The Premier League takes a break this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre stage. The 5th round sees some real David v Goliath encounters, as Crawley travel to Old Trafford to face Manchester United in the battle of the Red Devils. Elsewhere, Chelsea host Everton at Stamford Bridge in a tasty-looking all-Premiership tie, as Carlo Ancelotti and David Moyes look for something to cheer. There is also a nearly full list of fixtures in the Championship, while Celtic and Rangers go head-to-head in the Old Firm derby in the SPL. Here are the predictions from the newspaper journos…
Shaun Custis:
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Andy Dunn:
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Football Writers’ Association Predictions – Week 29
February standings
1. Des Kelly – 17 (4)
2. Shaun Custis – 15 (7)
3. Martin Lipton – 13 (4)
4. Glenn Moore – 13 (5)
5. Patrick Barclay – 12 (3)
6. Andy Dunn – 12 (3)
7. Steve Bates – 11 (2)
–
Overall standings
1. Steve Bates – 131
2. Shaun Custis – 130
3. Martin Lipton – 127
4. Des Kelly – 123
5. Glenn Moore – 122
6. Andy Dunn – 119
7. Patrick Barclay – 112
Patrick Barclay (The Times)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
D
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
H
Ipswich
V
Hull
A
Leeds
V
Norwich
D
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
D
Scunthorpe v Derby: Precious point for Clough.
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Des Kelly (Daily Mail)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
H
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
H
Ipswich
V
Hull
H
Leeds
V
Norwich
H
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
D
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
A
LEEDS V NORWICH – Very little to separate these two promotion hopefuls, but Leeds are on a superb run of current form with just win in 18 League games. That and home advantage should see them shade it.
Shaun Custis (The Sun)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
D
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
H
Ipswich
V
Hull
H
Leeds
V
Norwich
D
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
A
West Ham v Burnley: It depends somewhat on how strong the team line-ups are but even West Ham should have enough strength in depth to win this one.
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Andy Dunn (News of the World)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
H
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
D
Ipswich
V
Hull
H
Leeds
V
Norwich
H
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
A
Chelsea v Everton. Suddenly, there is a lot riding on this game with both teams looking to find a welcome distraction from their league struggles (albeit in different sections of the PL). Expect Chelsea to overcome an Everton side shorn of self-belief.
Martin Lipton (The Mirror)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
H
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
D
Ipswich
V
Hull
D
Leeds
V
Norwich
A
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
H
Preston v QPR: QPR look like a Premier League team in waiting while Phil Brown has struggled to make much impact at Deepdale. Three more comfortable points for Neil Warnock.
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Steve Bates (The People)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
H
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
A
Celtic
V
Rangers
H
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
D
Ipswich
V
Hull
H
Leeds
V
Norwich
D
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
D
Celtic v Rangers: The Old Firm games have been nip and tuck this season but I’m tipping Neil Lennon’s bhoys to do the business this time.
Glenn Moore (The Independent)
Home Team
Away Team
Chelsea
V
Everton
D
West Ham
V
Burnley
H
Leyton O
V
Arsenal
H
Celtic
V
Rangers
H
Crystal P
V
Sheffield U
H
Ipswich
V
Hull
D
Leeds
V
Norwich
D
N. Forest
V
Cardiff
H
Preston
V
QPR
A
Scunthorpe
V
Derby
D
Orient v Arsenal: Quite a change from Barcelona even if Orient are in decent form, Arsenal have a deep enough squad to secure a win.