FA Cup quarter finals preview: Can Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest continue their defiance against Premier League sides?

The FA Cup quarter finals are here. Everton visit Selhurst Park in an attempt to turn their recent form around, while Chelsea, Manchester City and Liverpool all face tough ties away from home.

We preview all four FA Cup quarter finals.

Middlesbrough v Chelsea

Middlesbrough have shone so far in this season’s FA Cup. Chris Wilder’s side beat Manchester United on penalties at Old Trafford before dispatching Tottenham in extra time at the Riverside. Their home form has been impressive, with nine straight Championship league wins. However, Boro have not reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup since the 2005-06 season.

Thomas Tuchel’s side travel to the Riverside off the back of four consecutive wins across all competitions. Chelsea have kept a clean sheet in each of their last eight matches against Middlesbrough in all competitions. The Blues have progressed from 15 of their last 19 FA Cup quarter final ties.

The Blues are the favourites at 1/2, but can Boro extend their run of form to upset the odds at 5/1?

Crystal Palace v Everton

Crystal Palace won the last clash with Everton back in December (3-1), but the Eagles have never beaten Everton twice in the same campaign. Patrick Vieira’s side are unbeaten in their last 5 games; they managed to frustrate Manchester City on Monday night as their league tie ended in a stale mate.

Everton will need to find their form if they hope to make it to the semi-finals of the FA Cup this season. This tie marks the Toffees 47th FA Cup quarter final, but Frank Lampard’s side’s recent performances have been uninspiring having lost four of their last five games across all competitions.

This looks to be a close tie with Crystal Palace as the 11/10 favourites. Everton’s odds stand at 5/2. Both teams have scored in four of the last five clashes between the two sides, so backing Crystal Palace to win and both teams to score could represent good value at 15/4.

Southampton v Manchester City

Southampton have managed to hold Manchester City to a stalemate in both of their clashes this season. Ralph Hasenhuttl’s side last faced the Citizens in the FA Cup in 2007, which they lost. The Saints have won just two of their last five matches across all competitions.

This tie marks Man City’s fifth FA Cup quarter final in six seasons under Pep Guardiola’s reign, and they have progressed into the last four each time. The Premier League leaders have lost just one of their 14 games in 2022 and have also progressed into the quarter finals of the Champions League.

The visitors are the 2/7 favourites, but considering their last two ties have resulted in a stalemate, backing a draw could be tempting at 9/2. The home side will have to put in an solid shift to beat the odds at 9/1.

Nottingham Forest v Liverpool

This tie marks the first meeting between Nottingham Forest and Liverpool since 1999. Forest have been in flying form of late as they are unbeaten in their last 9 games. The Championship side have already eliminated two Premier League opponents in this FA Cup campaign (Arsenal and Leicester), which has seen them reach the quarter finals for the first time since 1990-91.

Surprisingly this is Jurgen Klopp’s first FA Cup quarter final since he took charge at Anfield. Liverpool will be determined to continue their quest for domestic silverware as they continue to chase a historic quadruple. All of the Reds’ previous FA Cup ties this season have taken place at Anfield, so they will need to make sure they continue their form away from home.

Liverpool are 1/4 for the win, while Forest are underdogs at 11/1.

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