So here we go – after a decent break the MicroNations League Cup is back and we are now technically closer to the end of the season than the start. Still plenty of football to be played though, especially with the extra FA Cup games being added to the Premier League ones – let’s see what impact that will have on the MicroNations leaderboard.. it’s all about strategy at this stage (and how many transfers you have left!)
Talking of which Game week 22 starts with an FA Cup game between Man United and Championship league level Middlebrough; read on for what’s in store…
FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Manchester United 20:00 Middlesbrough
This weekend's FA Cup action kicked off on Friday with a game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Middlesbrough. Manchester United were favourites to win this one against Championship side Middlesbrough. Despite Middlesbrough chasing a Championship play-off place as their priority they held Man Utd to 1-1 at full time with a goal by Crooks canceling out Man United’s 24th minute strike by Sancho (assisted by Fernandes). Ronaldo contributed with a MISSED penalty in the 2oth minute so steel yourself for missed points if you have him!!
The game eventually went to penalties in a nail-biting decider – with the honours going to Middlesbrough 7-8 who KNOCK MAN UTD OUT OF THE FA CUP!
SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Chelsea 12:30 Plymouth Argyle
Saturday's 12:30pm kick off is a game featuring Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle. The Blues will be up against the Green Army who have an in form striker on their books in the shape of Jephcott, so no guarantee of a clean sheet for Chelsea's leaky defence. Don't expect Chelsea to field a full strength side. Christensen could be back from injury. Remember that Chelsea are off to the ‘Club World Cup’ in Abu Dhabi (I’d never heard of it either!) after this so a couple of blanks coming up.
Kidderminster Harriers 12:30 West Ham United
The other early game sees Kidderminster Harriers taking on West Ham United at the Aggborough Stadium. Kidderminster beat Reading in the previous round and will need to ride their luck again against Premier League side West Ham. The Hammer will likely field a weakened side. Fabianski has been absent recently but could return to action today. Antonio played for Jamaica on Thursday so may be missing.
Crystal Palace 15:00 Hartlepool United
The first of the 3pm matches has Crystal Palace playing host to Hartlepool United. Hartlepool are 16th in League Two so shouldn't pose too much of a problem for Premier League opposition. The Eagles will have a few players returning from the African Cup and they will possibly play in this game. Tomkins and McArthur may feature on return from injury.
Everton 15:00 Brentford
An all Premier League affair is next up - Everton v Brentford at Goodison Park. Everton are now managed by Frank Lampard and they brought in a handful of other new faces during the January window who are likely to play today. DCL will miss match though. 14th place Brentford come into this game on a run of four consecutive defeats but are well clear of the drop. Josh Da Silva and Zanka may get minutes today.
Manchester City 15:00 Fulham
For the next of the 3 o'clock games we go to the Ethiad where Manchester City taking on Fulham. Man City are top of the Premier League and Fulham are top of the Championship so this could be an exciting game and Pep may have to field a strong side. Fulham have been free-scoring of late with Mitrovic in good form. Zinchenko may feature after missing recent games with a knock.
Southampton 15:00 Coventry City
Southampton versus Coventry City at St Mary's is the next 3pm game. Last time out Southampton drew with Manchester City (when Salisu was impressive) and as they are comfortably sat in mid-table may fancy a Cup run. Coventry are 10th in the Championship but are within a few points of the play-offs. Livramento might get a run out if he has recovered from his recent injury.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Norwich City
The final 3 o'clock match is another all Prem game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City. Wolves are 8th and in good form at the moment. Hwang and Neto are rumoured to be nearing match fitness. Norwich are now out of the relegation zone but could easily slip back so expect them to prioritise League survival over a Cup run. Billy Gilmour, Omobamidele, Rupp and Normann could all feature.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Burnley 18:00 Watford
At 6pm is the weekend's solitary Premier League match taking place between Burnley v Watford. Burnley are rock bottom of the Premier League but have strengthened in the window with Weghorst joining on loan. Barnes and Taylor may return. Watford are now managed by Roy Hodgson after Ranieri left recently. Watford are second to bottom and Dennis is suspended for this one. Sarr is now fit but missing as playing in the African Cup final.
FA CUP
Tottenham Hotspur 20:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
The final Saturday match is another all Premier League game featuring Tottenham Hotspur versus Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs have brought in a couple of players in the Window and are likely to field a strong side as the FA Cup is their only chance of silverware. Romero could feature. Brighton are draw specialists so expect this to go to extra time and pens. Duffy is likely to be fit.
SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Liverpool 12:00 Cardiff City
Two FA Cup games this Sunday, the first of which is Liverpool against Cardiff City at Anfield. Liverpool are likely to field a team of youngsters and bench warmers. Mane and Salah are still missing due to African Cup involvement. Harvey Elliott may be involved to build match fitness. Cardiff are near the bottom of the Championship but have hit a good vein of form recently.
Nottingham Forest 16:00 Leicester City
And finally, a 4 o'clock kick off featuring Nottingham Forest and Leicester City. Forest are 8th in the Championship but only a couple of points outside the play offs so may not be interested in a Cup run. The Foxes are 10th in the Prem and FA Cup holders so are likely to field a strong team for this one. No new injuries to report. Vardy still out so Daka or Iheanacho up top.
Not playing Arsenal, Watford, Leeds, Newcastle.
The next set of games are in midweek, so watchout for that all important MicroNations review and results on Monday!!
Talking of which Game week 22 starts with an FA Cup game between Man United and Championship league level Middlebrough; read on for what’s in store…
FRIDAY 4TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Manchester United 20:00 Middlesbrough
This weekend's FA Cup action kicked off on Friday with a game at Old Trafford between Manchester United and Middlesbrough. Manchester United were favourites to win this one against Championship side Middlesbrough. Despite Middlesbrough chasing a Championship play-off place as their priority they held Man Utd to 1-1 at full time with a goal by Crooks canceling out Man United’s 24th minute strike by Sancho (assisted by Fernandes). Ronaldo contributed with a MISSED penalty in the 2oth minute so steel yourself for missed points if you have him!!
The game eventually went to penalties in a nail-biting decider – with the honours going to Middlesbrough 7-8 who KNOCK MAN UTD OUT OF THE FA CUP!
SATURDAY 5TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Chelsea 12:30 Plymouth Argyle
Saturday's 12:30pm kick off is a game featuring Chelsea and Plymouth Argyle. The Blues will be up against the Green Army who have an in form striker on their books in the shape of Jephcott, so no guarantee of a clean sheet for Chelsea's leaky defence. Don't expect Chelsea to field a full strength side. Christensen could be back from injury. Remember that Chelsea are off to the ‘Club World Cup’ in Abu Dhabi (I’d never heard of it either!) after this so a couple of blanks coming up.
Kidderminster Harriers 12:30 West Ham United
The other early game sees Kidderminster Harriers taking on West Ham United at the Aggborough Stadium. Kidderminster beat Reading in the previous round and will need to ride their luck again against Premier League side West Ham. The Hammer will likely field a weakened side. Fabianski has been absent recently but could return to action today. Antonio played for Jamaica on Thursday so may be missing.
Crystal Palace 15:00 Hartlepool United
The first of the 3pm matches has Crystal Palace playing host to Hartlepool United. Hartlepool are 16th in League Two so shouldn't pose too much of a problem for Premier League opposition. The Eagles will have a few players returning from the African Cup and they will possibly play in this game. Tomkins and McArthur may feature on return from injury.
Everton 15:00 Brentford
An all Premier League affair is next up - Everton v Brentford at Goodison Park. Everton are now managed by Frank Lampard and they brought in a handful of other new faces during the January window who are likely to play today. DCL will miss match though. 14th place Brentford come into this game on a run of four consecutive defeats but are well clear of the drop. Josh Da Silva and Zanka may get minutes today.
Manchester City 15:00 Fulham
For the next of the 3 o'clock games we go to the Ethiad where Manchester City taking on Fulham. Man City are top of the Premier League and Fulham are top of the Championship so this could be an exciting game and Pep may have to field a strong side. Fulham have been free-scoring of late with Mitrovic in good form. Zinchenko may feature after missing recent games with a knock.
Southampton 15:00 Coventry City
Southampton versus Coventry City at St Mary's is the next 3pm game. Last time out Southampton drew with Manchester City (when Salisu was impressive) and as they are comfortably sat in mid-table may fancy a Cup run. Coventry are 10th in the Championship but are within a few points of the play-offs. Livramento might get a run out if he has recovered from his recent injury.
Wolverhampton Wanderers 15:00 Norwich City
The final 3 o'clock match is another all Prem game between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Norwich City. Wolves are 8th and in good form at the moment. Hwang and Neto are rumoured to be nearing match fitness. Norwich are now out of the relegation zone but could easily slip back so expect them to prioritise League survival over a Cup run. Billy Gilmour, Omobamidele, Rupp and Normann could all feature.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Burnley 18:00 Watford
At 6pm is the weekend's solitary Premier League match taking place between Burnley v Watford. Burnley are rock bottom of the Premier League but have strengthened in the window with Weghorst joining on loan. Barnes and Taylor may return. Watford are now managed by Roy Hodgson after Ranieri left recently. Watford are second to bottom and Dennis is suspended for this one. Sarr is now fit but missing as playing in the African Cup final.
FA CUP
Tottenham Hotspur 20:00 Brighton & Hove Albion
The final Saturday match is another all Premier League game featuring Tottenham Hotspur versus Brighton & Hove Albion. Spurs have brought in a couple of players in the Window and are likely to field a strong side as the FA Cup is their only chance of silverware. Romero could feature. Brighton are draw specialists so expect this to go to extra time and pens. Duffy is likely to be fit.
SUNDAY 6TH FEBRUARY
FA CUP
Liverpool 12:00 Cardiff City
Two FA Cup games this Sunday, the first of which is Liverpool against Cardiff City at Anfield. Liverpool are likely to field a team of youngsters and bench warmers. Mane and Salah are still missing due to African Cup involvement. Harvey Elliott may be involved to build match fitness. Cardiff are near the bottom of the Championship but have hit a good vein of form recently.
Nottingham Forest 16:00 Leicester City
And finally, a 4 o'clock kick off featuring Nottingham Forest and Leicester City. Forest are 8th in the Championship but only a couple of points outside the play offs so may not be interested in a Cup run. The Foxes are 10th in the Prem and FA Cup holders so are likely to field a strong team for this one. No new injuries to report. Vardy still out so Daka or Iheanacho up top.
Not playing Arsenal, Watford, Leeds, Newcastle.
The next set of games are in midweek, so watchout for that all important MicroNations review and results on Monday!!
RSS Feed
