The magic of the FA Cup is well and truly alive after Plymouth’s win in the last round against Liverpool and Paul Coyte and Clive Allen took a look at the Last 16 fixtures to try and predict any potential shocks this weekend.
Clive spoke on his love of the FA Cup and said “I think the whole world’s attention is drawn to the FA Cup final. The FA Cup in itself is just magical. So many great things happen throughout every year. There’s always a story to be told. And I will never, ever fall out of love with the FA Cup.”
Clive also recalled scoring in the 1987 Cup final after just two minutes saying “It’s incredible. You know, it’s a boyhood dream to one play in the FA Cup final, but then to be able to score in it, when I reflect back on it now, it doesn’t get any better than that. And people say, ‘oh, what was your best goal?’ And always an FA Cup final goal will come to mind. It’s an incredible occasion. Great day.”
Clive competed in the 1987 FA Cup final for Tottenham Hotspur against Coventry City.
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FA Cup Predictions
Now onto this weekends predictions…
Aston Villa vs Cardiff City
Paul: 3-0
“Cardiff are 19th in the Championship I mean as far as predictions go, there’s there’s only going to be one winner. I know it’s the magic of the FA Cup, but can Cardiff do anything.”
Clive: 2-0
“I think, you know, there’s always shocks. I don’t see this one being a shock. Villa have been beaten heavily in the week against Crystal Palace. I think they beat Spurs in the last round which was a good result. They’ve drawn their last two games Cardiff. So I’m not sure they’re bringing the best of form into this fifth round tie.”
Preston North End vs Burnley
Paul: 0-2
“Burnley going very well. They won at Southampton. But then again most people win at Southampton.”
Clive: 1-2
“Burnley, 12 clean sheets on the bounce, which is quite incredible. A wonderful run of form from them. Preston have had mixed results. Drawn, lost and won in their last three. So there’s no real form to the way that they’re playing.”
Crystal Palace vs Millwall
Paul: 2-1
“Millwall, every now and again they have a little Cup run. This is a tricky one. Especially with Millwall in the FA Cup. And it’s you know, it’s a local derby. I think I’m going to go Palace 2-1. I’m going to give Millwall a goal there at Selhurst Park.”
Clive: 2-1
“This is a fiercely competitive game between these two teams. There’s a real rivalry between Palace and Millwall because they’re very, very close together in south London.”
Bournemouth vs Wolves
Paul: 2-0
“Bournemouth, a couple of little results there. It’s not going as well as they wanted. Wolves lost as well. They’re hovering away from relegation when it comes to the Premier League. But it’s at Bournemouth.”
Clive: 2-0
“Bournemouth three defeats in their last four after what has been a sensational season. You’ve got you can’t give them nothing but credit here. I think when they’re on form as we’ve seen they can beat anyone.”
Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle
Paul: 2-0
“You would expect a walkover. But things are different. It is the FA Cup and they are going to have a go Plymouth, they’re not going to try and sit back and soak it up. They’re going to have a go.”
Clive 3-1
“This cup run I think it’s just lifted the whole club and Man City are fragile. They’ll just go for it. And they’ve beat Liverpool, they beat the league leaders. They’ll go there with absolutely nothing to lose. So I think it’s going to be quite a tight game.”
Newcastle vs Brighton
Paul: 2-2 (Newcastle to win on penalties)
“Newcastle, sometimes they win, sometimes they lose. Brighton, they’re on a better run at last aren’t they. They’ve, they’ve won four on the trot now.”
Clive: 2-1
“Newcastle I saw them play at Man City recently. They were pretty dreadful then. They’ve had some good results. So you’re not quite sure. It depends on what Newcastle side turn up against a Brighton team that are really buoyant at the moment.”
Manchester United vs Brighton
Paul: 0-1
“Everything that’s going on at Manchester United on and off the pitch. Fulham are looking better. So are they going to go over to Old Trafford and turn them over.”
Clive 1-0
“One of the poorest Manchester United squads. Not just team, squads that I’ve seen. But it’s the Cup, Paul. So I’m going to go Manchester United 1-0 Fulham.”
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich
Paul: 2-0
“Let’s not beat around the Bush. It’s got to be a forest win for me. I can’t see anything else at all.”
Clive: 2-1
“I think we thought Ipswich would have a difficult time in the Premier League. They are fighting. They make games tough for teams against them. But I just think this this could be the end of the road for their FA Cup run this year, which might not be a bad thing in terms of trying to survive in the Premier League.”