Arsenal vs Hull City. The FA Cup Fifth Round.
Emirates StadiumAttendance59,830.
Saturday 20 February 2016 12:45, UK
Arsenal will attempt to stretch their unbeaten run in the FA Cup to 15 matches in Saturday's fifth-round tie at home to Hull.
The Gunners have lifted the trophy for the past two years and have faced the Tigers in each of the last three seasons, including beating them 3-2 in the 2014 final at Wembley.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is likely to make a host of changes for the visit of the Championship high-fliers, although he has promised to play "a strong side."
Wenger's men face Barcelona in the Champions League on Tuesday and Wenger has confirmed David Ospina will replace Petr Cech in goal against Hull, while new signing Mohamed Elneny is in line for a start.
On-loan Arsenal duo Chuba Akpom and Isaac Hayden will be ineligible to play for Hull against their parent club but Nick Powell, who is on loan from Manchester United, will make his debut.
Paul Merson's prediction
Both clubs could take their eye off the ball here. Arsenal face Barcelona and Manchester United next while Hull City need to be back in the Premier League - there's no point getting to the FA Cup final and then miss out on promotion. This looks a similar game to Arsenal's fourth-round clash against Burnley - it's a good draw for the Gunners. Hull really could do without this game.
PAUL PREDICTS: 3-0 (Sky Bet odds 9/1)
Opta stats
Alexis Sanchez has scored five goals in six starts in the FA Cup. His first goal in the competition was scored against Hull City in January 2015.
Arsenal have won nine and lost none of the last 10 matches against Hull City in all competitions.
Wenger has faced lower league opposition in 40 FA Cup matches, winning 31 and losing just one.
Aaron Ramsey has scored in his last three starts against Hull City in all competitions.
Hull City have won just one of their last 19 FA Cup matches away from home against top tier opposition (W2 D4 L13).
On loan Arsenal forward Akpom scored a hat-trick for Hull in the 4th Round as the Tigers disposed of Bury.
Arsenal have lost only one of their last 14 home games since losing to Olympiakos 2-3 in September (W11 D2 L1).
Betting
Arsenal are just 1/2 with Sky Bet to book their place in the quarter-finals on Saturday as Hull are 6/1 to cause an upset and 3/1 to secure a replay. The Gunners are currently rated 7/2 favourites to win the competition and 10/1 for the FA Cup and Premier League double. Danny Welbeck and Olivier Giroud share favouritism in the first goalscorer market at 100/30 apiece, while Abel Hernandez is considered the visitors' main threat 15/2.
