Skip to content

What to watch this weekend? FA Cup takes center stage as leagues around the world resume

Jan 4, 2013, 5:00 PM EDT

Watford v Brighton & Hove Albion - npower Championship Getty Images

It’s one of the small inconveniences you accept when you buy into European soccer. Every once in a while, leagues stop for cup competitions that just don’t have the same resonance. Copa del Rey, Coppa Italia, DFB Pokal - they’re all synonyms for “not an actual league game,” especially at a point in the calendar when unbalanced matches often find the most interesting players on the bench. Some viewers have their fan’s stake in a match, but it’s difficult for most around the world to invest in an FA Cup maelstrom without a more intimate attachment.

That maelstrom takes center stage this weekend, with 32 matches making up the competition’s third round proper (as opposed to those rude qualifying rounds). It’s the point of the competition where Premier League clubs drop in, so while there are a number of Aldershot Town and Rotterdam United fixtures that won’t turn your eyes, there are a few points in intrigue amid the tumult.

Here are a few matches to keep in mind as you search for your fix, and if cup competition in England isn’t your thing, I’ve thrown in some matches from the continent (with Spain, Italy, and Mexico’s leagues all restarting this weekend):

In England – FA Cup matches to watch

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Newcastle United (Saturday, 7:30 a.m. Eastern) – We’re starting to hear questions from Tyneside about Alan Pardew’s suitability for the Toon’s job. While he undoubtedly did well for the Magpies last year, the 2012-13 season’s been a disappointment, with Pardew’s talented (if injured) team only two points from the relegation zone.

On the other bench, Brighton’s Gus Poyet is one of the up-and-coming names in England’s managerial circles. Last year he send Newcastle out of this competition in the fourth round. If he repeats the feat this year, Newcastle owner Mike Ashley should give Poyet Pardew’s seat on the ride back north.

Manchester City vs. Watford (Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Eastern) – This will only be an good game if Manchester City’s second stringers and kids (the likes of Scott Sinclair, Maicon, Karim Rekik) fall on their faces, but the contrasts in ownership are interesting.

Manchester City is owned by a Sheikh that would build a stadium on a cloud and fly supporters to matches on hovercraft if he could. Watford is essentially the Double A club for Udinese – a reserve of players for Italian businessman Giampaolo Pozzo.

The only similarity between the teams may be their managers. Both Roberto Mancini (Manchester City) and Gianfranco Zola (Watford, pictured) are former Italian internationals. Mancini was capped 36 times. Zola: 35.

Southampton vs. Chelsea (Saturday, 10:00 a.m. Eastern) – One of four third round meetings between Premier League clubs, Chelsea’s trip to St. Mary’s only becomes important if they lose. That’s is a real possibility, given some of Chelsea’s recent, inconsistent results (low, high, low).

Swansea City vs. Arsenal (Sunday, 8:30 a.m. Eastern) – Swansea has a two-match winning streak against Arsenal, including Dec. 1′s 2-0 win at Emirates Stadium. Arsenal’s already bowed out of the League Cup, and with this tough draw, the Gunners could see the early confirmation of another trophy-less season.

Here’s a full list of the weekend’s fixtures.

Elsewhere

Napoli vs. Roma (Sunday, 2:45 p.m. Eastern) – Zdenek Zeman has Roma clicking, the Giallorossi claiming 24 points in their last 10 games. They’re only two points behind fifth place Napoli for what could be Italy’s final European spot.

Between Roma’s league-leading attack (42 goals in 18 games) and the presence of Edinson Cavani and Marek Hamsik (as well as the absence of suspended defender Paolo Cannavaro), this could turn into a shootout.

Barcelona vs. Espanyol (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. Eastern) - It’s derby day in Catalonia, with Spain’s eventual champions facing an inner-city rival slowly climbing out of the relegation zone. Former Mexican national team coach Javier Aguirre has Espanyol up to 18th after a four-match unbeaten streak, a run that will come to an end on Sunday.

Chivas vs. Toluca (Sunday, 6:00 p.m. Eastern) – Liga MX starts their Clausura this weekend, but Guadalajara’s already playing to type. The Goats fired head coach John Van’t Schip last night, a move that’d been coming ever since the club parted was with Johan Cruyff (who had been serving as a special advisor). Benjamin Galindo has two days to prepare his new team for a visit from the Apertura’s regular season champions.

Latest Posts
  1. Sporting K.C. makes it clear after blown call – “I scored the goal”

    May 19, 2013, 10:00 PM EDT

    Sporting Kansas City v Montreal Impact Getty Images

    Sporting K.C. manager Peter Vermes and defender Ike Opera didn’t appreciate the pivotal offsides call that disallowed a possible winning goal against D.C. United, and they made that very obvious.

  2. Premier League managerial pair blast squad and referee following final match

    May 19, 2013, 8:58 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-SUNDERLAND Getty Images

    Paolo Di Canio and Andre Villas-Boas took to the media following their teams’ Premier League finale to voice displeasure with how their final fixture played out.

  3. D.C. United rue own goal but end losing streak against Sporting KC

    May 19, 2013, 7:51 PM EDT

    kyleporter_1993-430x298 Getty Images

    A dull, scoreless first half picked up in the second term as D.C. United grabbed a point against the league’s second-best team and ended their club-record losing streak at 7 matches.

  4. Carlo Ancelotti denied release from PSG as he looks to Real Madrid job

    May 19, 2013, 5:50 PM EDT

    Paris Saint-Germain's coach Ancelotti reacts during his team's French Ligue 1 soccer match against Brest at the Parc des Princes stadium in Paris Reuters

    With his eye on the imminent vacancy at Real Madrid left by Jose Mourinho’s almost certain departure, Paris Saint-Germain’s mastermind Carlo Ancelotti may now have a large hurdle to get past if he is to land his ideal job in Spain’s capital.

  5. Fernando Torres scores first Premier League goal in 2013 as Chelsea secures third place

    May 19, 2013, 5:34 PM EDT

    Britain Soccer Premier League

    Fernando Torres broke his Premier League scoring drought by banging home the game-winner to secure Chelsea a third place finish.

  6. AC Milan steal final Champions League spot with late goal

    May 19, 2013, 5:22 PM EDT

    AC Siena v AC Milan - Serie A Getty Images

    Heartbreak in Serie A this year belongs to Fiorentina. Mario Balotelli converted a penalty in the 84th minute to draw level and two minutes later Philippe Mexes slotted home a cross to secure Europe’s top competition for AC Milan.

  7. VIDEOS: A brief history of recent “Olimpico” goals in MLS

    May 19, 2013, 5:01 PM EDT

    Michael Gspurning

    Rare as they are, we’ve seen more than our share of “Olimpico” goals in MLS over the last pair of seasons, including one last night:

  8. Despite little to play for, Premier League final day provides prize money shifts

    May 19, 2013, 4:47 PM EDT

    Swansea City's Nathan Dyer is challenged by Fulham's Dimitar Berbatov  (R) during their English Premier League soccer match at the Liberty Stadium in Swansea Reuters

    With Arsenal and Tottenham the only teams battling for any meaningful positioning in the Premier League table, the final day still had implications for many teams in the form of placement prize money.

  9. Sir Alex Ferguson era ends with wacky draw

    May 19, 2013, 4:28 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-WEST BROM-MAN UTD Getty Images

    Sir Alex Ferguson managed the final match of his career away from Old Trafford, and it looked set to complete on a high note, until the opposition had other ideas late.

  10. (Video) Gareth Bale’s wonder strike not enough for Tottenham to capture Champions League dreams

    May 19, 2013, 4:25 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-TOTTENHAM-SUNDERLAND

    Another game-winning strike from Gareth Bale wasn’t enough to save Tottenham from more Champions League heartache.

  11. Three points to make on a huge goal at Red Bull Arena

    May 19, 2013, 3:50 PM EDT

    JW Marriott Essex House New York Grand Opening Getty Images

    New York took all the points from the L.A. Galaxy on Tim Cahill’s late goal. So let’s talk about that goal.

  12. Where Landon Donovan’s afternoon takes us in the ongoing U.S. national team debate

    May 19, 2013, 3:17 PM EDT

    Landon Donovan

    This Landon Donovan debate regarding his place on the national team is not going anywhere. So, did Sunday’s performance move the needle either way?

  13. Arsenal grabs Champions League spot with victory over Newcastle

    May 19, 2013, 2:42 PM EDT

    FBL-ENG-PR-NEWCASTLE-ARSENAL

    Arsenal secured its 16th consecutive spot on the Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Newcastle at St. James’ Park on Sunday.

  14. Danny Koevermans gets into Toronto reserve match

    May 19, 2013, 1:43 PM EDT

    Toronto FC's Danny Koevermans reacts after missing an open net in the first half of their MLS soccer game against the New York Red Bulls in Toronto

    Sensational news for fans around BMO Field:

  15. Story-lines: What to watch for on the final day of the Premier League

    May 19, 2013, 11:30 AM EDT

    Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur - Premier League Getty Images

    With David Beckham-esque tears streaming down my cheeks, we’re finally here: The final day of the 2012-13 Barclay’s Premier League.

  16. All eyes on Newcastle v. Arsenal for final Champions League spot

    May 19, 2013, 10:19 AM EDT

    Arsenal v Wigan Athletic - Premier League Getty Images

    Newcastle have nothing to play for and have been a disaster at home of late, losing their last two matches at St. James’ Park by a combined 9-0.

  17. Seattle awaiting word on Osvaldo Alonso’s injury

    May 19, 2013, 10:13 AM EDT

    alonso head shot

    The timing on this thing in two words: pretty bad:

  18. Philadelphia’s Jack McInerney would be league’s youngest Golden Boot winner

    May 19, 2013, 9:32 AM EDT

    Jack McInerney head shot

    Not to get too far ahead of ourselves on the 20-year-old goal-scoring sensation … :

  19. Seattle overtakes Dallas in a starburst of offensive soccer

    May 19, 2013, 12:48 AM EDT

    Eddie Johnson 2

    The Sounders exploit Dallas’ young back line in a meeting of two Western Conference teams in top form. Final score: 4-2 for the Sounders:

  20. Holy turnabout! Now Houston cannot seem to win at home

    May 18, 2013, 11:41 PM EDT

    New England Revolution v Sporting Kansas City Getty Images

    Juan Agudelo makes his New England debut as Jay Heaps posts one of the best wins of his young coaching career:

Top 10 Player Searches
  1. T. Young (NFL)
  2. B. Beachy (MLB)
  3. T. Tebow (NFL)
  4. D. Rose (NBA)
  5. M. Goodson (NFL)