Giants beware: fixture build-up could mean potential FA Cup upsets for Premier League’s big dogs
Exhausted Premier League clubs could potentially lose to lower-tier teams in the third round of the competition
The debilitating effects of English football’s festive programme have been a major talking point again in the past couple of weeks – and perhaps more than usual with new voices such as Juergen Klopp joining the debate – and there might be a knock-on impact in this weekend’s FA Cup third round.
“Forty-eight hours [between matches] is an interesting idea but less than 48 hours I cannot believe,” Klopp said in response to the fixture list that asked his Liverpool side to play a late game at home to Manchester City last Saturday and visit Sunderland less than 48 hours later. Liverpool beat City but then dropped two points in a 2-2 at Sunderland.
Southampton manager Claude Puel was even more unhappy after his club was handed the tough schedule of all over the festive season, with games on Wednesday, Saturday and Monday. The Saints lost all three matches and it looked significant that they collapsed in the late stages of Monday’s 3-0 loss at Everton, having got to the 73rd minute before conceding.
The fixture build-up could be a factor again this weekend and might lead to some upsets for the Premier League teams if they do not get their calculations right. The balance lies between giving some players a rest, which many managers will surely do, and putting out a strong enough team to get through to the fourth round.
One of the teams most at risk appears to be Southampton, who face a tricky tie away to Championship side Norwich. Puel looks likely to save some of his better players for the Premier League and, with doubts over his line-up, Southampton are shaky favourites.