Sunday FA Cup Acca

As one of only two non-league sides remaining in the FA Cup, there will be plenty of eyes on Woking this Sunday – can they become the latest minnow to embark on an against-all-odds cup run?

It feels like an age ago that Woking were taken from the Conference to the Champions League in just six seasons – that sort of stuff doesn’t go unnoticed – but unfortunately the Cardinals have slipped down into the National League South, and their task against Premier League Watford looks daunting.

It’s pretty futile looking at league form when trying to predict FA Cup results due to the mountain of changes managers like to make these days, so League Cup form is a more accurate measure of how things might pan out.  

After brushing Reading aside 2-0 at the Madejski, Watford succumbed to Spurs on penalties after a thrilling 2-2 draw – this is enough evidence for me to believe they could end up trampling Woking, and their dreams along with it.

The Hornets are also not in any imminent relegation danger, so Javi Gracia should really field quite a strong side on Sunday, as this is a trophy his side have a decent enough shot of winning.

The gap of five tiers will be telling, which is why I’m backing a Watford -2 victory.

We move swiftly on to our second non-league side: Barnet!

Unfortunately I’m being a party pooper today and backing Sheffield United to sidestep any potential humiliation at the hands of the National League outfit.

Barnet did beat Bristol Rovers away from home in the last round – which can certainly be put under the ‘Cupset’ umbrella – but they’ll have no-such luck against the high-flying Blades.

United reached the fifth round of this competition last season, and Chris Wilder isn’t the sort of manager to take any game lightly.

For this reason, I’m backing a Sheffield United -1 victory.

Leicester are another side who should really have a proper go at this season’s FA Cup.

The Foxes aren’t going to get relegated and considering they’ve reached three consecutive domestic quarter-finals, I would be incredibly disappointed if Claude Puel messes around with his side too much – though I suspect he won’t.

The team that Leicester fielded against Fleetwood in the first round of the League Cup this year still featured primarily first-team players, and this is the blueprint I expect them to follow on Sunday.

League Two Newport have been handy at Rodney Parade this season – losing just twice in the league – though this will have little-to-no impact on Sunday’s result.

Leicester should (and probably will) go strong, which is why I’m backing them to win with a -1 handicap.

Follow @RyanEJourno