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The Premier League takes a pause as the fourth round of the FA Cup takes the stage on the weekend.
But by this time next week, there’ll be a clearer picture of how tight the title race will be.
After Arsenal thrashed Manchester City 5-1 last week, they remain six points back of leaders Liverpool, who still have a game in hand.
And that game comes next Wednesday in the Fubo Game of the Week. It’s a massive game because while Everton sits in 16th place, a whopping 30 points back of Liverpool, this city rivalry burns deep.
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Everton, particularly at home, always raise their game in front of their rabid fans when they’re playing Liverpool.
Adding to the emotion that’s always present in these games is the fact this is the last Merseyside derby to be played at Goodison Park before Everton move to their waterfront stadium next season. It’s a special fixture in a special place that has over 100 years of history wrapped up in it.
While Liverpool have had the better of their rivals in the standings and with silverware in hand (Everton’s most recent trophy was won in 1995) for decades now, Everton only have lost at home twice to Liverpool in the past 10 seasons, though there have been seven draws there.
That’s in stark contrast to their record at Anfield, where they’ve lost nine, won one and only managed two draws in the same period.
Goodison matters in this fixture. Both sets of players are riled up, red cards are often a good bet to be featured as the 23 ones dished out in this fixture since the Premier League was formed are the most of any matchup between two teams in the league.
Everton players always raise their game above their talent for this one.
Add to that Everton have won three in a row under new manager David Moyes and Arsenal will be watching with fingers, toes and whatever else they can cross, crossed.
I’ve seen theories that when Liverpool have struggled this season, it’s when teams play a low block and don’t venture forward. Moyes has Everton scoring more freely and the crowd’s energy will spur players to push forward even against better judgement.
That’s the ultimate risk-reward for Everton: Get a goal and the place will explode, but you’ll also leave more space for Liverpool’s potent attack. They’ve scored the most goals in the league, 56, despite playing one fewer game than everyone else. Arsenal are second with 49.
The ramifications are huge getting this game in hand out of the way. Arsenal play at Anfield in the third-to-last match of the season. If Everton can scratch out a win here, Arsenal really only have to hope to capitalize on one Liverpool slip up to make that match a decider. But should the Reds beat the Toffees next week, Arsenal will need three slip ups along the way. Even a draw, the most likely outcome, sees Liverpool get one more game of breathing room.
We are only just in February, but closing a nine-point gap for a team that’s only lost once all season is going to be an exhausting chase for Arsenal. They have to hope the toughest games left on Liverpool’s list (at Everton, at Manchester City, at Chelsea and then Arsenal at Anfield) all see the Reds drop points.
One other thing: Looking ahead to the following weekend when the Premier League returns, Arsenal already are knocked out of the FA Cup, so they get two full weeks of rest while Liverpool, who will likely empty the bench against Championship strugglers Plymouth Argyle this weekend, then play Everton midweek so the Gunners have an opportunity to freshen up.
Swap shop
For most clubs, the transfer window closed with little fanfare. The frenzy from past years didn’t materialize.
Except, of course, for Manchester City. They spent a whopping $322 million on six players. By contrast, leaders Liverpool spent $0.
There’s some conjecture that City, who obviously need a massive rebuild being 15 points off the top, spent to start the rejuvenation. There’s another that it was because they are fearing a full transfer ban coming the 115 financial violations they’ve been charged with and they were getting ahead of it now.
Manchester United, in the midst of their worst Premier League season, bought left back Patrick Dorgu, but more notably lent out exiled striker Marcus Rashford to Aston Villa. If that works out, a permanent deal will be on the table in the summer.
Cup half-empty
Ah, the magic of the FA Cup. An unseeded tournament that sees top teams play each other and lower-level teams sneak through.
As such, we saw Manchester United take out Arsenal in the previous round.
But looking at the fixtures this weekend, it’s hard to pick out a marquee matchup. I suppose it’s Aston Villa vs. Tottenham, or maybe Everton vs. Bournemouth?
It’s probably more enticing to see some of the matchups from the lower divisions, knowing that either Preston North End or Wycombe will make the next round. Or Stoke and Cardiff.
There likely will still be some interesting results, but don’t hold your breath seeing Leyton Orient take out Manchester City or Manchester United beat the odds and slay Leicester. Kidding, they are the defending champions after all. Which may say more about the ‘magic’ of this tournament than anything else.
FA Cup slate
Friday: Manchester United vs. Leicester.
Saturday: Leeds vs. Millwall; Leyton Orient vs. Manchester City; Preston North End vs. Wycombe; Coventry vs. Ipswich; Wigan vs. Fulham; Everton vs. Bournemouth; Southampton vs. Burnley; Stoke vs. Cardiff; Birmingham vs. Newcastle; Brighton vs. Chelsea.
Sunday: Blackburn vs. Wolves; Plymouth vs. Liverpool; Aston Villa vs. Tottenham.
Monday: Doncaster Rovers vs. Crystal Palace.
Tuesday: Exeter vs. Nottingham Forest.
Premier League slate
Wednesday: Everton vs. Liverpool
February 14: Brighton vs. Chelsea.
February 15: Leicester vs. Arsenal; Aston Villa vs. Ipswich; Fulham vs. Nottingham Forest; Manchester City vs. Newcastle; Southampton vs. Bournemouth; West Ham vs. Brentford; Crystal Palace vs. Everton.
February 16: Liverpool vs. Wolves; Tottenham vs. Manchester.