Tuesday, January 27, 2015

FA Cup fifth-round draw

Bradford's reward for knocking Chelsea out of the FA Cup is a fifth-round showdown with either Sunderland or Fulham.

Mark Yeates celebrates after scoring Bradford's fourth goal against Chelsea

Mark Yeates celebrates after scoring Bradford's fourth goal against Chelsea

The League One side battled back from two goals down to secure a famous 4-2 victory at Stamford Bridge and Monday’s draw handed them home advantage against the winner of the fourth-round replay.

Bradford's co-chairman Mark Lawn believes that neither Sunderland nor Fulham will fancy the trip to West Yorkshire.

"We're at home. I think we can win at home," he told Sky Sports News HQ. "They won't want to come down here and get this lot (the fans) bouncing - and they can get this stadium bouncing. I don't think Sunderland or Fulham will want to come to Valley Parade."

If Manchester United can get past Cambridge in their replay, they will travel to the winners of Preston and Sheffield United, while holders Arsenal host Middlesbrough - the Sky Bet Championship high-fliers who won at Manchester City on Saturday.

Liverpool and Bolton will replay for the right to go to Crystal Palace, while Leicester and Aston Villa meet in a Midlands derby. West Brom face West Ham at home, while Stoke will travel to Blackburn after defeating Rochdale 4-1 in Monday's tie.

Derby play host to Reading in an all-Championship affair to round off the draw, but it is the enduring appeal of Bradford that is likely to hold the headlines.

League Cup finalists two years ago, they are making further waves this year and their stunning win at Chelsea will be spoken of for years to come.

The last time they faced Sunderland saw them lose 3-0 in December 2003, while they have to go all the way back to 1994 to find their last meeting with Fulham, a goalless draw.

Draw for FA Cup fifth round

Crystal Palace v Liverpool/Bolton

Arsenal v Middlesbrough

Aston Villa v Leicester

West Brom v West Ham

Bradford v Sunderland/Fulham

Blackburn v Stoke

Derby v Reading

Preston/Sheffield Utd v Cambridge Utd/Man Utd

Ties to be played across the weekend of February 14 and 15.

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