Cardiff In The Cup

James · January 24, 2010

The stand-out draw of the tie, however, is to be the South Coast derby between Southampton and Portsmouth, with the Saints the only League One team definitely into the final sixteen of the competition.

Leeds United could have another potential Premier League scalp should they beat Tottenham in their replay at Eland Road, and there could also be a Birmingham derby should Wolverhampton Wanderers beat Crystal Palace.

In-form Birmingham City have been rewarded with a trip to Championship side Derby County in what should be an interesting clash between Midlands opposition, and Stoke’s 3-1 win over Arsenal sees them face Roberto Mancini’s Manchester City at the City of Manchester Stadium for a place in the Quarter Finals.

The full draw is:

Southampton v Portsmouth

Reading v West Bromwich Albion

Fulham v Notts County or Wigan Athletic

Chelsea v Cardiff City

Bolton Wanderers v Tottenham Hotspur or Leeds United

Derby County v Birmingham City

Manchester City v Stoke City

Wolverhampton Wanderers or Crystal Palace v Aston Villa

Chelsea will be favourites to progress having dispatched Championship sides Watford and Preston 5-0 and 2-0 respectively already this campaign. Interestingly, the Blues faced just two Premier League sides in their FA Cup triumph last season – Arsenal and Everton – as they won the competition, and a similar run this season shows the Blues certainly have earned the luck of the FA Cup draw.