FA Cup / Andrew French / 07 January 2008 /

Andrew French talks us through the key clashes the fourth round draw of the FA Cup has thrown up

Surely, for all football romantics, there is only one tie that we really want to see after today's fourth round draw.

No disrespect to anyone connected with Luton or Swansea, but the prospect of Liverpool [5.5] v Havant and Waterlooville brings back memories of Sutton United beating Coventry and Hereford seeing off Newcastle.

Of course, with a couple of either/or's standing in the way this classic tie may not materialise. But it gives next week's replays some added spice.

The rest of the big four received mixed blessings. Regardless of whether Newcastle see off Stoke in the replay, Arsenal [4.7] will be confident of progressing when they meet the winners of that game at the Emirates.

There are easier places to travel to than Wigan but Chelsea will still be favourites, while another all-Premiership tie will take place at Old Trafford with United [4.6] hosting the winners of the Tottenham [28.0] v Reading [140.0] replay.

With potentially three all-Premiership ties in the Fourth Round, and a clutch of high-profile exits already, there will only be a maximum of eight teams from the top flight left at the Fifth Round stage: half the teams in the last 16 will be from the lower leagues.

Even then, Derby have to overcome a replay at Sheffield Wednesday just to earn a home tie with Preston, while Middlesbrough face another potential banana skin at Mansfield having survived one possible giantkilling act at Bristol City in the Third Round.

Meanwhile, the winners of the West Ham/Man City [22.0] replay face a tough trip to Sheffield United, semi-finalists in 2003.

If there were rewards for knocking out glamorous opposition then both Oldham (who won at Everton) and Huddersfield (conquerors of Birmingham) would have been given a far more appetising tie than facing each other at Boundary Park.

Roy Hodgson's early days at Fulham are throwing up plenty of potential for humiliation. The Craven Cottage club have to travel to Bristol Rovers for a replay after a 2-2 draw on Sunday, and they will then face a trip to either Swindon or Barnet in the Fourth Round.

The draw in full:

Arsenal v Stoke or Newcastle
Coventry v Walsall or Millwall
Oldham v Huddersfield
Swindon or Barnet v Fulham or Bristol Rovers
Wigan v Chelsea
Luton or Liverpool v Swansea or Havant & Waterlooville
Southend v Barnsley
Southampton v Norwich or Bury
Man Utd v Tottenham or Reading
Portsmouth v Plymouth
Derby or Sheffield Wednesday v Preston
Watford v Wolves
Peterborough v Charlton or West Brom
Sheffield United v West Ham or Man City
Mansfield v Middlesbrough
Tranmere or Huddersfield v Cardiff

(Tie to be played weekend of January 26 and 27).

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