Previewing Sunday’s FA Cup fixtures

Sunday, February 19, 2012 has the makings of yet another promising day in English football, with back-to-back-to-back matches on schedule: Crawley Town v Stoke City (12:00 GMT), Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur (14:00 GMT) and Liverpool v Brighton (16:30 GMT).

Get your champagne bottles ready, because all three fixtures should be absolute corkers.

Now then, let’s get right to the match previews and predictions. Enjoy.

Crawley Town v Stoke City: Match Preview

Tony Pulis and Stoke City travel to Broadfield Stadium to take on Crawley Town on Sunday.

Coming into this fixture, Stoke have lost five of their six games in all competitions. Not good.

In retrospect, Crawley have won three and drawn two, while losing just once in their last six matches. Pretty good.

Betting Odds

Crawley Town (11/4) v Stoke City (11/10); Draw (5/2)

Players to Watch

Former Macclesfield Town forward Tyrone Barnett, who has netted 15 goals and eight assists in 31 games in all competitions for the Red Devils, is the premier danger man for Crawley.

If Barnett plays well, I fancy Crawley to stun Stoke City at Broadfield Stadium on Sunday.

For Stoke City, keep a close eye on Cameron Jerome.

Jerome has tallied just six goals and two assists in 21 games for the Potters in 2011-12, but the former Birmingham City striker has bagged two goals and an assist in two FA Cup matches.

Prediction

We’ve got a shocker on the cards, 2-1 Crawley.

Stevenage v Tottenham Hotspur: Match Preview

Harry Redknapp, yes he is still Spurs’ boss…for now, and Tottenham Hotspur will take on Stevenage at Broadhall Way on Sunday afternoon.

Spurs, who are huge favorites, will surely fancy their chances against Stevenage, especially since their recent run of cracking form has seen them create a ten-point gap between them and fourth-place Arsenal in the English Premier League table.

Meanwhile, Stevenage are unbeaten in their last six games, outscoring the opposition 13-4 since the seventh of January.

Betting Odds

Stevenage (21/2) v Tottenham Hotspur (1/3); Draw (9/2)

Players to Watch

Left back Scott Laird, who has tallied eights goals and three assists in 34 starts in all competitions in 2011-12, is the player to watch for Stevenage.

Laird will need to be exceptional at the back and in attack if the home side are to keep up with Spurs on Sunday.

For Tottenham, Jermain Defoe might just be the danger man. No introduction necessary.

Prediction

Too much Tottenham, 3-0 Spurs.

Liverpool v Brighton: Match Preview

Liverpool will host League Championship side Brighton in the FA Cup (Round 5) at Anfield on Sunday.

Brighton enter this fixture unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, and have yet to lose in 2012.

On the other hand, Liverpool are coming off a 2-1 loss to bitter rivals Manchester United.

How will they respond?

Betting Odds

Liverpool (3/10) v Brighton (12/1); Draw (5/1)

Players to Watch

Keep an eye on Liverpool talisman, not really, Andy Carroll. Whether he’s yelling at the referee or scoring goals, you will surely be entertained. By the way, I’d put my money on the former.

For Brighton, Ashley Barnes is surely the danger man. The 22-year-old striker has netted nine goals and three assists in 34 appearances for the Seagulls this season.

Prediction

If Liverpool can score they’ll win. If not, they won’t.