FA Cup Fourth Round Preview: Rochdale missing key men

In the FA Cup this weekend, we see a repeat of the 2003 final when Southampton play Arsenal. Wycombe relish a memorable trip to White Hart Lane while Rochdale and Huddersfield hope to continue their league fortunes in the cup…

Rochdale v Huddersfield

Both teams are punching above their financial weight in their respective divisions. Rochdale’s promotion prospects have been hindered by back-to-back defeats, the second of which a 4-0 thrashing at home to Oxford. Dale have a small squad which means they tend to miss key players, Keith Keane, Joe Bunney and Matty Lund among the notable absentees last time out. Huddersfield have picked up 33 points from 15 games against bottom half opposition in the Championship, which suggests they are comfortable against the lesser sides. 1-3

Tottenham v Wycombe

Wycombe needed a late header from Adebayo Akinfenwa to see off lower league Stourbridge in the previous round. Now, they change roles from brutal heartbreakers to plucky underdogs in their first short trip to White Hart Lane. Hosts Tottenham have scored nine goals in their last two FA Cup games against Football League opposition, which both saw fringe players shine. Spurs will almost certainly progress, though visiting centre-backs Aaron Pierre and Anthony Stewart have done enough to suggest they can limit the damage. 2-0

Southampton v Arsenal

These two teams met in the FA Cup final back in 2003, when a solitary Robert Pires goal was enough to secure victory for Arsenal. The Gunners have won this competition on average once every three years since 1998, but they are lucky to remain in it this term. Arsene Wenger’s side saw their goal peppered in the first half at Preston, but won 2-1 thanks to Olivier Giroud’s late goal. Southampton also relied on a late winner to see off Norwich, Shane Long netting a 92nd minute strike in a quiet replay at St Marys. 1-2