Our Reaction to the FA Cup Fourth Round

The pick of the bunch is an all Premier League clash between Tottenham Hotspur and the 2023 FA Cup winners, Manchester City, who put five goals past Huddersfield Town in their third round fixture. 

Tottenham Hotspur will be hoping to end their long search for a trophy but facing Pep Guardiola's Manchester City could prove too much for Ange Postecoglou's side. 

Prediction: Tottenham Hotspur 1-3 Manchester City

Aston Villa will travel to Stamford Bridge to face Chelsea with huge amounts of confidence of winning a trophy this season.

Chelsea will prove very hard to beat, with the London side already in a League Cup semi-final against Middlesborough, and I believe the winning mentality could be too much for Unai Emery's Villans. 

Prediction: Chelsea 2-0 Aston Villa

The lowest ranked side left in the competition, Maidstone United, will travel to Portman Road to face Championship high-flyers, Ipswich Town in their bid to carry on their fairytale FA Cup journey. 

I believe that Ipswich Town will prove too much for Maidstone United, with Kieran McKenna's side having too much quality for the sixth-tier club. 

Prediction: Ipswich Town 4-0 Maidstone United

AFC Bournemouth will host Swansea City in the next round, hoping to avoid another scare, with the Cherries having to come from 2-0 down to win against Queen's Park Rangers. 

I do think this could be a potential upset though, as the appointment of Luke Williams could bring the side a fresh sense of confidence coming into this fixture.

Prediction: AFC Bournemouth 0-1 Swansea City

Fulham will invite Newcastle United to Craven Cottage, hoping to continue their cup run, much like their upcoming League Cup semi-final against Liverpool. 

This could be the last chance saloon for Newcastle United's trophy hunt, and they will feel like this is a winnable fixture for them. 

Prediction: Fulham 1-2 Newcastle United

The only remaining all Premier League clash sees Sheffield United face Brighton and Hove Albion at Bramall Lane. 

I feel like this game will come a bit too thick and fast for Brighton and Hove Albion and I think this game will go to a replay. 

Prediction: Sheffield United 1-1 Brighton and Hove Albion

Wrexham will travel to Blackburn Rovers with the hopes of knocking out another Championship club like they did to Coventry City last year.

I do think that Sammie Szmodics could prove too much for Phil Parkinson's side, adding to his already impressive goal scoring tally this season.

Prediction: Blackburn Rovers 3-1 Wrexham

Leeds United remain one of three Championship teams to have their fourth round games already confirmed, with Plymouth Argyle not needing a replay against League Two strugglers, Sutton United. 

This could prove to be quite a close game between two Championship clubs, but I think Leeds United will have just enough to have the edge at Elland Road over Plymouth.

Prediction: Leeds United 2:1 Plymouth Argyle

Coventry City will travel to Hillsborough to face Sheffield Wednesday, who put four goals past fellow Championship side Cardiff City in the third round. 

I think Danny Rohl's side are on a bit of a roll at the moment, with fresh confidence built into the side, and I can only see this going one way unfortunately for Coventry City.

Prediction: Sheffield Wednesday 2-0 Coventry City

Watford survived a scare in the third round against Chesterfield, with their reward being a home against Russell Martin's high-flying Southampton side.

I can only see this going one way, and I think Russell Martin's squad will win this one comfortably to the dismay of Valerien Ismael.

Prediction: Watford 0-3 Southampton

The remaining six fixtures will require replays to confirm their FA Cup fourth round status, with Newport County or Eastleigh battling it out for the honour to host Manchester United, after their 2-0 against Wigan Athletic on Monday.

Norwich City will have to face Bristol Rovers again with the winner being  rewarded with a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool in the fifth round.

West Bromwich Albion fans will be keeping an eye on Brentford's replay against Wolverhampton Wanderers, where there is potential for a Black Country derby fixture if Wolves prove victorious. 

Leicester City are also the final team to be confirmed in the fourth round, with an all Championship fixture between either Hull City or Birmingham City facing them. 

The two remaining games currently don't have anyone confirmed to play in them yet with replays needed on the 16th and 17th of January to decide who will play who. 

Everton will welcome Crystal Palace to Goodison Park, with a home tie against either Luton or Bolton Wanderers for the winner. 

Elsewhere, West Ham will have to travel to Bristol City, with a home tie against either Nottingham Forest or Blackpool facing the winning side.

It was truly a great set of games in the FA Cup third round, and HL Division Sport is hoping for even more magic, thrills and potential upsets in the next round of the cup. 

By Callum Burgess