PREVIEW: WEEKEND ENGLISH ACTION Friday, January 26, 2007
Brad Friedel and Rovers will look to continue their fine tournament play when they travel to face tricky FA Cup foe Luton, while Reading visit Premiership aspirants Birmingham in the same draw.
Luton Town - Blackburn
Blackburn hit the FA Cup road with familiar obstacle Luton Town directly in their path on Saturday.
Rovers have not won in 20 prior trips to Luton, and the hosts hold a 2-0 advantage in FA Cup clashes.
The visitors are without Andre Ooijer and Robbie Savage, but Ryan Nelsen and Jason Roberts could return.
Meanwhile, Luton are crossing their fingers tightly over Ahmet Brkovic and netminder Marlon Beresford.
Birmingham City - Reading
Bobby Convey is slated for a return to the line-up when the Royals travel to Championship title contenders Birmingham on Saturday.
Marcus Hahnemann will cede his goalkeeping duties to back-up Adam Federici, while Reading cannot count on Kevin Doyle, Brynjar Gunnarsson and Dave Kitson.
The Brummies will bring Rahdi Jaidi back fro suspension, while fresh recruit Rowan Vine is cup-tied.
This will be the first ever meeting between the clubs in any competition.
Fulham - Stoke City
The Cottagers do battle with another Championship contender in FA Cup action after squeaking past Leicester in the third round.
Clint Dempsey is in the running for healthy minutes after making his Fulham debut last weekend, but probably won't join Carlos Bocanegra and Brian McBride in the line-up as fellow new signing Simon Davies should get the start.
Stoke, meanwhile, should give a debut to January catch Lee Martin.
Fulham pulled the double over their visitors when they last met in the 1998/99 season, but have never faced Stoke in the FA Cup.
West Ham United - Watford
Jay DeMerit looks set to rejoin the starting eleven when the Hornets visit Jonathan Spector and West Ham on Saturday.
The Yank center back should replace injury victim Danny Shittu, while Spector also eyes a starting nod with the Hammers short of defenders.
Anton Ferdinand, Calum Davenport and Danny Gabbidon are unavailable to Alan Curbishley, who is also missing strikers Dean Ashton, Marlon Harewood and Carlos Tevéz through injury.
Watford remain without front man Marlon King, while captain Gavin Mahon faces a late fitness check.
The teams played to a 1-1 Vicarage Road share earlier in the league season, but West Ham have advanced two of the three times they've crossed paths in the FA Cup.
Manchester City - Southampton
With Claudio Reyna now gone, Citeh host Southampton in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
DaMarcus Beasley is pushing for the start, but Trevor Sinclair replaces Joey Barton on the suspended list.
The Saints arrive without the services of Djamel Belmadi, Nathan Dyer and Michael Svensson, while Rudi Skacel is doubtful.
Manchester City took the only FA Cup meeting between the two way back in 1910, but have only one win in the last five visits from Southampton.
Wolverhampton - West Bromwich Albion
Wolves hope to extend a rude welcome to West Midlands rivals West Brom on Saturday.
Jemal Johnson will likely provide bench support, but Jay Bothroyd, Jody Craddock and Jackie McNamara may miss out altogether.
West Brom this week placed netminder Russel Hoult on club suspension, putting Luke Daniels and Pascal Zuberbuhler in direct competition for the weekend nod.
The Baggies return John Hartson and Jason Koumas from league bans, while veteran defender Steve Watson is back from injury.
Wolverhampton only have one victory to show for 10 previous FA Cup derbies with WBA.
Notes
Johann Smith will not feature when Bolton tackle visiting Arsenal in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Sunday.
Injured defender Zak Whitbread is not available for Millwall's Saturday trip to Scunthorpe.
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