Our writers' FA Cup tips

 
7 January 2013

ES Sport asks its columnists and commentators who they are backing to lift the trophy, and why...

James Olley

Chief Football Correspondent

Manchester City — free from distractions in Europe, City have no excuse not to have a serious crack at the FA Cup. Roberto Mancini needs to keep a talented squad happy — Mario Balotelli might be a lost cause — and a Cup run will help.

Patrick Barclay

Columnist

Liverpool — it seems illogical not to tip Manchester United when they have the best-managed squad in the land but I have a hunch they will come unstuck at West Ham. So Liverpool, a club with a rediscovered sense of purpose, look the best bet.

Tom Collomosse

Football Correspondent

Everton — David Moyes’s squad lacks the depth to challenge the best teams over a Premier League season and they could be weakened further during this transfer window but in a one-off game, their strongest XI is a match for any in the top division.

Simon Johnson

Football Correspondent

Manchester City — with no European football to distract them, City are bound to be fully committed to winning the competition. Manchester United look favourites to win the League so Roberto Mancini will be determined not to end the campaign without a trophy.

Dan Jones

Columnist

Liverpool — because otherwise, frankly, what’s the point of them? Okay, harsh but last year’s runners-up ought to have enough about them for a Cup run. A trophy would give the quietly impressive Brendan Rodgers a bit of medium-term safety, which is what the club badly need.

David Smith

Sports Correspondent

Tottenham — one of my Christmas presents was a montage of the 1981 replay win over Man City, signed by Steve Perryman, Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa. AVB’s team play with the same panache so an autographed photo of Gareth Bale with the Cup is on my Christmas list for 2013.

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