Struggling EPL clubs facing tough League Two squads
Third round of FA Cup could produce an upset or two, writes Bob Lenarduzzi.
The FA Cup is in full swing this weekend as the third round kicked off Friday.
Unfortunately, not a single non-league side has made it to the third round. It’s the first time that’s happened in 67 years.
There are three clashes between League Two and Premier League sides, all happening today. In all three cases it’s a struggling team from the top flight facing a successful lower league club, so we could witness an upset or two.
First off, we have Exeter City, seventh in League Two, hosting West Bromwich Albion, a team stuck at the foot of the table, level on points with Swansea. Albion hasn’t won a game in eight tries since Alan Pardew took over in November. The opposing manager, Paul Tisdale, has been in charge at Exeter since 2006. Only Arsenal’s Arsene Wenger has held his job longer.
Also today, Coventry City hosts Stoke, where under-fire manager Mark Hughes faces daily questions as to how long he will remain in charge. Coventry is third in League Two with a stingy defence, so this is a tricky game for Stoke.
Finally we have Newcastle United hosting League Two leaders Luton Town. Newcastle’s inconsistent form could leave the team vulnerable against a Luton side that scores goals in bunches.
CUP RUNS
The first leg of the League Cup semifinals is next week, starting on Tuesday as giant Manchester City hosts giant killer Bristol City.
Bristol has knocked off four Premier League sides, including Manchester United. However, the Championship contenders have gone a bit off the boil, losing 5-0 to Aston Villa on New Year’s Day.
On Wednesday, meanwhile, is the big London derby between Chelsea and Arsenal. This is a rematch of this week’s entertaining Premier League clash between the two, which ended 2-2 thanks to a dramatic injurytime equalizer from young Arsenal fullback Hector Bellerin.
With all the fixtures we’ve had over the holidays, expect both sides to field a number of secondstringers.
DERBY DAY
The Spanish league resumes today, starting with a Madrid derby, as Atletico hosts Getafe. Atletico is in second place and is welcoming back striker Diego Costa. He transferred back to his old club from Chelsea last year, but couldn’t be registered to play until now.
Costa saw action Wednesday, subbing on in Atletico’s 4-0 Spanish Cup win over Lleida Esportiu.
Costa did exactly what one might expect, scoring with his first touch minutes after entering the game, and injuring himself in the process. He’s nursing a knock on the knee, but could be available today. Atletico is in second place, nine points behind Barcelona.
Meanwhile, eighth-place Getafe is having a respectable season. There’s nothing respectable, though, about the club’s record in this derby. Since Diego Simeone took over at Atletico in 2011, Getafe has not scored a single goal against the team in 11 tries, being outscored 23-0 in the process.
WEAH’S WAY
The final days of 2017 saw history made in the African country of Liberia, where former national team star George Weah was elected the country’s president.
Weah was one of the greatest players to come out of Africa, rising from the slums of Monrovia to enjoy great success in Europe, particularly with AC Milan. A couple years after he retired, Weah jumped into politics, unsuccessfully running for president in 2005.
Criticized for a lack of experience and education, he kept at it, and was finally elected to the senate in 2014. His grassroots popularity led to his big election win just after Christmas, earning more than 60 per cent of the vote. He takes office Jan. 16.
Weah isn’t the first soccer player to get into politics. For example, former Barcelona star Romario is a senator in his native Brazil.
Back in the ’80s, after the North American Soccer League folded, I was invited to run for office, both provincially and federally. I politely declined.