Will underdogs cause upsets in the fifth round of the FA Cup?

The fifth round of the FA Cup takes place this weekend and there is a chance that some of the smaller teams of English football could take some big scalps.

The FA Cup has been built on shock results, that’s the magic of the cup.

Sunday

On Sunday two of the competitions lowest ranking sides take on Premier League sides hoping to gain a famous victory. League Two Crawley Town welcome Tony Pulis’ Stoke side, fresh from their 1-0 Europa League defeat to Spanish side Valencia to the Broadfield Stadium.

Crawley are the lowest ranked team in the competition but they are enjoying another good season under controversial boss Steve Evans. Town are currently sitting in the League Two play-off positions and hoping to achieve another promotion.

Evans men have also won five out of their last six games in all competitions, so go into this tie in good heart. They really have nothing to lose, it’s Stoke that have everything to lose and nothing to gain. Everybody will be expecting the Potters to beat Crawley.

This tie has all the earmarks of a cup shock. A Premier League team who are struggling for form, visit a lower league team who are riding high. This tie is definitely the one I would look at for a shock result.

League One Stevenage got the glamour tie of the round as they host Harry Redknapp’s Tottenham at Broadhall Way. Stevenage like Crawley are in the play-off positions in their respective league and looking to gain yet another promotion.

Stevenage have lost just once on their own patch this season and have looked impressive in their other home games. They have a new boss in Gary Smith, who has replaced long-serving Graham Westley at the helm of the club.

Stevenage may have a good home record but Tottenham are one of the top teams in the country and it’s difficult to see the League One side getting anything against high-flying Spurs. Tottenham haven’t lost in the FA Cup to lower league opposition since 2006, when they were defeated by Leicester

Championship side Brighton also visit Liverpool on Sunday hoping to pull off a shock result. It wouldn’t be a surprise to me if the Seagulls achieved a draw against the Reds. The two sides have already met this season in the Carling Cup with Liverpool emerging victorious.

Although Liverpool are unbeaten at home this season the Reds have drawn an incredible eight times at home. I think this could be an opportunity for the Seagulls to have a go at Kenny Dalglish’s men. I’m not saying they will beat the Reds but I wouldn’t bet against a draw.

Potential

Liverpool’s city-rivals Everton host Championship side Blackpool at Goodison Park. The Toffee’s head into this tie on the back of a 2-0 home victory over Chelsea and are on a good run of form. There is hope for the seaside’s though as they are also on a good run of form.

Everton have also exited the competition four out of the last five seasons at Goodison and on three occasions were eliminated by teams from the lower leagues. This is another potential shock waiting to happen.

However Everton have recovered from their early season struggles and are starting to hit their annual post-Christmas good spell. It will be difficult for Blackpool because I can’t see Everton slipping up this time around.

Special

It’s these sorts of ties that keep the magic of the FA Cup alive. I hope there are a few shocks this weekend because that’s what has made the FA Cup so special over the years. It’s time for some lower league players to etch their name into FA Cup folklore forever.

Who will be the team to cause the shock of the FA Cup fifth round?