FA Cup / Mike Norman / 28 January 2008 /

Mike Norman cast his eye over this afternoon's FA Cup Draw and explains why it has a fair amount of historical significance. No prizes for picking out the headline fixture.

For the first time in over 50 years, exactly 16 teams were entered into the hat for the FA Cup fifth round draw, as no replays were required from the previous round. With the elimination of Havant & Waterlooville at the weekend, the romance of the cup lost its last remaining hope, and the business end of the competition is about to get underway.

Despite there being only six teams from the Premiership remaining in the competition, a lot of FA Cup history still exists. No fewer than 13 previous winners still have hopes of adding to their honours list, while only Middlesbrough, Bristol Rovers and Barnsley are looking to win this great piece of silverware for the first time.

The feeling of inevitability about the 'Big Four' being kept apart thankfully didn't materialise when Manchester United [4.4] were drawn at home to Arsenal [7.2] to produce the tie of the round, though I'm not sure Sir Alex had this in mind when he said his only wish is to get a home tie.

Thoughts immediately spring back to that classic semi-final back in 1999 when United won 2-1 in the replay, thanks to a wonder goal from Ryan Giggs -

https://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EgHi3D7OjNs

Arsene Wenger will no doubt cast his mind back to the last time these giants played in round five - the year was 2003, and Arsenal went to Old Trafford and recorded a memorable 2-0 victory thanks to goals from Edu and Sylvain Wiltord. Can they repeat this feat?

Elsewhere in the draw, Chelsea [3.4] and Liverpool [5.2] were handed easy looking ties against Huddersfield [600.0] and Barnsley [410.0] respectively. It's impossible to see either team slipping up, meaning three of the Big Four will still be present in the quarter-finals. However, in the Big Four [1.17] v The Field [6.2] market, the prices have remained unchanged following the draw.

No doubt an upset will be expected at Brammall Lane when Bryan Robson's Sheffield United [100.0] host his former club Middlesbrough [27.0], for whom he played and managed during one of Boro's most exciting periods, leading them to an FA Cup Final in 1997.

The lowest ranked team in the competition are Bristol Rovers [280.0], and I dare say there would have been mixed feelings about their home tie against managerless Southampton [90.0]. On one hand, Paul Trollope's men will be disappointed at not getting a glamour tie, but on the other they now have a fantastic opportunity to reach the quarter-final by beating the Saints at the Memorial Stadium.

Remarkably for two famous teams, Cardiff [110.0] haven't played Wolves [110.0] in the FA Cup since 1921. Cardiff manager Dave Jones faces the club he recently managed in what should be a fiery and entertaining encounter. Just a few months back, four times FA Cup winners Wolves went to Ninian Park and recorded a hard fought 3-2 victory.

Of the two remaining ties Portsmouth [11.5] are presented with a good opportunity to carry on their excellent away form by seeing off lowly Championship side Preston [150.0], while a mouthwatering Midlands derby can be seen at the Ricoh Arena when Iain Dowie's Coventry City [130.0] entertain Tony Mowbray's West Brom [60.0]. The two last met in the in FA Cup back in 1995, City needing a replay before running out 2-1 winners.

Overall the draw presents a few lower teams a good opportunity to progress further, while there is still the glamour of United v Arsenal, Ferguson v Wenger, a local derby, potential upsets and a manager facing his old club.

In the 'Outright Winner' market, United have drifted to [4.4] from the [3.85] that was available a few minutes before the draw, and are no longer favourites. That tag goes to Chelsea who were available at [4.5] at 1pm, but now trade significantly less at [3.4]. Of the other Premiership teams, Liverpool, Portsmouth and Middlesbrough now trade less than they did at lunch time, due to the fact they have been handed ties against lower league opposition, while Arsenal have drifted dramatically with the knowledge that they have to go to Old Trafford.

FA Cup Fifth Round draw in full:

Bristol Rovers v Southampton
Cardiff City v Wolverhampton Wanderers
Sheffield United v Middlesbrough
Liverpool v Barnsley
Manchester United v Arsenal
Preston North End v Portsmouth
Coventry City v West Bromwich Albion
Chelsea v Huddersfield Town

(Ties to be played Saturday 17th & Sunday 18th February)

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