly for a move away last summer, and may do so again this time around, after taking off the scarf given him before lifting the trophy. Instead, he tied an Argentina flag around his neck.

Those concerns are for another day, however. Today is all about celebrating. Man City fans will forever treasure the lasting images from this Wembley match: Balotelli’s infectious grin and childish shenanigans with Toure, Liam Gallagher raising a champagne glass as his own song blared through the speakers, and Tevez trotting up to the stage wearing the lid of the FA Cup as a hat.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

In the clash of two very disparate Cities, there are a certain amount of similarities. Both feature powerful teams capable of grinding out necessary results thanks to a sturdy defensive platform. Both crashed down into the third tier of domestic football as recently as 1998, after playing each other in the final game of the season. And both last won a trophy – any trophy – in the 1970s. It was the League Cup in both cases, but Manchester City and Stoke City now duke it out in the FA Cup final.

Of course, the gulf in finances safely excludes any illusions of equality or brotherhood. Stoke City has patched together a team which, under Tony Pulis, can scrap away from relegation, with a club transfer record of £8m. Manchester City qualified for the Champions League midweek, is owned by a billionaire Sheikh, and spent more than that £8m on Wayne Bridge, who was shunted out on loan to West Ham United. Mario Balotelli, who cost three times that amount, likely won’t start the match.

Yet, despite the nine-digit figures spent putting together a squad, Man City’s attack has relied heavily on Carlos Tevez. The stout Argentine has scored or assisted nearly half (48%) of his side’s Premier League goals, and scored a league-leading 35% of them, despite a recent dip in form and troubles with injury.

Stoke defenders will keep a special eye on Tevez, even if his continued recovery means he features from the bench. Meanwhile, Roberto Mancini will have spent time trying to teach his players how to defend against Stoke’s set pieces. Rory Delap’s throws have proven particularly troublesome for the Citizens’ backline in the past, including last year’s FA Cup fifth round encounter. Furthermore, half (44% excluding penalties) of Stoke’s goals in the league have come from set pieces. Silly fouls and casual clearances out of bounds could determine which side ends a nearly four decade drought for a trophy.

Join all the action live with Soccerlens by interacting with Zac Lee Rigg’s live commentary below.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Manchester City v Stoke City
2011 FA Cup Final
Wembley Stadium, London
Saturday, 14 May 2011
15:00 BST

Manchester City and Stoke City are vying to make history on Saturday as they contest the 2011 FA Cup final at Wembley, having beaten more fancied rivals in Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers in the semifinals to get here.

Stoke City may be an unlikely 4.6 (Betfair) to win against Manchester City but sports betting odds only tell you so much – it’s the recent form, team strategies and available players that will determine how the teams play on Saturday, so let’s look at the key numbers surrounding the two teams.

You can follow the FA Cup Final Live Blog here.

Set Piece Kings v Open Play Specialists

Both Manchester City and Stoke City may be known for the strength and power of their players, but Castrol statistics show that in the Premier League this season, the teams have gone about their business in completely different ways.

One of the key reasons why the Potters have adapted to life in the Premier League since their promotion in 2008 has been their ability to get the most out of set pieces. A remarkable 44.2% of their goals in the Premier League this term have come from set plays (excluding penalties), the highest ratio in the league. Tony Pulis’s side have scored 11 headed goals in the league this season, whilst six of their 14 goals en route to the FA Cup final have also been headers.

City, on the other hand, have only scored 10 set piece goals (excluding their eight penalties), equating to a ratio of 21.7% percent of their total goals scored, while only Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool have scored more goals from open play than the Citizens. The fact that City have scored such a high percentage of their goals from open play may be a key reason why they have only managed two headed goals all campaign, nine fewer than their fellow finalists.

Man City v Stoke City – Premier League 2010/11

Can Tevez Make The Difference?

Carlos Tévez has scored/assisted a higher proportion of his team’s goals than any other player in the Premier League this season, directly contributing to 48% of Manchester City’s goals this campaign. However, one also has to contend with the fact that without Tevez the average number of goals scored by Manchester City is higher than with Tevez, which is as much a reflection of him being rested for the weakest opposition as Manchester City finding a way to work without him in his prolonged injury absence.

However, if one man is going to make the difference in the season’s showpiece next Saturday, Carlos Tévez could be it. The Argentinean had been in inspired form for City this season before his recent injury, but is in with a chance of making the Wembley squad.

And a comparison between the Argentine and Stoke City’s form man Kenwyne Jones, who has notched five goals in his last six games, further highlights the difference between the styles of play of the two sides.

Tévez has scored 19 goals this season in the Premier League, 10 more than Jones, and has also provided six more assists than the former Sunderland man. But, interestingly, Jones has headed in six goals, five more than Tévez, although this is perhaps unsurprising given he has fired in 39 headed shots compared to Tévez’s one.

Tévez has also scored three goals and provided two assists in the FA Cup this season, despite only making three starts. With Edin Dzeko struggling since his big money move from Germany and the unpredictable Mario Balotelli lacking consistency (and likely to be targeted by the Stoke defence), could Tévez’s return be the inspiration Roberto Mancini needs to bring the famous trophy back to the club for the first time since 1969?

FA Cup Final moved to accommodate Champions League Final

UEFA rules require that the ground hosting the Champions League final should not be used for two weeks prior to the final (28 May this year). Therfore the FA were left with May 14 as their deadline for playing the FA Cup final.

Traditionally, the FA Cup final takes place after the final round of Premier League fixtures, however with the country facing a busy schedule in all competitions in the month of May, it was unfortunately impossible to arrange this time around.

Consequently, this year’s final will be played on May 14, meaning that just three or four of the scheduled eight or nine games for the penultimate round, will be played on that day.

The Cup final will be played at 1500 BST, whilst the  four other fixtures on the Saturday will be played at 1245 BST.

City were due to play host to Stoke in the penultimate round of league fixtures, however with both teams progressing to the FA Cup Final this fixture will now be played in midweek. Manchester City have already qualified for the Champions League and are pushing for the third spot to ensure automatic qualification but for this weekend, their focus will be only on winning their first trophy for more than 34 years. That, and welcoming their new fanbase.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

In an ESPNsoccernet.com survey of fans, Sir Alex Ferguson was voted the Greatest FA Cup Manager of all time, and Eric Cantona was voted the all-time Dream FA Cup Player.

Tens of thousands of fans voted online in the ESPNsoccernet Cup of Dreams poll, launched in January by ESPN to celebrate its first season broadcasting the FA Cup. The Ultimate FA Cup XI was selected from a list of 40 players nominated by ESPNsoccernet’s editorial team as finalists. The players with the most votes in each position were named in the Ultimate XI – based on a classic 4-4-2 formation.

With the third highest vote total, Ashley Cole’s FA Cup record of six Final wins has seen him selected in the Ultimate XI’s defence alongside Tony Adams, Bobby Moore and Gary Pallister. Ryan Giggs received the most total votes, and led an all-time FA Cup midfield where he was joined by Steven Gerrard, Patrick Vieira and Roy Keane. Fans selections at forward were Ian Rush and Eric Cantona, while Peter Schmeichel was selected as the all-time FA Cup goalkeeper.

Fans’ Choice:

XI: Schmeichel, Pallister, Adams, Moore, Cole, Gerrard, Keane, Vieira, Giggs, Rush, Cantona.
Dream Player: Cantona.
Manager: Sir Alex Ferguson.

Editors’ Choice:

XI: Seaman, Pallister, Adams, Moore, Cole, Giggs, Keane, Robson, Vieira, Rush, Hughes.
Dream Player: Rush.
Manager: Arsene Wenger.

Manager:
Arsene Wenger

Also See:

Stoke v Bolton Preview (FA Cup Semi Final).
Manchester United v Manchester City Preview (FA Cup Semi Final).
FA Cup Final date confirmed to accommodate UEFA Champions Leauge and English Premier League fixtures.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

A victory for Stoke City against Bolton on 17th April 2011 would not only propel the club to their first FA Cup final appearance, but it would also wipe away some of the stigma attached to one of the country’s oldest football clubs.

In Stoke’s 128 year history, the club have never competed in an FA Cup Final. The only other Premier League club not to do this is Wigan Athletic, a club not exactly steeped in history.
Stoke had edged an FA Cup quarter final clash against West Ham with a magnificent 2-1 victory at the Britannia Stadium that was renowned more for its controversy surrounding the referee Mike Jones than the actual result to some neutrals.

But dodgy refereeing decisions aside, that result not only put Stoke back into the media spotlight, but the televised cup tie also showed Stoke playing some good passing football. A style completely opposite the long-ball game the national media had stereotypically tacked onto the club’s image.

Stoke City’s recent form will also serve as a morale booster ahead of the cup tie. The 4-0 thrashing over Newcastle United helped to keep the Potters away from the bottom three, as well as their hard-fought 1-1 draw against Premier League holders Chelsea. Stoke City supporter Paul Johnson believes that his club’s good form will improve the club’s chances against Bolton.

“I think we [Stoke City] are playing good football. Tony [Pulis] has improved our club season on season since we got promoted.

After our good form of late, I am quietly confident about the FA Cup semi-final and of course I am aware that the club could make history. But my most immediate concern is the parking at Wembley.”

The feeling around Stoke is decidedly optimistic. The draw against Bolton is, on paper, the more favourable compared to the two Manchester clubs that are in the Premier League’s top four. An FA Cup Final appearance would bolster Pulis’s already strong reputation in Staffordshire, and gift the man the opportunity to match one of his predecessors.

Tony Waddington is a name that enraptures the older generation of Stoke supporters. As manager from 1960 until 1977, Waddington had dragged Stoke into the top division and then established the club in that division whilst bringing in big names like the former England internationals Stanley Matthews, Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton. For Derek Barker, a man in his 70s, there is no doubt Waddington is Stoke’s greatest manager.

“We played great football back then and the teams he [Waddington] built and the fact we were in Division One for so long is testament to his managerial ability.

We had players like Matthews, Jimmy Greenhoff, Alan Hudson and Banks and Shilton over his tenure. We won the League Cup in ’72.

I think Pulis is a great manager, don’t get me wrong, and it would be amazing if we won the FA Cup, I cannot imagine the scenes around Hanley. But Bolton are a good team.”

Indeed Bolton are a good team. They have only lost two of their last nine games and are challenging for a Europa League place. Currently eighth in the table, Owen Coyle’s men had become media darlings for their attractive style of play and many neutrals would not begrudge the club some success this season.

But Bolton are also looking to win their first FA Cup in 53 years, having last won the competition in 1958.

Whilst the Trotters are ahead of Stoke in the table, they only lead by five points in what has been a closely-competed Premier League campaign. But Lou Macari, a former Stoke manager and columnist to the Sentinel, thinks Bolton’s style of play has been exaggerated by the press.

“The media has been falling at the feet of Bolton for some time now because they’re apparently having such a brilliant season.” Macari wrote in a recent Sentinel article.

“Many reporters have also fallen into the trap of going overboard about Bolton’s supposedly new style of play.

Well, when I see Bolton, I see a team that can play a bit, is prepared to work hard and can dig deep when the occasion demands it. Sounds like the Bolton side that did so well under Sam Allardyce to me.”

Nadiya Kadam, a female student in the Staffordshire area, disagrees with Macari’s statements. A Bolton supporter herself, she thinks Bolton’s style has “become considerably more attractive” and that her family “actually enjoy going to Bolton’s games compared to the boring football played under Allardyce.”

Both clubs are desperate to end decades of missing out on winning the FA Cup, but for Stoke it is also a question of eradicating the stigma of failing to make an FA Cup Final appearance. Actually winning the trophy that has evaded their clutches throughout their esteemed history would be a bonus.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News

Read Part 1 of Alex Ferguson v Arsene Wenger, and also check out our United v Arsenal FA Cup preview.

Castrol Performance data shows Manchester Untied manager, Sir Alex Fergsuon, has enjoyed a superb run of form against his old rival Arsene Wenger, in recent seasons, with the Red Devils winning five of their last six meetings with the Gunners, drawing the other game.

The two footballing icons have met on 43 occasions in all competitions, with Ferguson winning 42% of those clashes compared to Wenger’s 33% figure.

At Old Trafford, the Gunners have won  on just four of their 19 visits in all competitions, with that last victory coming all the way back in September 2006.

Recently, Wenger has struggled against his old nemesis, winning only one of his last 10 clashes with Sir Alex Ferguson in all competitions.

At Old Trafford, Wenger has lost on five of his last six visits, drawing the other one. In those six games, Arsenal have scored just two goals in total.

Interestingly, in each of Wenger’s three Premier League title successes, Arsenal remained unbeaten against United in the league in those seasons.

From Soccerlens.com - Football News