Working the FA Cup numbers

By Richard Ross

- Last updated on GMT

Related tags Arsenal f.c. Premier league Premiership

Thirteen from the top, 14 from the next, three from the next and a couple from the last. At first glance, you might think you're reading a Count-down...

Thirteen from the top, 14 from the next, three from the next and a couple from the last.

At first glance, you might think you're reading a Count-down contestant's instructions in Carol Vorderman's worst nightmare.

In fact, it's the groupings of the surviving teams in this weekend's FA Cup. If you're still struggling, it's 13 from the Premiership, 14 from the Championship and so on.

If it's upsets you're after, look no further than the five Premiership v Championship ties. TV coverage of the fourth round starts with just such a match.

BBC1 will show Saturday's lunch-time kick-off, with Blackburn Rovers heading down the M1 to play either Queen's Park Rangers or Luton. Rovers start as favourites, but home advantage counts for plenty in cup ties.

Next up, also on BBC1, there's an all-Premiership affair, as Manchester United host Portsmouth in an early evening match. The Red Devils will want to return to winning ways after losing to Arsenal in the Premiership. Last weekend's 2-1 defeat was just their third in the league this season.

BBC1's third match of the weekend is on Sunday (1.45pm), when Chelsea take on Nottingham Forest.

For the Blues, it's a second cup tie in five days. Their Carling Cup semi against Wycombe Wanderers last Tuesday should put them in the mood for this home tie.

SS Chelsea may have been rocking recently, but the Premiership champions should overpower the Tricky Trees.

Straight after, on SS1, in the final televised match of the round, Bolton Wanderers head to Arsenal's Emirates Stadium. The sides have had some memorable encounters, notably at the Reebok, but the Gunners have an unbeaten record at their new home to defend. With an ongoing interest in four competitions, the Gunners are running hot.

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