Buzzin Championship Football

Due to circumstances partly beyond my control, I posted this literally minutes before the kick off of the first game, so there’s a good chance that you may already know what happened at the New Den when you read this.

Friday

Millwall v Aston Villa

Millwall got to the final in 2004 and reached the 5^th round last season but the fourth round is normally about as far the Lions get. If Villa are feeling a bit fragile after their shock defeat in the Carling Cup on Tuesday night then the atmosphere at the New Den might be a bit too much for them: the last time these played in the FA Cup at Millwall, the Lions won a fourth round tie in January 1986 following a 1-1 draw at Villa Park.

Giantkilling possibility: good

Result: Millwall 2, Aston Villa 1. Millwall face giant killers Luton at Kenilworth Road in the fifth round.

Saturday

All kick offs at 3:00pm, no television coverage

Bolton v Everton

Bolton have done well in this competition in the last few seasons (beaten semi finalists in 2010) but although Everton have not won it since 1995, the Toffees’ recent record in the cup is better overall. However, the last meeting in the FA Cup produced an upset: in January 1994, Bolton – in the third tier at that point – won 3-2 in a replay at Goodison Park.

Giantkilling possibility: poor. I can see Everton going far in this season’s competition.

Result: Bolton 1, Everton 2. The visitors won with an injury time goal.

Brighton v Arsenal

Brighton have reached the fifth round in two of the last three seasons, but aren’t particularly well known for their cup exploits. The FA Cup represents Arsene Wenger’s last chance to win silverware this season and so I’d be surprised if the Gunners don’t go for it. Last time they played each other in the FA Cup was in January 1988 – Arsenal won 2-1 at the Goldstone Ground.

Giant killing possibility: unlikely, but that doesn’t mean it won’t be a close game.

Result: Brighton 2, Arsenal 3

Derby v Blackburn

The Rams have reached the fourth round or beyond in nine of the last ten seasons but haven’t managed to qualify the sixth round since 1999. Since reaching the semi finals in 2007, Rovers have only got past the fourth round once. Last meeting in the FA Cup was in Feb 2001, Blackburn won 5-2 at Pride Park after a goalless draw in Lancashire.

Result: Derby 0, Blackburn 3. Blackburn will play at Arsenal in the next round.

Huddersfield v Leicester

The 5^th round is about as good as it gets for newly managerless Huddersfield: Leicester got to the sixth round last season but haven’t been anywhere near the latter stages of the cup for three decades. These clubs have never met in an FA Cup tie, which is a surprise since they first played each other over a century ago.

I’d keep an eye on this one for a possible upset. The Terriers are on a poor run whilst Leicester are going well at the top of the table. A lot depends on whether Nigel Pearson decides to select a strong side or not.

Result: 1-1. Replay is on February 12th, winner will play Wigan at home in the next round.

Hull v Barnsley

Having not reached the third round for almost two decades, Hull’s best performance was 6^th round in 2009. Barnsley got all the way to the semi finals in 2008 but since then the Tykes haven’t gone any further than the fourth round. Only other cup meeting: 3^rd round January 1958, Hull won 2-0 at Oakwell following a 1-1 draw at Boothferry Park

Result: Hull 0, Barnsley 1. Barnsley will visit Milton Keynes Dons in the next round.

Middlesbrough v Aldershot

Boro should reach the 5^th round for the first time in five seasons: this is the first time Aldershot have got this far since the mid 1980s and the first time they’ve ever played Middlesbrough in any competition.

Giant killing possibility: slim to none. Middlesbrough are getting an easy ride in the competition so far.

Result: Middlesbrough 2, Aldershot 1 – but two of those goals came after the 85th minute and at one point this game looked as if it was heading for a replay. Boro will face Brentford or Chelsea in the next round.

Sunday

Leeds v Spurs (ESPN, 2:00pm)

Leeds haven’t got past the fourth round since 2003. Despite beating Manchester United in the third round a couple of seasons ago, Leeds were then drawn against Spurs and although they drew at White Hart Lane, Tottenham won the replay at Elland Road. The last time the hosts defeated Sunday’s visitors in this competition (1972) they went on to win it.

Result: Leeds 2, Spurs 1. Leeds will face Manchester City at the Etihad in the next round.