Paul Merson is back with his latest set of predictions ahead of the FA Cup fourth-round weekend.
A bumper weekend of cup action kicks off with an East Midlands derby on Friday, as Premier League champions Leicester travel to Derby County.Liverpool will be looking to atone for their EFL Cup exit when Wolves travel to Anfield in Saturday's early game, before league leaders Chelsea, Manchester City, Tottenham and Arsenal look to navigate their respective ties with Brentford, Crystal Palace, Wycombe and Southampton.
FA Cup fourth-round ties
- Derby v Leicester
- Liverpool v Wolves
- Tottenham v Wycombe
- Oxford v Newcastle
- Lincoln v Brighton
- Chelsea v Brentford
- Rochdale v Huddersfield
- Burnley v Bristol City
- Blackburn v Blackpool
- M'boro v Accrington
- C Palace v Man City
- Southampton v Arsenal
- Millwall v Watford (Sun)
- Fulham v Hull (Sun)
- Sutton v Leeds (Sun)
- Man Utd v Wigan (Sun)
Derby v Leicester - Friday, 7.55pm
Leicester got themselves a great result at Everton in the third round so for them to go and throw that away would be crazy. Derby have promotion via the play-offs on their mind so they could do without a cup run. For that reason, I see Leicester winning.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-2 (11/1 with Naijabet Bet)
Liverpool v Wolves - Saturday, 12.30pm
Liverpool appear to have hit a brick wall, they look tired. On a positive note, though, they are making the chances, they're just not putting them away. This a real opportunity for Wolves because I can't see Jurgen Klopp playing a strong team, what with Chelsea on the horizon. I have to go for a Liverpool win because they're at home, but things could be difficult for them at Anfield.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (11/2 with Naijabet Bet)
Burnley v Bristol City - Saturday, 3pm
Bristol City are on their worst ever losing run in the league. Eight consecutive defeats is unbelievable, especially when you consider the team they have and how they were going at the start of the season. Burnley have got a better home record than both Manchester clubs so I can't see anything other than a home victory.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (13/2 withNaijabet Bet)
Blackburn v Blackpool - Saturday, 3pm
Blackburn's recent performances belie their position in the Championship. They are down the bottom but they have been improved under Owen Coyle, they should be too strong for their lower-league opposition.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (8/1 With naijabet Bet)
Crystal Palace v Man City - Saturday, 3pm
Palace do not need this game, they simply do not need this. City had a great result at West Ham in the previous round, we saw how strong they went at the London Stadium and I expect Pep Guardiola to go strong again at Selhurst Park.
PAUL PREDICTS: 0-3 (9/1 with naijabet Bet)
Chelsea v Brentford - Saturday, 3pm
Chelsea have got a couple of big games coming up - Liverpool away before Arsenal at home in the Premier League - but they will be too good for Brentford.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (6/1 with 1960bet )
Lincoln City v Brighton - Saturday, 3pm
I've seen Lincoln a few times and they look a decent team. Sat at the top of the Championship, do Brighton really need this? They are nine points clear of Leeds in third and have an unbelievable chance of gaining promotion. Do they need another game or the demands of a cup run? I'm backing Lincoln to continue their FA Cup run by holding out for a replay.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (11/2 with 1960bet)
Middlesbrough v Accrington - Saturday, 3pm
Boro have struggled to find the back of the net in recent weeks and they are in a bit of relegation battle. This is an opportunity for Accrington but they're not playing great themselves. I fear for Accrington that the gulf between the two sides will tell.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-0 (5/1 with1960bet)
Tottenham v Wycombe - Saturday, 3pm
Wycombe are doing very well at the minute but I cannot see past Tottenham at home. Having started the FA Cup in the first round it's a great achievement from Wycombe to get to round four. It's a great pay day for them too, but that will come to an end at White Hart Lane.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (11/2 with1960bet)
Southampton v Arsenal - Saturday, 5.30pm
Southampton will be confident after their phenomenal result in the EFL Cup semi-final. They're already at Wembley and I see them causing Arsenal problems. With that in mind, I see this one going to a replay, a replay Arsenal will not want.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Merry Bet)
Millwall v Watford - Sunday, 12pm
This is going to be a difficult game for Watford. Having knocked Bournemouth out in the previous round, and following the good news regarding The Den's future, the place will be rocking. When The Den is full, it has a great atmosphere. I see Millwall forcing a replay.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (5/1 with Merry Bet)
Fulham v Hull - Sunday, 12.30pm
This is a hard one to call because Hull have games coming thick and fast. After this, they have tough league games against Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal. For that reason, I see Fulham, who are playing great at home, winning this.
PAUL PREDICTS: 2-1 (15/2 withMerry Bet)
Sutton Utd v Leeds Utd - Sunday, 2pm
This tie embodies the FA Cup! Sutton play on a 3G pitch so that makes things even more interesting. Leeds rested a lot of players in round three at Cambridge and with Newcastle potentially catchable, they could rest again. I fancy Sutton to hold Leeds to a replay and book a trip to Elland Road.
PAUL PREDICTS: 1-1 (6/1 with Merry Bet)
Man Utd v Wigan - Sunday, 4pm
Wigan have had two big wins in the Championship against Burton and Brentford but the gulf to Manchester United is too big. I see the cup holders strolling into the fifth round.
PAUL PREDICTS: 4-0 (8/1 with Merry Bet)
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