The FA Cup is once again where the excitement is this weekend, with so many exciting ties that we could spend the entire Six Picks on the competition. Instead, we’ve picked out a couple that have caught our attention, plus a few derbies and a test for everybody’s favourite Germans. But first, to South America…
Velez Sarsfield v Estudiantes La Plata
Argentina Apertura, 12.20am, Saturday 23rd October
With eight games left in the season, the Apertura is heating up nicely. Estudiantes may be top but they’re only three points ahead of both Velez Sarsfield and Arsenal di Sarandi, meaning this is a tasty little second versus first to kick the weekend off.
The Rat Stabbers slipped up by drawing with Colon last weekend, while Velez and Arsenal both won to narrow the gap at the top of the table, although Estudiantes are unbeaten in five. Both sides have been unusually consistent in what is usually a topsy turvy league, with Velez taking the 2009 Clausura, while Estudiantes were runners-up in last year’s Apetura. With Arsenal snapping on their heels, both know that nothing less than a win will do.
Hendon v Met Police
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, 3pm, Saturday 23rd October
This could easily be the Battle of The Bill, as the area that encompasses the police training college takes on the ‘works’ team. Of course, this isn’t quite accurate. Hendon are now nomads after leaving Claremont Road two years ago and now play at Wembley’s Vale Farm, while the Met relaxed their rule that players had to be serving police force members some time ago.
That should it should be a competitive game, with both teams near their top of their respective Ryman Premier and Ryman South divisions. Greens manager Gary McCann has just passed his 500th game for the club - 304 of them as manager, and will be wary of the Met’s star striker, former Havant player Craig Watkins.
Doncaster Rovers v Sheffield United
Npower Championship, 5.15pm, Saturday 23rd October.
Sheffield United may not have a Steel City derby this season but pride is at stake here as the Blades currently can’t claim to be the premier side in South Yorkshire this season. That honour goes to Doncaster, one point and three places above them at in 14th in the Championship.
Sean O’Driscoll’s side have a justified reputation as one of the most attractive sides in the division and with James Coppinger and Billy Sharp in the team there’s creativity and goals. The Blades, meanwhile are still to find their feet after Gary Speed replaced Kevin Blackwell at Bramall Lane. Such of is the tight nature of the Championship that two or three wins for either side could see them in the playoffs.
FC United of Manchester v Barrow
FA Cup 4th Qualifying Round, 3pm, Sunday 24th October
A cracking little cup tie that’s well worth popping along to if you’re in the Manchester area and have a free Sunday. FCUM may be hovvering in lower-mid table in the Evo-Stick Premier but Karl Marginson’s side are a decent side who can give anybody at non-league level a game over 90 minutes. The Rebels have also hit a spot of form scoring 14 goals in their last three games.
Standing between them and the first round proper are Barrow, who’ve become something of a specialist cup side themselves. The Bluebirds may not be among the Conference title challengers but are impressive in knockout competitions. In the last two years the Cumbrians have made it to the 3rd round of the FA Cup, facing Middlesbrough and Sunderland respectively, and saw off Stevenage to take last season’s FA Trophy. For more on FC United and cup competitions, have a read of this TFT piece by Tom Fern.
Bayer Leverkusen v Mainz 05
German Bundesliga, 4.30pm, Sunday 24th October
This is a huge test for Thomas Tuckel’s side. After their fairytale start, the Mainz party finally came to an end with a one-nil loss at home to Hamburg last weekend. Now we have a chance to see whether it was a quick break for a nap or if the hangover is kicking in, as everyone’s favourite underdogs look to bounce back after being deposed at the top of the table by Dortmund.
And tests of character don’t come much tougher than Bayer Leverkusen, a team worth a flutter on for the title. Jupp Heynckes’ side completed a remarkable turnaround, scoring three times in the last 20 minutes, to beat Wolfsburg 3-2 away. But Leverkusen’s home form is patchy and they’ve only won once in front of their fans this season, a vulnerability Mainz will be looking to exploit.
Fenerbache v Galatasaray
Turkish Super Lig, 4pm, Sunday 24th October
To lose your coach ahead of a derby with your fiercest rivals is never the best preparation but Frank Rijkaard’s departure may give Galatasaray a small filip going into the game, especially with Romanian legend Gheorghe Hagi being appointed to the hotseat. Gala have picked up just 12 points from their opening eight games and currently sit 9th in the table.
Fenerbache, on the other hand, are just four points off the top spot following a 4-1 win at Konyaspor, and are unbeaten in four. Fener would desperately love to move closer to top spot and rub their bitterest rivals noses in it at the same time.
Tags: Barrow, Bayer Leverkusen, Estudiantes la Plata, FA Cup, FC United of Manchester, Fenerbache, Galatasaray, Hendon, Mainz, Met Police, Velez Sarsfield