Arsenal v Hull City
- FA Cup fifth round
- Saturday, February 20th
- Kick-off: 12:45 GMT
- The Emirates, north London
- Live on BT Sport 2
Arsenal host Hull in repeat of 2014 cup final
In a repeat of the 2014 final at Wembley, Arsene Wenger’s back-to-back FA Cup champions Arsenal will welcome Hull City at the Emirates for their fifth round encounter, with the hosts having not lost in this fixture in 11 consecutive meetings.
The Gunners overturned an early 2-0 deficit in that final match-up two years ago to end their previous baron silverware run, then toppled the Tigers once more last season on their way to retaining the trophy.
In the latest clash, Steve Bruce’s visitors arrive in north London on the back of fine Championship form, having stormed to the summit, and they are 11/2 with Coral to stun Arsenal, while the Gunners are 3/1 to prevail with both sides getting on the scoresheet (£20 max stake).
Wenger and Bruce do battle again
Gunners boss Wenger will be confident of once again overcoming the Yorkshire club but knows he will be setting his side up against a strong outfit this time around.
“We play them every year in the FA Cup! We know them well and they are in a strong position in the Championship. We will play a strong side. A normal side,” said long-serving boss Wenger.
Although, Arsenal may well make some changes to their side, having become involved in a tense Premier League title race, potentially giving the Tigers hope of gaining only a second fixture win since 1915.
Bruce backs loanee Powell to have impact
Hull captured Manchester United starlet Nick Powell on loan during the January transfer window, with Bruce having used his Old Trafford connections for business again, and he confirmed that the youngster will feature on Saturday, when the forward is 6/1 to open his Tigers account anytime.
“He will have a big part to play in the coming weeks. I’ve told him that. He’s versatile and can play as a striker or as a midfielder and I’m sure he can give us that bit of impetus,” outlined Bruce.
“He’ll definitely play on Saturday, as will all of the ones who haven’t been playing recently.
“Making changes is the only option I’ve got.”
“Making changes is the only option I’ve got. After Arsenal, we play again on Tuesday and then Friday so I have to make sure we’re fresh enough to compete in those games as well.”
French frontman Olivier Giroud may be involved again for the hosts and is 9/2 to fire his side to victory (£20 max), while recently returned striker Danny Welbeck is 4/1 to strike the game’s last goal after his last-gasp winner over Leicester City.
For the visiting second tier challengers, their main danger man Abel Hernandez is 9/1 to open proceedings, with his teammate and former Celtic attacker Shaun Maloney is 5/1 to find the target anytime during this weekend’s early FA Cup kick-off.
Bournemouth v Everton
- FA Cup fifth round
- Saturday, February 20th
- Kick-off: 17:15 GMT
- Dean Court, Bournemouth
- Live on BBC One
Cherries clash with Everton in fifth round
Everton enter their fifth round clash with Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth hoping to banish memories of their domestic collapse in the previous meeting at Dean Court, though the Merseysiders should be confident having never lost to the south coast side.
Roberto Martinez’s Toffees were held to a 3-3 Premier League draw in November, with Junior Stanislas bagging a 98th-minute equaliser to secure a Cherries comeback, and another stalemate is 23/10 to occur this time around, which would result in a replay.
The Cherries have lost back-to-back games to Arsenal and Stoke City before this cup clash, while Everton have won three of their last four, making the visiting Toffees 10/3 to triumph with both teams finding the target.
Lukaku out to continue form
In that most-recent match-up, Romelu Lukaku was among the goals as usual, having now racked up 20 strikes for the current campaign, and the towering Belgian hitman is 5/1 to dispatch a double or more.
England international playmaker Ross Barkley also starred in that thrilling stalemate and is 2/1 strike again anytime, while Cherries threat Lewis Grabban is 7/4 to grab a goal, with his fellow attacker Juan Iturbe 11/4 for scoring success.
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