Alan Shearer’s FA Cup predictions including Arsenal vs Wigan and Hull vs Chelsea | Football

The Premier League takes a back seat this weekend, with the FA Cup fourth round taking center stage.

Manchester United were among those to fall at the first hurdle, alongside title holders Crystal Palace who were stunned by Macclesfield in the third round.

The sixth-tier side want to cause another shock by welcoming another Premier League side in Brentford.

Chelsea kick off the action this evening with Liam Rosenior taking on one of his former clubs, Hull City.

Manchester City host Salford City in a tasty draw on Saturday, with Arsenal looking to avoid a mistake at home to Wigan Athletic.

England legend and Betfair ambassador Alan Shearer takes us through some of his FA Cup predictions for Metro.

Macclesfield v Brentford

Can Macclesfield continue their FA Cup killing streak? Probably not with the form Brentford are in and the way Keith Andrews has made them play, but it will be difficult. There’s always a remarkable result over the course of a weekend and Brentford need to make sure it’s not that one.

It’s great to see Macclesfield doing well because for other teams you’re out of your comfort zone, you’re in a totally different environment.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle

It’s a great game. I assume both sides will make some changes. Newcastle looked much better at Spurs in midweek. Eddie Howe changed the situation again, he left the two attackers aside. Three if you include Osula and it worked better. There was more energy and Newcastle were more threatening in the forward positions.

They have to try to maintain that. It’s a tough race for Newcastle. They have Tuesday night, Saturday night, then go to Azerbaijan to play the Champions League, which is also a huge game. So difficult times for Newcastle players. It will be tough at Aston Villa, they are having a brilliant season, occupying third position in the Premier League. But it’s something very different, I suppose.

Form often goes out the window in this competition. This is why it is so difficult to predict. Normally, if it was a championship match, I would leave with a draw, but that is clearly not possible. I will stay with Newcastle to progress to the next round.

Liverpool vs Brighton

I guess Liverpool are having a tough time compared to what they are used to and there were boos last week. I was really impressed with their presence at Sunderland and handling the game the way they did. We know how hard it is out there. I thought the way they defended, Konate and Van Dijk were superb. We haven’t said it enough this season.

They were a bit unlucky last weekend against Man City. But I think Liverpool will continue their winning streak and move on to the next round because, as far as I know, they haven’t played a game next week, so I think they will go as hard as they can.

Brighton know that Liverpool are under huge pressure to try and win something this season, so they will try to use that to their advantage. But it’s a big ask.

Hull v Chelsea

I guess it all depends on what Rosenior wants most. Whether he wants to protect and solidify his bid for a place in the Premier League or playoffs, which they currently find themselves in, or whether he wants a run in the FA Cup.

I guess we’ll find out which team he’s fielding. This is a big dilemma for him. I assume they are at home and live on the BBC, there will be a big crowd there. So it’s one of those games where you would think the atmosphere would be great and it would be really difficult for Chelsea. But I think the number of players they can bring in and rest, I suppose, for Chelsea, so I still think they’ll have too many for Hull.

Man City v Salford

Man City are in great form and Guardiola will be a game-changer and he will give players games that haven’t played much. But that said, they will have enough to beat Salford.

Arsenal v Wigan

Again, I think Mikel Arteta will be a game changer with players who didn’t play against Brentford. He’ll put them in there, I guess. And again, there will be a story this weekend, but I don’t think it will be that one. I think it will be Arsenal who will go through.

Grimsby vs Wolves

If Grimsby show the same appetite as against Man United in the Carabao Cup and the same know-how, then who’s to say they can’t get a result? But often these results go the Premier League side’s way when they are really struggling at the bottom of the ladder as Wolves have been under enormous pressure. They might like a little of the pressure taken off of them. I would say the Wolves will win, period.

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