Alan Smith’s Expert Analysis: FA Cup 3rd Round Predictions & Analysis

Liverpool Game Preview

A bit of revenge in the air with how they lost it at Anfield. I did Liverpool at Fulham the other day, and they’re obviously not themselves, not playing anywhere near as well as they can be.

So I expect Arsenal to have the better of it, and I think they’ll win the game. It might be quite tight, but I think Arsenal will get past them.

Eberechi Eze Signing

I still think Arsenal were right in signing him. I think he’s a really good player. I think at times they’ve tried to get him and Ødegaard in the same side, and it looked a bit awkward. I think Eze’s coming has helped Ødegaard, actually. It’s pushed him on a bit, and he’s finding some better form.

But Eze, he’ll have a big part to play. He obviously got that hat-trick against Spurs, didn’t he, a few weeks back now. But he’s a great man to have in your squad and in your first 11 when he’s playing well. I don’t think there are any real concerns there.

Arsenal’s January Transfer Needs

They’re so well covered. They’re one of the few sides you’d say, no, they don’t need anything. Because there’s always a possibility that you just go a bit far, and you’re overloaded with your squad and you’ve got unhappy players. And they will have that as they move forward, those lads that aren’t playing. But no, I can’t think of a position that needs strengthening.

Arsenal’s Best Summer Signing

Zubimendi, I think. He’s one of those who can go under the radar because he simplifies his game, he makes it look easy, and I think if you can come into an Arteta side and do what he’s done, slipping so seamlessly, that says a lot about his football intelligence. He’s weighed in with a few goals as well. I think he’s been excellent, really good.

Declan Rice Form

I think Rice is up there with the best in the world. Talking about Zubimendi, I think Zubimendi helps Declan Rice because he sits there and allows Declan to get involved. And he’s an old-fashioned midfielder, really, Declan, in terms of getting up and down. Athletic ability. You compare him to somebody like Patrick Vieira at Arsenal back in the day. And he’s certainly one of the best all-round midfielders in world football. I can’t think of many better.

Ballon d’Or winner potentially? Who knows? Quite often, your club has to win the Champions League or your country has to win the World Cup or something. But he’s a fine player.

Havertz vs Gyökeres

Well, the way Gyökeres is playing, he’s tried to stick with him, Arteta, because he’s spent a lot of money, and he wants him to succeed. He doesn’t have to succeed because people like Havertz are there; Jesus can come in. But when Havertz is up and running, that’s an option.

If Gyökeres keeps playing how he is. He’ll drop out of the side because he’s struggling. He really is. So, it’ll be good to have that kind of option when he does come back.

Prediction

I’m going to go 2-0 to the Gunners.

Arsenal 2 – 0 Portsmouth

Arne Slot Under Pressure

I don’t think it’s out of the question that he could lose his job. Definitely, if things keep going as they are. I know they’ve been on this unbeaten run. But it has been underwhelming. And he will be under pressure, whether he won the league last year or not. The hierarchy will be looking at those performances and results. So, he needs to turn things around quickly.

Top Four Chances

They’re in a position to secure top four. It could be five positions as well, couldn’t it, for the Champions League. But in terms of finishing fourth, because you think at the moment, you’re looking at Arsenal, Man City and Aston Villa. Certainly, Villa, that could change.

But I think Liverpool have still got a good chance. Chelsea under Liam Rosenior, who knows how they’re going to do. It might be quite a close race, but it would be pretty disastrous for Liverpool if they didn’t get Champions League football.

Isak and Salah Injuries

When they were both available, they weren’t firing on all cylinders. But now, Ekitike had an injury the other day, but I think he’ll probably be back. But you’re going to miss players like Isak and Salah, whatever you say about Salah’s form. You’re going to miss somebody like him. And of course, Isak’s out long term now, so they’re just going to have to find a way. Wirtz got on the score sheet at Fulham, and Ekitike is a goal scorer, so they need to lean on those kinds of players now.

Transfer Window Priorities

Well, they need a centre-half, don’t they, desperately? They’re so short in that area. Konaté continues to look a little bit unsteady. So, you’d think central defence would be the priority. As to whether they can get somebody of that quality, we’ll have to see. Guehi nearly went there, didn’t he? And I’m sure they’d love to get him in, but now it looks like he’s going to go to City.

Prediction

Barnsley are not in great form. It’s about survival, really, in League One for them. So, I’m going to go 2-0 to Liverpool.

Liverpool 2 – 0 Barnsley

Next Manager

Fascinating, they have made a few mistakes along the way, haven’t they? You need somebody with stature and preferably a track record. So you’re looking at some of those big characters. In the summer, international managers sometimes drop away from those country jobs. Who knows what Thomas Tuchel will do? If the Man United job is an offer, we’ll see. But people like that.

But more domestically, Glasner at Palace. Is he going to stay at Selhurst Park? Iraola, I think, will be leaving Bournemouth. He’s the type of coach I think could play the Manchester United way. And he’s destined for bigger things, with all due respect to Bournemouth. So, a big, big one. Eddie Howe said he’s at Newcastle, but who knows? So, we’ll watch this space.

Pascal Groß Signing

It came out of nowhere a little bit. I don’t think it’s emotional. There’ll be reasons behind it because they’re very astute, Brighton, in terms of their recruitment. I think it’s probably his influence in the dressing room as much as anything, and around the club. And I wouldn’t be surprised to see him go on the coaching staff.

So it’s probably his personality as much as anything else. Of course, it’s another body for them and somebody who knows this league. I didn’t see it coming, but it’s probably more long-term and what he goes on to do at Brighton on the coaching side.

Prediction

A tight one. Man Utd pushed all the way by Burnley last night. I think it might end up 1-1.

Manchester United 1 – 1 Brighton

Marc Guehi Transfer

I think it is very important that they do get somebody in. A bit like Liverpool, but City have got those defensive injuries. But Guehi would be a great signing, and that would hurt Liverpool. But ready-made fit. Somebody who can come in and play on the left side of the two.

He’s turned into a really good international player as well. So, it’d be bad news for everybody else if they get Guehi and they get Semenyo as well; there’d be two fantastic signings.

Prediction

A bit like Barnsley, the priority would be survival in the league. I’m going to go 3-0 to City.

Manchester City 3 – 0 Exeter

Scott Parker’s Position

It wouldn’t help him if they lost here. Obviously, it would be an upset of sorts. But Millwall, riding quite high in the Championship and there might be a shock on the cards here. He hasn’t got enough quality, Scott Parker, to stay up. What are they now? Eight points adrift. So, you can’t see them staying up.

Who knows what the hierarchy thinks about it, but that would be a bit of a blow to lose to Millwall. But I think they might do. I think this might be one of the cup shocks. I’ve got it 2-1 to the away team.

Burnley 1 – 2 Millwall

Leeds Form

They are one of the hardest teams to beat in the league currently. They’re very athletic, physical, getting the ball forward, and scoring goals. So, lost out to a last-gasp goal last night. But they’re in a great position now, and it’s been good to see, hasn’t it, them and Sunderland giving it a really good go.

At one stage, it looked like Daniel Farke was going to lose his job and they were struggling, but they really came good.

Prediction

I’m actually going to go to Derby. I think they might nick a 1-0 win, Derby.

Derby 1 – 0 Leeds

Sunderland’s Success

Surprised, certainly, the way they came up, and I don’t think anybody saw this coming. So many new additions, you’re thinking, oh, it’s going to be really hard to get them all into a cohesive starting 11, but he’s done that brilliantly, so to have 30 points now, they are practically 16 points above the drop zone, so they can afford to have a really bad patch and still keep their heads above water. So it’s good news for the Premier League, without question.

Prediction

Quite tight. I’m going to go 2-2 for that.

Everton 2 – 2 Sunderland

Jarrod Bowen to Newcastle

Well, he could do a job. He’s a fine player. Elanga’s still not firing in a Newcastle shirt. Bowen looks kind of tied to West Ham. Whenever he scores, he punches the badge and that. And I know we’ve seen that many times before, but he captains the side, and he feels a strong allegiance.

But who knows if the offer were to come in and how West Ham would deal with that. You can’t see West Ham letting him go. They’re already really unhappy. But it’d be a great signing to get for Newcastle.

Prediction

A few goals in this, 3-2 to Newcastle.

Newcastle 3 – 2 Bournemouth

Tottenham vs Aston Villa

I think the woes are going to continue for Spurs. They went a goal up at Bournemouth and managed to lose in the end. I think Villa will nick it 2-1.

Tottenham 1 – 2 Aston Villa

Chelsea vs Charlton

Liam Rosenior’s first game in charge. It’ll be a really good atmosphere at Stamford Bridge. I think now we’re going to have 3-0 winners.

Chelsea 3 – 0 Charlton