The last international break of the season is over, but we don’t instantly return to Premier League action as the quarter finals of the F.A Cup are imminent.
Wembley is in in sight 8 clubs, let’s see who we think will get there in our F.A Cup acca.
Fulham vs 
Crystal Palace
Details: Saturday, March 29th, 12.15 pm, Craven Cottage
We start with a London derby on the Thames in the early kick-off on Saturday. Fulham go into this game buoyed by 2-0 home win over Spurs before the international break. That result left them just four points outside of the top four and a European place a very realistic possibility. Of course, they will also earn a European spot if they win the cup, and with so many big-hitters already out why shouldn’t Fulham fancy their chances. Being at home in this one could be huge.
Palace are in tremendous form, with four straight wins in all competitions heading into this game. They will also be boosted by the news that striker Jean-Philippe Mateta should be fit to start, after suffering a gruesome injury in the previous round against Millwall. Oliver Glasner has really got his team ticking in the second half of the season, and, like Fulham, they will see this as a massive opportunity to win some silverware.
This is such a tough game to call, two teams in form, so I am going to go for the home side to edge it.
Fulham to win @ 13/10
Brighton vs 
Nottingham Forest
Details: Saturday, March 29th, 5.15 pm, AMEX Stadium
Another tie between two teams who are having very good seasons. Brighton are right in the hunt for a top four finish and you have to say what a first season it has been for manager Fabian Hürzeler. It has quietly gone under the radar that this is his first season in England and he has Brighton fighting for Europe and in the quarters of the F.A Cup. They showed their class at Man City before the international break, where they got a point in a pulsating 2-2 draw but probably deserved to win.
I think I have used up every superlative to describe the season Nottingham Forest are having. It feels like a lot of us are waiting for a drop off from them but there is just no sign of it. They put Ipswich to the sword in their last game, scoring 4 goals on the road and their momentum just continues. This could yet turn into one of the best seasons in the club’s recent history, it is well on the way to becoming that already.
Two teams, in form, this is a really difficult call again. I am going for a draw after 90 minutes.
Draw @ 13/5
Bournemouth 
vs Man City
Details: Sunday, March 30th, 6.30 pm, Vitality Stadium
Bournemouth have been one of the most exciting teams to watch this season, and it will be interesting to see if they can keep hold of their manager over the summer. For now, though, attention turns to a home date with Man City and a chance to reach Wembley and the F.A Cup semi-finals. They will want to get the bitter taste of defeat out of their mouths, still reeling from a 2-1 home loss to Brentford two weeks ago, and a win in this one would certainly do that and more.
City are the big favourites to win the cup now, with only really Aston Villa left of what you would call the ‘bigger’ clubs in the league. That in itself brings its own pressure and we know this hasn’t been the usual City we have become accustomed to seeing this season under Pep. Still, they have that winning experience and that could prove to be huge in these types of games.
I don’t think it will be comfortable, but I think City will just edge it.
City to win @ 6/5
F.A Cup Acca
The other tie in at this stage is Villa at Preston, but the odds are so in Villa’s favour there is little value there. These are three really tough games to call, and I can put a case forward for all winning if I am honest. They could all really go down to the wire, so hopefully we are in for an exciting weekend.
If you want to work out the payout for your own acca, you can use our free accumulator odds calculator.
