FA Cup Quarterfinals/Abbreviated EPL Schedule Preview

Finally, there is no way around it. I have to talk about the FA Cup.

We are now in the quarterfinal round, which is the last played outside London’s Wembley Stadium (ie, the stage where Everton will feel they’ve accomplished something and shit the pitch). It’s known as a romantic tournament, where “magic” can happen, lower level (and even virtual pub sides) clubs hosting, and even beating Premier League opposition. It’s all luck of the draw, and many top clubs don’t take it seriously, especially if playing in Europe at the same time. Though EPL sides get a “bye” through the first 2 rounds, so it’s not that socialistic.

In actuality, the plankton generally all fall by the wayside by this point. And that’s true in 2016, with one one non-EPL side left (the Championship’s Reading, who play Crystal Palace Friday night, before this post goes live). The other matches look like solid, if not earth shattering, EPL matchups.

Saturday is the best match of the lot, with two teams making a last ditch effort to salvage something* from bitterly disappointing seasons (Chelski at Everton, 12:30, FS2). The Toffees have played very well against Chelski both times in the Prem, and need to make it 3 for 3. Otherwise, the atmosphere at Goodison will get beyond hostile (after last week’s repugnant even by Everton standards meltdown). A trophy might save Roberto Martinez’ job, but probably shouldn’t.

* Winning the FA Cup gets you entry into the Europa League (European footy’s NIT) next season, unless you qualify for Champions League. If the winner qualifies for CL, the runner-up gets the Europa slot.

Sunday’s doubleheader features Manure/West Ham (noon, FS1) and Aresnal/Watford (1:30, Fox Soccer Plus). Watford clearly will be the team with the most incentive amongst the four, as Arsenal need to cement a top 3 place in the League, and Manure and the Hammers are in a scrum for 5th, with an eye on City for the last Champions League slot.

What I’m saying is that Sunday’s games could be shit.

Also, these are the last matches that will not go to extra time or penalties. A draw results in a “replay” at the visiting side’s ground. But THAT match would go to extra time, then pens as needed. In the olden days, they did rounds of replays ad infinitum. Purity = entropy, wish I had seen it.

If you wake up super early, you can treat yo’ self to Man City and Norwich (7:45, NBCSN). With all the FA Cup-related cancellations, there are only two 10:00 matches – Stoke/Southampton (NBCSN) and Bournemouth/Swansea (USA), neither being particularly interesting.

Sunday brings Villa/Tottenham at noon (NBCSN) – don’t forget to “spring forward” UGH. Then Leicester gets shitty Newcastle on Monday Night Footy (4:00, NBCSN), presumably to keep its 5-point lead over Spurs.

Of course, footy being footy…anything can happen. So maybe good teevee will spring forth unexpectedly.