magic of the cup, jumpers for goalposts

Man City go to Middlesbrough, Utd get a visit from Leeds, Reading host Liverpool, Spurs take on Peterborough, Chelsea face Watford. There are a couple of Premier League match ups with Villa taking on Blackburn in what is likely to be a feast for the footballing senses (ha). Wigan vs Hull likewise. West Ham vs Arsenal has the potential to be a tasty fixture though.

i can't see many upsets this weekend to be honest. Liverpool might get something against Reading, if that counts. Otherwise i think the best the rest can hope for is a replay

in the lower leagues Celtic host Rangers, and across the water the Spanish season kicks off again, with Barca - Villarreal and Atl Madrid - Sevilla looking like a couple of tasty fixtures.

in transfer rumours RVN might be on his way to Liverpool. David James might be on his way to Utd. Dean Windass might be on his way to Arsenal. Owen Coyle definitely isn't going to Bolton