Premier League leaders Manchester United will face high-flyers
Portsmouth at Old Trafford in the FA Cup after the draw for the
fourth round was made on Monday.
In another top-six clash, Arsenal (fourth) are at home to
fifth-placed bogey side Bolton Wanderers.
Chelsea, currently second in the Premier League, will also be at
home where they will face League One Nottingham Forest, 2-0
conquerors of Premiership strugglers Charlton in the third
round.
"It's a fantastic draw for us," Forest manager Colin Calderwood
told the club website.
"The fact that it's an away draw and we're going to Stamford
Bridge really whets the appetite because it's a chance for us to
enjoy a touch of glamour."
Arsenal have already overcome Premiership opposition in this
season's FA Cup, knocking out holders Liverpool with a 3-1 win at
Anfield last weekend.
But Bolton, in their last seven games against Arsenal, have won
four, drawn two and lost just one.
Nevertheless, Wanderers manager Sam Allarydce was wary of the
trip to north London. "They remain unbeaten at the Emirates this
season and, even though they have drawn a few at home, it will be a
formidable task for us to go there and win or even bring them back
to the Reebok for a replay."
Back in November, United beat Portsmouth, presently sixth in the
table, 3-0 in a league match at Old Trafford.
"We can't afford to go there with anything other than a
full-strength team," said Portsmouth assistant manager Tony
Adams.
"It will be a tough tie in front of nearly 80,000 at Old
Trafford and the last time we were there we got battered. We went
there with key players missing and you can't expect too much when
you do that.
"We would fancy our chances against anyone at Fratton Park but
this is a real test and we will have to perform to the maximum to
survive it," the former Arsenal and England defender added.
Both sides were involved in all-Premiership clashes last
weekend, with Portsmouth beating Wigan 2-1 at Fratton Park and
United defeating Aston Villa 2-1 with an injury-time winner.
4th rd draw
Arsenal v Bolton
West Ham v Watford
Bristol City or Coventry v Hull or Middlesbrough
Chelsea v Nottingham Forest
Chester or Ipswich v Swansea
Cardiff or Tottenham v Southend or Barnsley
Barnet or Colchester United v Peterborough or Plymouth
Birmingham or Newcastle v Reading or Burnley
Derby v Bristol Rovers
Sheffield Wednesday or Manchester City v Southampton
Crystal Palace v Preston
Manchester United v Portsmouth
Blackpool v Norwich
Queens Park Rangers or Luton v Blackburn Rovers
Wolverhampton or Oldham v West Bromwich Albion
Leicester or Fulham v Stoke
3rd rd replays to be played on Jan 16-17
4th rd ties to be played on Jan 27-28
(China Daily via AFP January 10, 2007)