FA Cup 5th Round - Saturday 14th February

So, its that time of year again, FA cup weekend. The 5th round allows fans and players to start to think that maybe this year will be their year, only 3 ganes from Wembley and potential glory. This year, it is made all the more interesting by the impressive form of the Championship sides left in the competition and the fact that Trevor BrookIng at Soho Square has conjoured up some intruiging home ties involving these sides against Premier League opposition.

Swansea City v Fulham (Live on ITV1, 12.45pm Kick Off)

First up brings a debut for a Premier League side at the new Liberty Stadium, a venue which the Swans have quickly turned into a fortress, losing just once in 16 league games there this season. As discussed last week, Fulham have been less convincing on the road so far, having scored just 3 goals away from the cottage in the league all season. In round 4, the Cottagers conceeded two goals to non-league Kettering before sealing a late victory whilst Roberto Martinez's welshmen secured a famous away win at cup holders Portsmouth. With Jason Scotland bang in form, Fulham won't fancy this one too much and I reckon the Swans can force the upset of the round and march on to the Quarter Finals.

Swansea @ 6/4 Bet365

Sheffield Utd v Hull City

This is a tough one to call and therefore brings good value to the punter. Sheffield United are solid enough at home but lost the big steel city deby at home to Sheffield Wednesday last week and have only won once in four attempts in the league. Hull City's impressive draw at Chelsea last week arrested what seemed an inevitable slide towards a relegation dogfight and will have provided a much needed boost to the Tigers. Kevin Blackwell's Blades will be without Lupoli and Henderson up top and Bromby at the back. With the sale of James Beattie to Stoke in January a recent memory, I can't see where the goals are going to come from. Hull proved at Stamford Bridge they were dangerous on the break with the pace of Giovanni and Marney and I predict this game will suit them perfectly. Sheffield Utd will be up for this one and will no doubt come at Hull from the first whistle. This will leave room for Hul to pick them off and advance into the quarters.

Hull @ 13/8 Bet365

West Ham v Middlesbrough

The only all Premier League tie on Saturday brings together two sides on two very different runs this seasons. West Ham pushed Man Utd all the way last weekend and were it not for a piece of genius from Giggs, may have taken something from the game and continued their previous 8 game unbeaten run. Boro on the otherhand, have slipped into the relegation zone and as a result, will have different priorities going into this one. West Ham have every right under Zola to feel they can go all the way in this competiton if they get a favourable draw. Southgate's side however, may see the cup as a welcome distraction from their league campaign and with Marlon King cup tied and Chris Riggott injured, will rotate to give the unpredictable duo of Tuncay and Emnes a run out. With this in mind, I feel that the game may become stretched and open early on. I think West Ham are value to win but more interesting may be the market on total goals.

West Ham @ 4/5 Bet365

Over 2.5 goals @ 21/20 Bet365

ADR