OptiNews - Friday 05 to Thursday 11 January 2018

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FA Cup third-round predictions - Lawro v comedian Guz Khan

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The FA Cup third round is famous for shocks and surprises - and, these days, also a job-lot of team changes of course - but what does the famous old competition have in store for us this year?

BBC Sport’s football expert Mark Lawrenson and his guest have taken a look at all 32 of this weekend’s ties and given their verdict on who will make it into round four.

This week Lawro is up against comedian Guz Khan, star of BBC Three comedy Man Like Mobeen.

Guz is from Coventry but supports Manchester United “from the bottom of my heart” - and is keen to explain why.

He told BBC Sport: "It was the 1994-95 season and I was sat in this tiny place up north called Brierfield [in Lancashire] which is where my family are from - and they are all massive United fans.

"I was really young and I didn’t even know what football was but I saw the pain and heartbreak in their eyes when Blackburn Rovers won the Premier League that season.

“I thought from that day on I want to be involved in this pain process. Luckily for me, it was all success that I saw immediately after that, but it was borne out of pain.”

Guz says his favourite FA Cup moment is the solo goal Ryan Giggs scored in United’s win over Arsenal in a semi-final replay on their way to winning the treble in 1999, but he has good memories of watching Coventry too.

He explained: "The iconic moment has to be the full chest hair, the rug from Ryan when he was skipping through the defence and he clapped that left peg - BOOM! - past David Seaman.

"I think what made the FA Cup so special, especially when I was a kid, was the fact that you could have a minnow team - a random team - come along and really put up a fight.

"And being from Coventry, we grew up in the days when the stadium was still at Highfield Road. They used to let us in late at the end of games for the last 10 minutes.

"We got to see the hey-day when they were in the top flight but we were still regarded as a small club.

"In the FA Cup, though, on any given day, the likes of Darren Huckerby or Peter Ndlovu could go on a rampage and put anybody out.

“It is that memory of smaller clubs being able to do big things that I think is the magic of the FA Cup.”

Man Like Mobeen starts on BBC One on Sunday 14 January at 23:30 GMT or you can watch the whole series now on BBC Three on BBC iPlayer.

Gap = how many league positions separate each team

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

Stoke boss Mark Hughes is under more pressure following his side’s defeat by Newcastle on Monday but I think he will get some respite on Saturday. I hope so anyway.

Fans of any Premier League teams who moan like hell about everything should spare a thought for Coventry supporters because what they have been through in the past few years is just ridiculous.

Mark Robins is doing a really good job and I would love the Sky Blues to get a draw and earn some money in a replay.

But, because of the gulf between the Premier League and League Two, it is impossible to see them winning this tie.

I would say the same about West Brom’s visit to Exeter. Because it is so long since the Baggies won, they simply have to take this game seriously - they have to go and win a game soon, because just doing that would be massive for them.

Newcastle have got home advantage against Luton in their tie and I think that will see them through, no matter what team Magpies boss Rafa Benitez picks. I hope the Hatters fans who are travelling in numbers get something for their money though.

Guz Khan: We’re City til we die! We know we are, we’re sure we are, we’re City til we die. Look, I’m a United fan but I will sing it for you because I am proud to come from Coventry. I am still going to say we will get smacked by Stoke, though. I can’t lie.

The Baggies will win though. They have been through a bit of turmoil this season but I think they will beat Exeter.

Lawro: I am going to Fleetwood v Leicester and everyone is hoping that Jamie Vardy shakes off his injury and play. Even if he doesn’t, I still think the Foxes will win, although Fleetwood boss Uwe Rosler is doing a very good job there.

Leicester are eighth in the table and their manager Claude Puel could put some money in the bank with a decent cup run. It would keep the punters happy, so why wouldn’t you play a strong team?

Wigan are full flow at the top of League One and their forward Nick Powell is obviously far too good for that division. He has the ability to play in the Premier League, but does he have the desire?

It is important that Bournemouth approach that tie with the right attitude. If they do, I think they will win.

West Ham manager David Moyes will not enjoy going back to Shrewsbury, who famously beat his Everton team in 2003 and are going well in League One,

I don’t think Moyes will suffer any more embarrassment this time, while Tottenham will be too strong for AFC Wimbledon - although their fans will get to enjoy a day out at Wembley.

Guz Khan: If Vardy is fit he might have a little point to prove and there might be emotions involved as well, but I am saying Leicester to win. Marko Arnautovic is looking a bit tasty and West Ham are in decent form so I am backing them, and Tottenham are going to roll over the former Crazy Gang.

Derby are doing very well at the top of the Championship and Manchester United dropped points over Christmas, but they despatched Everton very easily in their last game and I don’t see a shock happening at Old Trafford.

The FA Cup could turn into an important competition for United boss Jose Mourinho, because they are not going to win the Premier League, and they are probably not going to win the Champions League either.

I am not sure how much of a priority the FA Cup will be for Huddersfield, but you could say the same for their opponents, Bolton.

Bolton’s form has picked up bit and Gary Madine has started scoring some goals for them but they are fighting relegation in the Championship and points will be more important for their manager Phil Parkinson.

The alarm bells must be ringing at Southampton with their poor run continuing - they have not won any of their past nine matches and I am backing Fulham to cause an upset in that tie.

The Cottagers play some nice football and their recent results have given them some momentum too.

Wolves are by far and away the best team in their division. They will be a Premier League team soon but it does not look like they will be playing Swansea next season.

I think the Championship leaders will beat them when they meet on Saturday. I just don’t fancy Swansea at all.

I don’t see Chelsea, Watford or Arsenal having too much trouble against Norwich, Bristol City or managerless Nottingham Forest, though.

Bristol City have beaten four Premier League teams, including Manchester United, on their way to the Carabao Cup semi-finals but they are not in great form at the moment. The Hornets need some good news, and a FA Cup run would help to provide it.

Guz Khan: Derby might be a tricky game for United but we came back into a little bit of form with our win against Everton and I am thinking Anthony Martial bangs in a couple, and Jesse Lingard bangs in a couple as well.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

Lawro: I think the story of the Merseyside derby will be decided by what sort of teams both managers pick.

Everton boss Sam Allardyce has been known at other clubs for not being particularly enamoured by the FA Cup, with league position always being his priority.

I cannot believe that Sadio Mane will start for Liverpool given that he is flying to Ghana on Thursday with the injured Mohamed Salah to attend the Confederation of African Football’s player of the year award ceremony. Mane might be on the bench, though.

So Klopp’s selection will be interesting too, although we know Philippe Coutinho won’t be playing either and Liverpool will not be at full strength. Even so, they should still have too much for Everton.

The Reds supporters will be hoping they take this competition seriously, because everyone loves a trip to Wembley to win the FA Cup. It is Klopp’s decision though, and it is third on his list behind the Premier League and Champions League.

Again, this is a chance for Manchester City to rest players ahead of their Carabao Cup semi-final against Bristol City on Tuesday and their trip to Anfield next weekend. But they can leave out five or six players without it really affecting them.

Burnley did not win over Christmas, although they did have some tough games including Manchester United, Tottenham and Liverpool. The only team who took them apart was Spurs, but it is hard to see them getting anything at the Etihad Stadium.

To continue the theme, I cannot see Brighton or Crystal Palace being too bothered about the FA Cup either.

After the number of games they had over the festive period, so many Premier League clubs will not be playing their best teams in the FA Cup. They just can’t.

There will be a great atmosphere at a lot of these grounds - Burnley are taking more than 7,000 fans to City and Luton are doing the same at St James’ Park - but there will be a lot of second-string sides selected.

The problem is not going to go away in round four, which is at the end of January, either. There is a full Premier League programme the following midweek, and Brighton and Palace both have big games in their bid to stay up - away at Southampton and West Ham respectively.

Lose this tie, and they will have free weekend before those matches. That will already be altering their thinking for this round, so I’m going to go for the result no-one wants - a replay.

Guz Khan: Liverpool are on fire right now - I don’t see Everton stopping them. As for Manchester City against Burnley - I want to say 27-0 to City. No, real talk… it’s got to be a five-niller, even though Burnley are having a decent season.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

Notts County are going great guns in League Two but Brentford are playing well too, and they have only lost once at Griffin Park in the Championship all season.

The Bees are a better side than their results sometimes show, and they play really nice football, so they should get through.

Cardiff are struggling at the moment but should still see off Mansfield, and the same applies for Reading against Stevenage - I think Royals boss Jaap Stam is in a bit of trouble if they don’t.

Sheffield Wednesday are managerless and in a bit of a mess but Carlisle have lost their last two games and are not in the play-off picture in League Two, so they are not exactly in great shape either.

Leeds have had a couple of hiccups recently too, but should still beat Newport and I am fairly confident about my team Preston.

Wycombe boss Gareth Ainsworth is a former Preston player and is doing a great job there.

We will have to watch out for Adebayo Akinfenwa but if we can tame the beast and take them to a replay, then we will be in round four.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

** Home team to win away in the replay

Peterborough play open, attractive football and score goals, so their tie with Aston Villa should be a good watch, but I think Steve Bruce’s side will be too strong.

Blackburn against Hull will be close and the Tigers might need a replay. Home advantage will help QPR beat MK Dons.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

** Home team to win away in the replay

Birmingham have beaten Leeds and Reading in the past week so I think they will get past Burton in the battle between two of the Championship’s bottom three.

Middlesbrough are up and running under Tony Pulis after his first win as their manager against Preston on New Year’s Day, and I think they will see off Sunderland in the Tees-Wear derby.

Sheffield United are are on a poor run but then again so are Ipswich, so I will go with the Blades to win after a replay, and I think Millwall will edge out Barnsley, although there won’t be much in it.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

There are no non-league sides left in the FA Cup but there will be at least two from the bottom two divisions in round four.

Yeovil are the lowest-ranked team left in the competition but I don’t think they will get past Bradford, although the Bantams might need a replay.

  • Away team to win at home in the replay

Doncaster beat Rochdale in League One last week and are a good side, but I am going to end with a shock in this one.

In the last round of Premier League games, Lawro got six correct results, including one perfect score, from 10 matches, for a total of 90 points.

He beat Jimmy Dixon, bassist in alt-rock band Django Django, who also got six correct results, but with no perfect scores, giving him a total of 60 points.

In the predictor game, Lawro slipped to to 2,822nd place out of more than 345,00 users.

*Foster and Cram both provided predictions on week one, but only Foster’s score contributes to the guest total.

**Anderson and Moeen both provided predictions on week nine, but only Anderson’s score contributes to the guest total.

_*_Witter and Johnson both provided predictions on week 17, but only Johnson’s score contributes to the guest total.

Lawro’s worst score: 40 points (week four v Umenyiora and Bell, week five v Non Stanford and week 21 v Darren Campbell)

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Pellegrino’s injury problems for Fulham

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Mauricio Pellegrino has a raft of defensive injury problems, but believes Saints can use the FA Cup to get back to winning way.

Pellegrino will have to do without Cedric Soares, Jeremy Pied and Wesley Hoedt, as well striker Charlie Austin for the third round trip to take on Championship side Fulham at Craven Cottage.

After the demoralising midweek defeat to Crystal Palace, Saints desperately need to try and build some momentum.

Pellegrino said: “We have to think about the first game and obviously it will be a difficult situation because every team is different and every experience you have to live this.

“Fulham is a good team with good principle and good football and on their pitch is really difficult.

“I want to use this game to improve, to move one step forward in all different aspects.

“I will try to use my best 11 to win this game.”

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@SouthamptonFC - Southampton FC

#SaintsFC boss Mauricio Pellegrino previews the trip to face #FFC in the #EmiratesFACup third round:

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/01/2018 09:07:41

| | Pellegrino quiet on Walcott return rumoursSPORTSMOLE |
|

| West Ham’s bubbles fly high as Saints attendances plummet alongside their formINSIDEWORLDFOOTBALL |
| | Mauricio Pellegrino: "I am a lucky guy"SPORTSMOLE |
| | Charlie Nicholas predicts Fulham vs Southampton result; makes claim about Pellegrino’s futureHEREISTHECITY |

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The Ugly Inside News for Southampton

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| A Rough Guide To Fulham2 days ago |
| Saints V Crystal Palace The Verdict2 days ago |
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Sam McQueen could be trading in Southampton’s relegation battle for Leeds’ promotion scrap #LUFC #SaintsFC https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/900434/Leeds-United-News-Southampton-Sam-McQueen-Brentford-Reading-EFL-Championship

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#FlashBackFriday to last May when we teamed up to show disability discrimination the red card with @VirginMediaCorphttps://twitter.com/i/web/status/949237524282691584

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Transfer news LIVE: Man Utd, City, Arsenal, Chelsea rumours

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The January transfer window has barely creaked open and already teams are racing to replenish their squads.

Liverpool were the first to take the plunge with a £75million move for Virgil van Dijk, but now face the dilemma over what to do with Philippe Coutinho, with the Brazilian seemingly destined for a move to Barcelona.

Huddersfield were quick out the blocks as they signed defender Terence Kongolo on loan from Monaco, and there are sure to be plenty more deals completed in the next 27 days.

If you want to keep on top of all the latest comings and goings, follow Sportsmail’s live coverage throughout the day as we bring you all the news and rumours from these shores and abroad.

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/01/2018 12:08:37

| | Premier League 2017/18 Golden Boot Battle (5/1/18)VITALFOOTBALL |
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| Fulham vs SouthamptonFULHAMISH |
| | Report: Southampton’s Sam McQueen could join Leeds United on loanHEREISTHECITY |
| | Pellegrino Won’t Be Drawn On Arsenal WingerVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Southampton reportedly leading the race to sign Arsenal man | FutnSoccerFUTNSOCCER |
| | Our Weekly Look At The Southampton FC InjuriesVITALFOOTBALL |
| | Transfer Talk Daily Update: Pellegrino, Carvalhal, SpallettiSPORTSMOLE |

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Pellegrino: FA Cup can help us

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After the disappointment of Tuesday night’s 2-1 defeat to Crystal Palace, attention now switches to a different competition, as Saints make the trip to Craven Cottage for the third-round tie on Saturday.

Pellegrino believes the cup can give his side a platform from which to pull themselves out of trouble when they return to Premier League action.

“For sure. We want to use this game as a reference to move on a step forward, and I will try to put out my best eleven to try to win the game,” he said.

"We have to look forward. We have to use the past to learn and improve, but we know Fulham will be a tough game. They are a good team, with a good style of playing.

"They have quick players and they take a lot of risks – and on their pitch it will be really difficult. We have to be really respectful.

“We have got the experience of Wolves at home [in the Carabao Cup] and every single detail is massive. We have to show for ourselves that we want to win this game.”

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Video: Pellegrino previews Fulham

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Get the view from the opposition camp, as #FFC boss Slavisa Jokanovic looks ahead to #SaintsFC and the… https://twitter.com/i/web/status/949264221296058368

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Summary of non-mainstream articles: 05/01/2018 13:08:52

| | FA Cup Third Round A Professional AffairVITALFOOTBALL |

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Opposition View: Fulham

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Speaking in his pre-match press conference, the Serbian was quick to praise the qualities of his upcoming Premier League opposition but remains confident that his team can win for a fifth consecutive time on home turf.

“Southampton have enough quality to do damage. We must be careful and motivated. We’re in great form ourselves and expect we can our fifth home game in a row.

“(Mauricio) Pellegrino is a great manager, working at a great club. They’ll be looking for a reaction after ten games without a win.

“We must respect this competition. We will try to do everything to win this game. The FA Cup is famous around the world; our intention is to be competitive because it is important for the supporters.”

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Match Preview: Fulham vs Saints

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THE MATCH

Fulham vs Southampton

Saturday 6th January 2018, 3:00pm GMT

Craven Cottage

Emirates FA Cup

WHAT’S AT STAKE?

A momentary break from the current Premier League campaign may well have come at a good time for Saints, who will be looking to bounce back from disappointment against Crystal Palace.

Despite Shane Long’s early strike giving them a platform, Saints were undone by a second-half Palace revival, and are now winless in nine games.

But FA Cup success may provide brief reprieve for Mauricio Pellegrino’s men, who advanced to the fourth round during last year’s competition after a replay against Norwich City.

Unbeaten in their previous four, Saturday’s Championship opponents, Fulham are indeed on a profitable run of form, having overturned Ipswich 4-1 last time out. A productive Christmas period has seen Slaviša Jokanović’s Londoners jump in to tenth, four points adrift of a coveted play-off spot.

The Cottagers progressed to the FA Cup’s fifth round last term, before eventually being knocked out by Tottenham.

TEAM NEWS

Southampton: Right-back Cédric (ankle) and striker Charlie Austin (hamstring) remain sidelined, while Wesley Hoedt (concussion) and Jérémy Pied add to Saints’ defensive shortfall. Ryan Bertrand made a return to fitness against Crystal Palace and came through the game unscathed.

Fulham: The hosts have no fresh injury or suspension concerns in the lead up to the tie. Star man Ryan Sessegnon was substituted with three minutes to spare on Saturday and is expected to start after scoring twice in the win over Ipswich.

FORM GUIDE

Southampton’s previous five:

Crystal Palace (h) L 1-2

Manchester United (a) D 0-0

Tottenham (a) L 2-5

Huddersfield (h) D 1-1

Chelsea (a) L 0-1

Fulham’s previous five:

Ipswich (h) W 4-1

Hull (a) D 2-2

Cardiff (a) W 2-4

Barnsley (h) W 2-1

Sunderland (a) L 1-0

Shane Long scored his first Premier League goal since February against Crystal Palace and will be hoping to use as a catalyst for a purple patch of form to help the team improve.

Elsewhere, Pierre-Emile Højbjerg’s output in the centre of midfield has been a positive - he made more passes and had a higher passing accuracy than any other Saints player during both recent Man Utd and Palace fixtures.

Top scorers: Charlie Austin (6), Steven Davis (3), Manolo Gabbiadini (3), Dušan Tadić (3)

Most assists: Nathan Redmond (3), Ryan Bertrand (3), Dušan Tadić (2)

Amid intense transfer speculation, Ryan Sessegnon has emerged as Fulham’s youngest, yet brightest, attacking threat.

The talented full-back, 17, who finished as joint-top scorer at the European Under-19 Championship last June, has been tracked by Man United for some time, while the teenager’s recent form is rumoured to have attracted significant interest from Tottenham and Real Madrid.

Top scorers: Ryan Sessegnon (7), Aboubakar Kamara (6), Stefan Johansen (5)

Most assists: Ryan Sessegnon (4), Ryan Fredericks (4)

All-time record:

Played: 71

Southampton: 26

Draws: 24

Fulham: 21

Previous four meetings:

Feb 2014: Fulham 0-3 Southampton - A Lallana (64’), R Lambert (70’), J Rodriguez (75’)

Oct 2013: Southampton 2-0 Fulham - R Lambert (20’), J Rodriguez (42’)

Dec 2012: Fulham 1-1 Southampton - R Lambert (85’ pen)

Oct 2012: Southampton 2-2 Fulham - J Fonte (4’, 90’)

DID YOU KNOW?

Southampton have progressed past lower league opponents in 17 of their last 18 FA Cup ties, although the last two occasions have seen the Saints taken to a replay.

Each of Southampton’s last six FA Cup third round matches (excl. replays) have seen both teams score, with 25 goals scored in total (4.2 goals per game).

NOT AT THE GAME?

Don’t worry if you can’t make it to Craven Cottage! Relax at home and follow along with our interactive match centre at southamptonfc.com, where we will have all the build-up, as well as in-game updates and free live audio commentary.

Additionally, be sure to follow us on our various social channels for behind-the-scenes access and further updates:

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Wenger responds to suggestions Walcott will leave Arsenal in January

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Arsene Wenger insists he wants to keep hold of Theo Walcott this month — but stopped short of completely ruling out his sale.

The Arsenal and England forward, 28, has been limited to just 14 appearances this season, with most of those coming in cup competitions.

Walcott, whose contract expires in June 2019, has been attracting interest from a number of top flight clubs. Wenger, though, is keen to hang on to the club’s longest-serving player.

“I want him to stay,” The Frenchman said at his Friday press conference.

When quizzed about reports linking Walcott with a return to Southampton, Wenger replied: “I heard about that but I want him to stay.”

Wenger, meanwhile, insisted stands by the comments he made before and after Arsenal’s 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Wednesday night.

The Football Association has asked Wenger to provide his observations on what he said about two penalty decisions given against the Gunners, the first awarded to West Brom on New Year’s Eve and the second given to Antonio Conte’s men.

“I maintain what I said in the press conference - 100 per cent. I have nothing to change in that,” he said.

“I’ve been in England for 21 years and I try to serve this game with honesty and integrity and when I have something to say I will say it. On that front, nothing will change, never.”

Wenger faces a separate FA charge relating to his behaviour after last weekend’s 1-1 draw with West Brom, when Arsenal defender Calum Chambers was penalised by Mike Dean for a handball.

He said at the club’s Friday press conference ahead of the FA Cup third-round tie against Nottingham Forest that he “doesn’t know” if he will contest the charge.

He added: “You imagine that I’ve been in the game for 21 years. What I’ve seen and heard in the corridors from people, you might understand that I’m surprised and shocked at having been charged.”

Arsenal conceded another late penalty against Chelsea at the Emirates Stadium in midweek when Eden Hazard went down following a challenge from Hector Bellerin.

Wenger refuses to back down on his claim that the spot-kick awarded against Bellerin was “farcical”, standing by the comment “100 per cent” and adding: "I respect everybody’s opinion.

“I think it was a yellow card for Hazard. 100 per cent (he dived). I have a right to have my opinion and I respect everybody’s opinion.”

When it was pointed out to Wenger that Jack Wilshere was accused of diving in the same match, the 68-year-old replied: "Maybe he did, but why should that change my opinion on the penalty? It has nothing to do with the penalty.

“You have your opinion and I have my opinion and I’ve been in the game long enough to know that everybody can have a different opinion.”

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