FA Cup talking points: Rangnick hopes to spark United season
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FA Cup talking points: Rangnick hopes to ignite United season
This weekend is all about the magic of the FA Cup when small clubs get the chance to write their names in the history books with a giantkilling act.
We have already taken a look at some of the big upsets throughout the years and now examine some of the many fascinating ties that are taking place between Friday and Monday, like Chesterfield’s trip to European champions Chelsea where the visitors are 28/1 to spring a shock win in the capital.
Eagles and Lions battle for bragging rights
Millwall’s match at home to Crystal Palace is the pick of the early fixtures on Saturday. This is the south London rivals’ first competitive meeting since 2013 and looks a good chance for Patrick Vieira, a multiple FA Cup winner in his playing days, to lead the Eagles into the next round.
Palace are 33/1 to win the competition for the first time and boast some exciting players as they take on a Millwall side that have lost three of their last five league matches.
Will Toffees come unstuck at hopeful Hull?
Everton started 2022 with a 3-2 home defeat to Brighton, ratcheting up the pressure on manager Rafael Benitez, who is 11/10 favourite to become the next Premier League manager to be sacked.
The Toffees had not played for more than a fortnight before that due to coronavirus-related postponements and now take on a Hull side that will surely smell blood.
ℹ️ | Dominic Calvert-Lewin is unlikely to be risked at Hull as he navigates a return from four months on the sidelines.#EmiratesFACup 🔵 #EFC
— Everton (@Everton) January 7, 2022
Not only that, but there may also be a feel-good factor around the MKM Stadium with Acun Ilicali reportedly set to attend ahead of his prospective takeover of the Championship side.
No club in English football have been up for sale longer than Hull and apathy has naturally grown, making a shot of positivity all the more welcome at the start of the new year.
Chesterfield eye Chelsea scalp
If it was not for a controversially unawarded goal, this could easily have been a repeat of the 1997 FA Cup final. Instead, Middlesbrough rather than Chesterfield progressed to a Wembley showpiece that Roberto Di Matteo lit up with a screamer in a 2-0 Chelsea win.
🎥𝗣𝗿𝗲-𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗰𝗵 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 – 𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘀𝗲𝗮 (𝗔)🎥
WATCH as James Rowe spoke with the media this morning ahead of our Emirates FA Cup clash with @ChelseaFC! 👀⚽️
Watch the full video on our YouTube Channel! 👇
— Chesterfield FC (@ChesterfieldFC) January 7, 2022
The Spireites have endured some tough times since then but will take buoyant travelling support to the capital as the National League leaders meet the reigning European champions.
Thomas Tuchel’s men are 1/18 to win, highlighting how challenging it would be to beat last season’s FA Cup runners-up, but Chesterfield’s first trip to Stamford Bridge in 71 years is sure to be memorable regardless.
Arsenal look to avoid another exit by the Trent
Sunday’s raft of fixtures ends with Mikel Arteta’s side heading to the East Midlands to take on Nottingham Forest.
Steve Cooper, the former Swansea boss, has overseen an impressive turnaround since succeeding Chris Hughton in September, taking them from a relegation scrap to a play-off push.
Back-to-back defeats have not been ideal preparation for Forest but Arsenal fans will remember their last trip to the City Ground, where Eric Lichaj’s brace helped secure a 4-2 third-round win in 2018.
Can Rangnick kickstart United reign?
There is plenty of potential for romance in the third-round draw, but it is hard to ignore Monday evening’s all-Premier League encounter.
As if Steven Gerrard leading Aston Villa at Old Trafford for the first time was not enough, the Liverpool great has the chance to compound the issues at a club facing intense scrutiny.
Already 22 points behind Premier League leaders Manchester City – albeit with two games in hand – stories of discontent have emerged in the
wake of Monday’s miserable 1-0 home loss to Wolves.
Interim manager Ralf Rangnick is under the microscope and he can ill afford to fall at the first hurdle of their most realistic remaining hope of a trophy this season for which they are 9/1.
All odds and markets correct as of date of publication
