Third round recap and fourth round preview
As we proceed to the fourth round proper, I would like to start with an update as to my third-round success. Despite mixed results on replays, I was able to pick 19 out of 32 ties correctly, the same as last year. Of course, I missed on some giant-killings, notably Lincoln City’s 1-0 replay upset of Ipswich Town. Though to be fair, who would’ve thought that the Imps, let alone Sutton United, would BOTH represent the National League in the next round? Indeed, perhaps the fall of AFC Wimbledon at home was just as shocking, although Sutton benefited from a sending-off fifteen minutes in.
The two Level 5 teams to win are the most non-league teams to make it this far since 2013, when Wigan Athletic won it all, only to get relegated three days later. Could it happen again? I think not, as I expect both Crystal Palace and Hull City--the two surviving teams in the Premier League relegation zone--to fall either this weekend or in replays. On the other hand, there are some tantalizing prospects for the first team from below the top flight to win it all since West Ham in 1980 to emerge. The possibilities I restrict to the Championship since all Cup winners since Tottenham in 1901 have come from the top two divisions. Without further ado, they are Derby County, Newcastle United, Leeds United, Brighton and Hove Albion, Huddersfield Town, Blackburn Rovers and Fulham. These seven teams have favourable matchups, whether against teams lower in the football pyramid or against struggling teams from higher up. Incidentally, the first of these teams play on my birthday, 27 January, against Leicester City. Good luck to all the teams who’ve made it this far!