FA Cup preview

With Middlesbrough versus Blackburn Rovers the only all-Premiership affair, there will need to be some major shocks to prevent the bigger clubs progressing to the quarter finals.

Arsenal v Gillingham

Gunners boss Arsene Wenger has a monster selection headache with injuries and suspensions muddying the picture for this Highbury showdown.

Giovanni van Bronckorst, Dennis Bergkamp and Oleg Luzhny are all banned, while Martin Keown would have missed out through suspension had he not been injured. Ashley Cole, Freddie Ljungberg, Stuart Taylor and Matthew Upson are injured, while Lauren is not back from African Cup of Nations duty in time.

The defensive problems could lead Wenger to recall Tony Adams, and the talismanic veteran is 20/1 to mark his first game since September with the opening goal.

Gills' top scorer Marlon King is 18/1 to break the deadlock with former Gunner Paul Shaw 16/1 to net first as they seek to pull off a massive cup upset.

Manager Andy Hessenthaler may hand himself a place on the bench although he has no fresh injury worries, unlike his opposite number in the Arsenal dug-out.

Middlesbrough v Blackburn Rovers

The only tie that features two top flight sides, and given their precarious positions in The Premiership, a prolonged cup run may prove something of an unwanted distraction.

Boro are without the suspended duo of Gianluca Festa and Jonathan Greening, Phil Stamp is injured and recent recruit Benito Carbone is cup-tied. Paul Ince and Alen Boksic are doubtful.

Blackburn have already reached the Worthington Cup final and manager Graeme Souness is expected to field an under-strength team, especially with Garry Flitcroft suspended and Matt Jansen injured.

Andy Cole grabbed the only goal at Millwall in the last round, and he is 28/1 to repeat the dose at The Riverside Stadium.

Walsall v Fulham

After disposing of Premiership Charlton Athletic away from home in the last round, Walsall have been rewarded with a home tussle against another member of the elite.

Though The Saddlers' priority is First Division survival, the FA Cup is proving to be a welcome sideline given the success they have enjoyed so far, although Colin Lee is without Ian Brightwell and Tony Barras for this encounter.

Jorge Leitao was the hero of the last round with both goals at The Valley, and he is 7/1 to open the scoring at The Bescot Stadium.

Fulham are a decent bet at 9/1 to lift the FA Cup at The Millennium Stadium and they impressed in avoiding a banana skin at York City in the last round.

Steed Malbranque and Steve Marlet were the scorers that day and they are priced, respectively, at 8/1 and 5/1 to net first in the fifth round with the former scoring three goals in five appearances from midfield.

West Brom v Cheltenham Town

The Hawthorns stages the only fifth round fixture that does not feature a Premiership side and the pair have both been giant-killers this season.

West Brom revert to the role of Goliath for this tie as they have previously been David in slaying Sunderland and Leicester City.

The Baggies have won their last four home games 1-0 and are 7/1 to complete the nap hand, while Neil Clement is 11/1 to open the scoring, having scored from the penalty spot in both rounds thus far.

Cheltenham have beaten higher league opposition in the guise of Oldham and Burnley in the last two rounds but they have doubts over the fitness of Keith Hill and Richard Walker for their trickiest test to date.

Chelsea v Preston

Like fellow favourites for this competition Arsenal, Chelsea have defensive concerns with Mario Melchiot suspended, William Gallas doubtful and John Terry definitely ruled out.

It could lead to a surprise role in the centre of defence for Emmanuel Petit who is 16/1 to score the first goal from that position.

Finnish striker Mikael Forssell has scored in both rounds thus far and is 4/1 to open the scoring, although he will have to hope for either a rare start, or a lengthy delay in the scoring.

Preston head to the capital with promotion to The Premiership their chief aim this season but this match will provide them with the opportunity to test their credentials for a place among the big boys.

Everton v Crewe

The Toffees have this tournament as their only realistic route into European competition for next season.

Lee Carsley is cup-tied, Duncan Ferguson is banned, Steve Watson and Alessandro Pistone are injured while Tomasz Radzinski is a major doubt.

Scot Gemmill returns from suspension and Thomas Gravesen is back in the squad, while David Ginola will be hoping to step up on his debut last week by opening his Everton account, and is 9/2 to score first.

Crewe will be eager to pitch their renowned passing game against Premiership opposition and they are seeking a rare appearance in the quarter-finals.

Highly-rated young striker Dean Ashton grabbed a double against Rotherham in the last round and is 11/1 to open the scoring.

Newcastle United v Manchester City

Arguably the glamour tie of the fifth round as Kevin Keegan prepares to make a triumphant return to St James' Park.

With City hellbent on attack and The Magpies equally committed to producing entertaining football, it will be a match for both the partisans and the neutrals.

Craig Bellamy will be anxious to make the headlines for his on-pitch antics, rather than his off-the-field activities, and he is 4/1 to open the scoring.

After thrashing Ipswich Town 4-1 in the fourth round a jaunt to the North East holds no fears for the First Division table-toppers and Shaun Goater, who is 8/1 to score first, will be eager for another chance to prove he can snatch goals against top class opponents.

Tottenham Hotspur v Tranmere Rovers

With a Worthington Cup final appearance already on the agenda, Spurs will be confident of taking another step towards a second trip to The Millennium Stadium

Ledley King and Darren Anderton are both anticipated to play in the match after missing the England friendly in midweek, and the midfielder is 9/1 to net the opener, as he did against Bolton in the previous round.

Tranmere have carved themselves a reputation as a daunting cup team in recent seasons and they have knocked out the likes of West Ham and Sunderland along the way.

Midfielder Sean Flynn has scored in three of the four rounds thus far and is 33/1 to score first while his engine room cohort, the coveted Jason Koumas is 20/1 to open the scoring, having notched four goals in three FA Cup outings this term.

If you feel there are unlikely to be any major surprises this weekend, then why not follow the favourites by selecting Fulham, Arsenal, West Brom, Everton, Chelsea and Tottenham to overcome lower-division opposition in order to advance to the last eight.

A six-team accumulator pays over £50 for £10. Click here to bet.

Remember you can place bets right up to kick-off with our official betting partner Ladbrokes. By checking the teams as they come in on our live scorecentre, you can ensure your selection is in the starting line-up, and possibly take advantage of any last minute changes.