Bristol Rovers Vs Fulham

[Megakid]

Tottenham v Reading :banana:

[Tito]

that'll be sweet my prediction is Tottenham 4 v Reading 2

[Megakid]

^^Vice versa for me Tito :thumbsup:.

[Tito]

thats an odd prediction

[manutd.]

Very, but anything can happen.

Tottenham are scoring a lot of goals lately.

[Tito]

The Sign Of Things To Come…

One of the most pivotal moments in Bolton’s season could unfold as the team sheets are announced for this third round FA Cup tie. All eyes will be firmly fixed on whether Nicolas Anelka’s name features or not.

If he plays, then this could prevent Chelsea firming up their interest in Bolton’s star striker. If he doesn’t, then this can be seen as a sign that he will be sold during the transfer window.

The ramifications of Bolton progressing beyond the third round will also be severely affected upon Anelka’s inclusion.

With him in the team, it is more than likely that his speed and class will be too much for a Sheffield United defence that has proved unable to cope with the demands of Championship quality strikers. Without him, then the combative style favoured by Kevin Davies should provide a much simpler test.

Another important element of this match will be Gary Megson’s decisions when it comes to team selection. In previous seasons Sam Allardyce treated the FA Cup with contempt.

Under strength teams were regularly selected due to Allardyce’s prioritising of the Premier League. If Megson carries on with this policy, then this game will remain a more evenly contested affair.

However, it is clear that this is a much weakened Sheffield United side from last year’s incarnation. If Megson selects players of the calibre of Kevin Nolan, El Hadj Diouf, and most intriguingly Nicolas Anelka, then a fairly straight forward victory should be recorded. If Anelka isn’t selected, then it could prove crucial in determining not only Bolton’s FA Cup hopes, but their Premiership future.

Robson’s Blunt Blades

How Bryan Robson will be looking forward to this game, and another chance to get away from the pressure cooker environment of Bramall Lane.

Although his team had recorded a promising 0-0 draw with Wolverhampton Wanderer’s on New Year’s Day, the boo’s created by another disappointing home loss to Neil Warnock’s Crystal Palace in the previous fixture summed up the frustrations of the Blades fans at their season so far.

An inconsistent and painful campaign sees Sheffield United lying in the lowly position of 16th in The Championship. A solid performance at the Reebok Stadium and a small degree of redemption could be obtained by Robson.

However, the Boxing Day injury to star striker James Beattie has put a severe dampener on Sheffield United’s prospects in both this fixture, and what remains of the season. A quick look at the Blades’ goal scoring charts this season shows the importance of Beattie to the team. Where he has managed to score 13 goals, their next top scorer, Danny Webber, has only managed a meagre haul of 4.

Luckily for Robson he can now look to the returning Rob Hulse to fill the goal scoring void created by the absence of Beattie. Also, the Sheffield United players will be keen to show the footballing authorities that so controversially denied them a place in the Premiership that this should have been a league, not a cup fixture.

If this is the case, then Sheffield United do stand a chance of causing an upset at the Reebok Stadium. However, the Blades defensive frailties and a lack of a cutting edge up front could prove crucial in determining this third round fixture in Bolton’s favour.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Bolton Wanderers

One of the key talking points in this fixture will be Nicolas Anelka. With him in the team, Bolton possess one of the top strikers in British football. His speed, touch, vision, and lethal accuracy should prove too much for Sheffield United’s defenders to cope with. However, with the rumours of an impending switch to Chelsea gathering momentum, maybe the Sheffield United defence will be in for a quieter day than they expected come Saturday…

Sheffield United

It is vital for Sheffield United that Rob Hulse fills in for the injured James Beattie in an effective manner. The Blades’ other strikers have been remarkably goal shy for Bryan Robson’s team so far this season. In Hulse they possess a player who performed admirably in the Premiership last season. If he can trouble Bolton in the same manner as he did last term, then Sheffield United stand a chance of causing an upset.

PREDICTION

It is very hard to predict with any accuracy what could happen in this fixture. Under Sam Allardyce, Bolton regularly treated the F.A. Cup as an annoyance. Under strength sides and early cup exits were the norm. It is unknown if Gary Megson will treat this competition in the same manner.

Another important factor in predicting the outcome of this game is the participation of both side’s star strikers in the fixture. In James Beattie, Sheffield United’s is definitely out. For Bolton, Chelsea’s interest in Nicolas Anelka could have a determining factor in his participation.

If Anelka is to miss out, then Bolton look a much more ordinary team. However, Sheffield United’s shaky form in The Championship means it is less than certain that they have the ability to take advantage of this.

I can see Bolton having just a bit too much for Bryan Robson’s inconsistent Blades, and I predict a Bolton win by the odd goal or two.

Bolton Wanderers 2-0 Sheffield United

[Megakid]

What about Arsenal vs Burnley? :banana:, Btw lovley post Tito +1.

[Urban_freestyler]

GASHEADS COULD OUTNUMBER FULHAM


Fulham officials have today told Rovers that they expect home fans to be outnumbered by away fans this weekend.

The two clubs meet at Craven Cottage in the third round of the FA Cup on Sunday afternoon, in a match that is all-ticket for travelling supporters.

Officially, 7,164 Gasheads will be at the game following the calculation of the final tally of all tickets allocated and sold.

All ticket made available to Rovers for the tie over the last few weeks were snapped up, often in a matter of hours of freshly released seats going on sale.

If Rovers fans do outnumber home fans it could be the first time a Premier League club has seen its own following dwarfed by fans from an away club for a competitive fixture.

[manutd.]

Go enjoy yourself James. ;)

[Tito]

What about Arsenal vs Burnley? :banana:, Btw lovley post Tito +1.

:-* anything for you baby   :3some:

Premier League leaders Arsenal face a potentially tricky encounter at Turf Moor against Burnley, The Clarets are without a win in six and haven’t won at home in eight, hardly the greatest form in which to welcome a team who’ve lost just two of their last 39 matches in all competitions, and whose FA Cup record under Arsene Wenger is outstanding. Wenger will probably ring the changes with his team selection, but it doesn’t tend to make a huge amount of difference to the outcome.



Wenger: I Love The FA Cup 

Ahead of Arsenal's third round tie at Championship side Burnley on Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger has spoken of his affection and respect for the FA Cup.
Wenger: I Love The FA Cup

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to add to the four FA Cup triumphs he has achieved with the Gunners during the last decade.

Arsenal will be at Turf Moor on Sunday to take on Burnley in a third round tie, and  Wenger said: "I don't like it when people disrespect the FA Cup. I personally love the competition.

"I want the team to be highly focused and win the game.

"We have a common desire to do well in every single competition we play in, so don't expect us to sacrifice the FA Cup. If we lose it's because we play against a team that is better than us on the day."

Wenger does, though, plan to rest several of the players who beat West Ham on New Year's Day.

But he stressed that he will not devalue the competition - and wants to reach the final at Wembley in May.

He is expected to leave out Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Hleb, Manuel Almunia and William Gallas, while Mathieu Flamini is suspended for the Burnley game.

But Arsenal's young 'shadow' team have been so impressive in the Carling Cup in the last few seasons that now whatever XI Wenger fields is expected to excel.

As well as looking for a good FA Cup run, the Gunners are determined to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, and they also have a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against neighbours Tottenham looming, while Milan await when the Champions League resumes next month.

Wenger also spoke about Jens Lehmann, who will start in goal for Arsenal at Burnley even though he thought to be close to joining Borussia Dortmund.

"The door is not closed for Jens, but at the moment we have not reached any agreement," Wenger said.

"When I extended the contract for Jens, I opened the door for him that if he does not play and has a chance to play for the European Championship, then I would not stop him from leaving in January.

"He still thinks he should play, and I respect that.

"But what I respect the most is he is a player who comes in and does his job 100 per cent and does not talk too much."

[Megakid]

What about Arsenal vs Burnley? :banana:, Btw lovley post Tito +1.

:-* anything for you baby   :3some:

Premier League leaders Arsenal face a potentially tricky encounter at Turf Moor against Burnley, The Clarets are without a win in six and haven’t won at home in eight, hardly the greatest form in which to welcome a team who’ve lost just two of their last 39 matches in all competitions, and whose FA Cup record under Arsene Wenger is outstanding. Wenger will probably ring the changes with his team selection, but it doesn’t tend to make a huge amount of difference to the outcome.



Wenger: I Love The FA Cup 

Ahead of Arsenal's third round tie at Championship side Burnley on Sunday, manager Arsene Wenger has spoken of his affection and respect for the FA Cup.
Wenger: I Love The FA Cup

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is looking to add to the four FA Cup triumphs he has achieved with the Gunners during the last decade.

Arsenal will be at Turf Moor on Sunday to take on Burnley in a third round tie, and  Wenger said: "I don't like it when people disrespect the FA Cup. I personally love the competition.

"I want the team to be highly focused and win the game.

"We have a common desire to do well in every single competition we play in, so don't expect us to sacrifice the FA Cup. If we lose it's because we play against a team that is better than us on the day."

Wenger does, though, plan to rest several of the players who beat West Ham on New Year's Day.

But he stressed that he will not devalue the competition - and wants to reach the final at Wembley in May.

He is expected to leave out Cesc Fabregas, Gael Clichy, Emmanuel Adebayor, Alexander Hleb, Manuel Almunia and William Gallas, while Mathieu Flamini is suspended for the Burnley game.

But Arsenal's young 'shadow' team have been so impressive in the Carling Cup in the last few seasons that now whatever XI Wenger fields is expected to excel.

As well as looking for a good FA Cup run, the Gunners are determined to maintain their lead at the top of the Premier League, and they also have a two-legged Carling Cup semi-final against neighbours Tottenham looming, while Milan await when the Champions League resumes next month.

Wenger also spoke about Jens Lehmann, who will start in goal for Arsenal at Burnley even though he thought to be close to joining Borussia Dortmund.

"The door is not closed for Jens, but at the moment we have not reached any agreement," Wenger said.

"When I extended the contract for Jens, I opened the door for him that if he does not play and has a chance to play for the European Championship, then I would not stop him from leaving in January.

"He still thinks he should play, and I respect that.

"But what I respect the most is he is a player who comes in and does his job 100 per cent and does not talk too much."

Another brilliant post Tito santana :thumbsup: :saywhat:, Man united vs Aston villa is ganna be a pretty brilliant game :nopity:, Hey Urban you wouldnt mind renaming this thread the fa cup thread? :thumbsup:.

[Tito]

Another brilliant post Tito santana :thumbsup:

thx mate