Emirates FA Cup: 3 Fourth Round plotlines to look out for

The Third Round of the Emirates FA Cup produced plenty of drama at the weekend with no fewer than six Premier League teams seeing their hopes come crashing down.

And the Fourth Round draw has thrown up the potential for even more exciting cup action.

Each of Stoke, West Brom and Bournemouth went out to lower-league opposition, showing that the magic of the cup is very much alive and well.

Nine Replays must still be decided to claim a spot in the next stage, but after last night’s Fourth Round draw, those 18 teams know what might await them.

So here are three things we reckon you should look out for in the Fourth Round…

Gunners could be in trouble

While Liverpool, Chelsea, Tottenham and Manchester United receive home ties, Arsenal fans will be feeling hard done by.

The Gunners must visit either Southampton or Norwich, and while Manchester City also have an away trip in store, Crystal Palace or Bolton offer an easier encounter on paper.

So, if Arsene Wenger is to win a seventh Emirates FA Cup, he’s going to have to do it the hard way. And the Frenchman will be particularly concerned about facing the Saints, having already been knocked out by the south coast outfit in the EFL Cup this term.

London duo can be cup heroes

With Fulham at home to Hull, and Millwall welcoming Watford, we could see a pair of cup upsets in the capital.

The Cottagers have become steady opposition in the Championship, and have plenty of ability to capitalise on a Tigers side in dire straits.

And in south London, Millwall have already dumped one Premier League side out with a 3-0 victory over Bournemouth. Given Watford’s ropey form of late, the Lions will be confident of causing another surprise.

Plenty of Fifth Round hope for lower leagues

This year’s Fifth Round could see numerous lower league representation.

Rochdale and Oxford United each have a Fourth Round home tie against Championship opposition, while Lincoln City and AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United could join them.

So don’t be surprised if we see several sides from outside the top-two tiers featuring in the Fifth Round.

Here’s the Emirates FA Cup Fourth Round draw in full:

Tottenham Hotspur v Wycombe Wanderers

Derby County v Leicester City

Oxford United v Newcastle United or Birmingham City

AFC Wimbledon or Sutton United v Cambridge United or Leeds United

Plymouth Argyle or Liverpool v Wolverhampton Wanderers

Southampton or Norwich City v Arsenal

Lincoln City or Ipswich Town v Brighton and Hove Albion

Chelsea v Brentford

Manchester United v Wigan Athletic

Millwall v Watford

Rochdale v Huddersfield Town

Burnley or Sunderland v Fleetwood Town or Bristol City

Blackburn Rovers v Barnsley or Blackpool

Fulham v Hull City

Middlesbrough v Accrington Stanley

Crystal Palace or Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City

Ties will be played the weekend of Friday January 27 – Monday January 30.

Best of luck to all of those involved!

Keep your eyes peeled to Ladbrokes News and @Ladbrokes for plenty more Emirates FA Cup build-up and exclusive content.

As the official bookmaker of the FA, we’ve already been at the heart of the conversation having been on the hunt for the next Non-League hotshot in our #VardyVerdict series.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing