FA Cup preview: Chelsea, United continue campaigns

Chelsea’s trip to Everton in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday will see a replay of the two sides that faced off at Wembley two years ago.

The Londoners, managed by Guus Hiddink at the time, trailed after just 26 seconds in a memorable final courtesy of a stunning Louis Saha strike, but pulled goals back via Didier Drogba and Frank Lampard to win the trophy.

Times have changed since, with Chelsea struggling to defend their English Premier League title this campaign. But after a dismal run of form, the Blues appear to have turned a corner with a 4-0 demolition of this season’s surprise packet Bolton and are on track to win a hat-trick of FA Cup titles.

Everton’s season has also been below expectations, with their hopes of an upset at Goodison Park on Saturday not helped by the absence of Australian star Tim Cahill. The goalscoring midfielder is on national duty, but would normally relish the spotlight against the Blues.

Both sides cruised past their third-round opponents, with Chelsea demoralising Ipswich Town 7-0 and Everton enjoying a 5-1 away victory at Scunthorpe early in January.

Elsewhere, Manchester United will be without defender Rafael for their trip to Southampton on Saturday as Sir Alex Ferguson’s side aims to keep alive their hopes of completing a trophy treble.

Leading the Premier League and in the knockout stages of the Champions League, United are positioned well to claim a multiple titles this campaign but face a test in the League One’s fourth-placed side at St Mary’s Stadium.

Rafael was concussed in his side’s come-from-behind win over Blackpool at Bloomfield Road in the league on Tuesday, and Ferguson said it was a clear-cut decision to rest the right-back from the fixture.

Bolton host Wigan in one of three all-Premier League affairs on Saturday, with Wanderers aiming to bounce back from their thumping by Chelsea on Monday in the league.

Aston Villa welcome Blackburn Rovers to Villa Park, having been unbeaten in their past four in all competitions and finally gathering momentum in their season.

In other fourth-round clashes on Saturday, Swansea City host Leyton Orient, Torquay United face Crawley Town, Watford welcome Brighton and Hove Albion, Burnley clash with Burton Albion, Birmingham City and Coventry City face off, Stevenage do battle with Reading and Sheffield Wednesday are at home to Hereford United.