Peterborough vs Manchester City (Tuesday – 7:30pm)
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The FA Cup has offered Peterborough some respite from their awful league campaign, Posh winning just one Championship game from their last 19.
Despite a good win over QPR to reach Round 5, their cup run will end this weekend.
No matter how many changes Pep Guardiola makes, his City side will be far too strong.
They will also be playing for Oleksandr Zinchenko; in a lovely touch, Guardiola announced in his press conference that the Ukrainian will captain City in Cambridgeshire.
SCORE PREDICTION: 0-4
Crystal Palace vs Stoke (Tuesday – 7:45pm)
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Safe in the league, this represents a great chance for Crystal Palace to book a first FA Cup quarter-final since the 2015/16 season.
Stoke have tailed off in the last few months, falling out of playoff contention after picking up just three wins in 15 games. The Potters should nonetheless give Vieira’s men a competitive game.
SCORE PREDICTION: 2-1
Middlesbrough vs Tottenham (Tuesday – 8pm)
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After Tottenham stuck four past Leeds at Elland Road at the weekend, they should be expected to comfortably see of Middlesbrough.
However, as their recent form shows, Antonio Conte’s men struggle to beat teams who sit deep, instead much preferring to play sides who will come at them and leave space in behind.
Their only realistic chance of ending their 14-year trophy drought, Conte will likely start his big hitters. For this reason, Tottenham should have enough to get the job done.
Nonetheless, of all this week’s ties, the Riverside is perhaps the most likely venue for a shock, especially considering Middlesbrough’s giant-killing exploits at Old Trafford in the last round.
Score prediction: 1-1 (1-2 AET)
Luton vs Chelsea (Wednesday – 7:30pm)
Will Kepa start?
The Spanish keeper had a mare at the weekend. Brought on to win the penalty shootout for Chelsea, he failed to get near any of Liverpool’s 11 spot kicks before skying his own.
In truth, Chelsea had more than enough chances to win the game before that, with Mason Mount particularly wasteful.
Turning their attention to the FA Cup, Luton will pose a tricky test. Nathan Jones’ team have been in fine form recently, sneaking into the playoff places at the weekend after picking up their fifth win in six league games.
Such is the strength of their squad, however, Chelsea should have just enough to squeeze through, putting Sunday’s defeat behind them in the process.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-2
Southampton vs West Ham (Wednesday – 7:45)
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This is arguably the tie of the round.
Unbeaten in their last five league games, playing the likes of Manchester City, Tottenham and Manchester United in that time, Southampton are the Premier League’s form side right now.
West Ham have been more inconsistent, although they picked up a good win over Wolves on Sunday.
With both sides sitting comfortably in the league, don’t be surprised if this one goes all the way as both teams target a deep run in the competition.
SCORE PREDICTION: 1-1 (Southampton to win on penalties)
Liverpool vs Norwich (Wednesday – 8:15pm)
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Liverpool were a tad fortunate in their League Cup triumph at the weekend, Chelsea missing the better chances. The Reds nonetheless had opportunities of their own, and their penalties were faultless.
Thanks to some smart business in the transfer window, the strength of depth in their squad is such that Jurgen Klopp can afford to rotate and still expect his side to dispatch of Norwich with ease.
If they do, those murmurs of a potential quadruple will only grow louder.
SCORE PREDICTION: 3-1
Everton vs Boreham Wood (Thursday – 8pm)
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Boreham Wood’s win at Bournemouth in Round 4 sums up why the FA Cup is, and always will be, the greatest domestic cup competition in the world.
Enjoying just 18% possession, 37-year-old captain Mark Ricketts scored with his side’s only shot on target.
Win or lose at Everton, the National League side can be proud of their efforts, the first non-league club to reach Round 5 since Sutton United and Lincoln City did so in 2017.
SCORE PREDICTION: 4-0
Nottingham Forest vs Huddersfield (Monday – 7:30pm)
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Nottingham Forest have been the team of the tournament so far, deservedly knocking out Arsenal and Leicester, the competition’s last two winners.
The reward for their exploits is a game against the Championship’s in-form side, Huddersfield unbeaten since a 2-1 defeat to Middlesborough at the end of November.
A game as evenly matched as Southampton vs West Ham, it is also just as hard to call.
