With just three games to the final, the sixteen teams left in the Carling Cup will feel they all have the chance to get to the season’s first final at Wembley. With three all-Premiership ties amongst some more ‘surprising’ names, there will be no lack of excitement in the Fourth Round.
Manchester United v Wolverhampton Wanderers
All eyes will be on Old Trafford to see exactly how ambitious Sir Alex Ferguson and his men actually are. Javier Hernandez will be looking to increase his goal tally for the cup holders after his impressive brace against Stoke at the weekend.
With the return of Stephen Hunt, Mick McCarthy will be looking to the fan favourite to inspire his under performing team to a shock win.
Birmingham City v Brentford
With Alex Hleb returning to the form that saw Barcelona sign him, the Blues fans will be expecting to see another winning performance.
Brentford might be feeling positive they can achieve another giant-killing performance after beating Everton in the last round. Having only scored twelve goals in League One this season they will need their strikers to be firing on all cylinders to get past the stingy Birmingham defence.
Ipswich Town v Northampton Town
With their opponents sitting second from bottom in the Football League, Ipswich will be hoping they have an easier run against Northampton than Liverpool did. New boy Jason Scotland will be looking to show his worth for the Championship battlers.
Manager, Ian Sampson, will be hoping his team play better in the Cup than they do in the league. Maybe Billy McKay and Michael Jacobs can put a smile back on their beleaguered boss’ face by increasing their goals tally.
Leicester City v West Bromwich Albion
The home squad may not rate this competition as vital given their precarious position in the table, but it will give Sven Goran Erikkson another opportunity to familiarise himself with his new squad.
If West Brom continue their good form they should perform well against the Championship team. A good run in the cup would likely be Roberto Di Matteo’s teams best shot at a trophy and one would expect them to go all out.
Wigan Athletic v Swansea City
Roberto Martinez will welcome the club he used to play for and manage to the DW Stadium. Wigan will be without influential midfielder James McCarthy who has been ruled out for ten weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage.
Swansea’s Scott Sinclair is the highest scorer in this competition with four goals from only two appearances. He will be hoping to maintain this form as his Swansea team visit Premiership Wigan. Third in the Championship, the Swans will feel they are more than capable of achieving a result.
Aston Villa v Burnley
Having won the League Cup twice while manager of Liverpool, Gerard Houllier has fond memories of this competition and will be hoping to build some at his new club. If Ashley Young can put his contract issues to the back of his mind, he could be a vital component for the home team.
Brian Laws may field a weakened team with promotion being Burnley’s number one aim this season. Although he will be hoping for a better show than the one they put on in the 4-0 defeat by Reading at the weekend.
Newcastle United v Arsenal
There was a time when Arsenal used this game to bed in their youngsters, but Arsene Wenger has admitted we can expect to see some of his first team making the trip to St. James Park. Theo Walcott and Nicklas Bendtner will expect to start as they aim to regain match fitness.
The home team will be buoyed by their hard fought league win against West Ham last weekend. After their win away to Chelsea in the last round, Chris Hughton’s men will believe they have the ability to collect another scalp.
West Ham United v Stoke City
The home fans will be hoping this competition brings them some relief after their teams dismal performances in the league. Avram Grant is doing his best not to have a crisis on his hands and this may be the perfect chance to build his players confidence.
Tony Pulis and Stoke will put undoubtedly put in the committed showing, we are used to seeing from them. Both teams will be hoping for more than the 1-1 draw they had in the corresponding league as neither will want extra time with both teams playing again on Saturday.
Five Players to Watch: Javier Hernandez (Manchester United), Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal), Scott Sinclair (Swansea), Alex Hleb (Birmingham), Rory Delap (Stoke City)
Tags: Carling Cup