How many??
Yep, seventeen matches - courtesy of the draw only throwing up three Premier League ties, oh well - should be a good fight, might get my numbers up too...
Standings
19 weeks played, 184 matches
12-7 to Tarquin
Lawro - 93 right, 22 perfects - 59 points
Tarquin - 95 right, 18 perfects - 55.5 points
Aston Villa v Blackburn
Straightforward enough, and Villa will want a cup run with the memory of always getting United first up still fresh
Lawro: 2-0
Tarquin: 3-0
Bolton v Lincoln
Even managerless Bolton should have no qualms with a lower league two side, they're a solid, if not brilliant outfit with a few decent players (Bolton, not Lincoln)
Lawro: 2-1
Tarquin: 2-0
Everton v Carlisle
I don't think Everton will have a problem with a middling league one side - even if they send out the kids, it shouldn't make a difference - they've been doing it every week anyway...
Lawro: 3-0
Tarquin: 2-0
Fulham v Swindon
It's okay, everyone! Andy Johnson is on the pitch!! Although to his [Lawro's] credit, this is the sort of opposition Johnson is good against, Championship-level goal poacher that he is
I can't wait til the strikerless Sunderland come up...
Lawro: 2-0
Tarquin: 3-0
Middlesboro v Man City
Eight points from ten for the legendary Strachan - Southgate's record down in the Championship was more than twice as good, so it's nice to know that if we are going to have to put up with Newcastle again, at least Boro won't be coming back
Oh, sorry - the match, I don't think Mancini will be resting players - surely the Arab owners want a cup run, although clearly getting to semis isn't worth much to them...
Lawro: 0-2
Tarquin: 1-2
MK Dons v Burnley
It's really come to something when a mid-table Premier League side has such a poor away form that an average league one side is considered a favourite at home - okay, we know they're no good away - but they can score goals, they've scored more than Stoke, Blackburn, Hull and Portsmouth on the road - they just struggle defensively
But they've got goals at West Ham, City and Blackburn - they can get some here, and they had a good tussle with Barnsley in the Carling Cup, the Dons aren't at the same level - but I do think this could go either way (also depends who plays)
Lawro: 1-1
Tarquin: 1-2
Nottingham Forest v Birmingham
I think McLeish might give a few players a well-earned rest here, although I see little reason not to go for the cup when he's basically assured safety and has little chance of Europe, but they've been playing 110% (sorry) for 2 months and come off a heavy December schedule with a few injuries, don't be surprised if Forest get more of a look in than Everton or Chelsea did
Lawro: 2-2
Tarquin: 2-1
Portsmouth v Coventry
Oh...fun - assuming Portsmouth aren't liquidated by tomorrow we should expect a bit of positivity from the south coast - at home against Coventry, if they can beat Liverpool, they should be a match for them
Lawro: 2-1
Tarquin: 2-0
Stoke v York
Oh brilliant...Stoke at home against a conference side - 'Cupset' anyone?
Nah...
Lawro: 2-0
Tarquin: 2-0
Sunderland v Barrow
Barrow are even lower than York - I do of course favour the underdog and love a non-league side to progress, but Sunderland will need to rest an awful lot of players to lose this
Lawro: 2-1
Tarquin: 2-0
Tottenham v Peterborough
You can always rely on Harry to respect the cup, I doubt Spurs will have trouble with the bottom of the Championship
Lawro: 3-0
Tarquin: 4-0
Wigan v Hull
Finally, an all-Premier League match-up and what a doozy it is...
I'd favour Hull, they're playing better, but certainly nothing is 'nailed on' here so I'm going goalless, and Wigan may respond to that abysmal display at Old Trafford, or not...
Lawro: 1-1
Tarquin: 0-0
Reading v Liverpool
Seriously, no idea - Reading are pathetic right now...but so are Pompey, it's all about what medication Rafa's on, I suppose a Liverpool victory would be favourite
Lawro: 0-2
Tarquin: 0-1
Man United v Leeds
Fergie won't take this lightly - not that h has much choice, Leeds will give them a good game, but there's too much
Lawro: 2-0
Tarquin: 2-1
Chelsea v Watford
No Drogba, or indeed Anelka - it's going to be a fun few weeks, but surely Joe Cole and the like can deal with Watford...who are Watford, after all
Lawro: 2-0
Tarquin: 2-1
West Ham v Arsenal
Wenger will play a strong team - but has no Fabregas, Walcott or RVP available...right - the youth will be out, but they will be the known youths (like Ramsey) and fortunately they are more than a match for West Ham
Lawro: 1-2
Tarquin: 0-1
Tranmere v Wolves
Wolves are a decent attacking side - they are weak to strong premier league sides, but against a struggling league one side? - Bread and butter for them
Lawro: 1-2
Tarquin: 0-2
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