TFLP SWANS AND LIONS ARE UP FOR THE CUP
EFL duo Swansea and Millwall are relishing the chance to take on Premier League opposition at home in the FA Cup quarter-finals.
The Swans demolished fellow Championship outfit Brentford 4-1 to line up a mouthwatering tie against reigning Premier League champions Manchester City at the Liberty.
Swansea lost by an aggregate score of 9-0 from their two Premier League games against City last season before they were condemned to relegation to the Championship, but boss Potter, who took over last summer, is not daunted by the upcoming clash.
“Your initial thought when the draw is made is that it is as tough as you can get in terms of progressing,” he said, “but, at the same time, it is a fantastic challenge.
“We are facing the best game you can get when we speak about the players testing themselves and dreaming about what they can possibly achieve.
“We are really excited, we are playing against as good a team as there is in world football.
“Of course we will do our very best to win, but you have to respect the opposition and understand they are so, so good and – in the Premier League and Champions League – they are operating a level above where we are.”
The tie will be live on BT Sport on Saturday, March 16 (5.20pm).
Meanwhile, Millwall are looking forward to hosting Chris Hughton’s Brighton after their 1-0 victory at AFC Wimbledon last week, courtesy of Murray Wallace’s early goal.
The Lions, who knocked out Premier League Everton in round four, will fancy their chances of giving the Seagulls a run for their money and earning a trip to Wembley.
Lions boss Neil Harris told the South London
Press: “It will certainly be a cracking atmosphere. Brighton fans travel really well and get behind their team. It is a huge occasion – the quarter-finals of the best competition in the world. The Den will be rocking. We saw what it was like against Everton – it will be exactly the same for Brighton. It is something the players can look forward to nearer the time.”
The game is live on BBC One on Sunday, March 17 (2pm).
There are two all-Premier League ties – Watford host Crystal Palace (12.15pm, BT Sport) and Wolves face Manchester United (7.55pm, BBC One), both on the Saturday.