Liverpool to plunder poor Latics

27Jan 2013

FA Cup

Christian Crowther takes a look at Sunday's televised FA Cup clashes and, using the Opta stats, provides a few tips...

Brentford v Chelsea (Sunday, 12:00, ESPN)

The Blues have shipped just nine goals in their last 13 away FA Cup games combined, and never more than once in single match in this run

Chelsea fans may have been given yet another excuse to hate on Rafa Benitez after their Capital One Cup exit, however, the holders are unlikely to release their grip on the FA Cup lightly. League One side Brentford are enjoying a splendid season in the third tier - sitting just six points off the top in third - though overcoming their more illustrious west London neighbours will surely prove a step too far. The Bees have a very poor record against Premier League opposition in the famous cup, winning only once in their last 13 battles with top-flight foes - against Sunderland back in 2006. Chelsea are an FA Cup winning machine in recent years, highlighted by a run of just one outright loss in their last 35 games in the competition, during which time they have enjoyed 29 victories.

Recommended Bet: Back Chelsea to win to nil @ 2.2

Leeds v Tottenham (Sunday, 14:00, ESPN)

Leeds have been eliminated by north London clubs in each of the last three FA Cups, losing to Tottenham in 2010 and Arsenal in 2011 and 2012

Leeds' spiritual home has served them well in the league this season, with the Yorkshire side winning nine and losing just three of their fixtures at Elland Road. However, in the FA Cup third round, Neil Warnock's side could only manage a 1-1 draw with struggling Birmingham at home, following on from a 5-1 thumping at the hands of Chelsea in the Capital One Cup in front of their fans. Leeds' home resolve will be tested in this fixture to, and very likely beyond, it's limits. Premier League visitors Tottenham are in fine fettle, unbeaten in eight games, taking in five wins in that run. Their manager Andre Villas-Boas is yet to taste defeat in this competition, after setting Chelsea on the way to victory in 2011/12 before getting the boot, and he should increase his win tally here.

Recommended Bet: Back Tottenham to win @ 1.72

Oldham v Liverpool (Sunday, 16:00, ITV1)

The Latics have lost each of their last four games at Boundary Park, conceding exactly two goals in each of those defeats

The last fixture of the fourth round sees a repeat of a match from last season's competition, although it was eventual finalists Liverpool doing some third-round hosting on that occasion. The Premier League outfit dispatched Oldham 5-1 at Anfield and, given the Reds' recent upsurge in form, it's difficult to see anything other than a one-sided affair in front of the cameras again. Oldham are looking forlorn in League One at present, without a victory since the beginning of December - which unsurprisingly coincided with the last time they managed to keep a clean sheet under Paul Dickov. With new Liverpool signing Daniel Sturridge and top scorer Luis Suarez forming a burgeoning understanding, it could be a damage limitation exercise for Dickov's troops. Liverpool have scored 11 in their last two FA Cup meetings with Football League sides.