Our prediction for this FA Cup match:
Middlesbrough
Match Time & Date:
06/01/2024
18:30
Prediction: 1-2
Aston Villa
Riverside Stadium will host Saturday’s FA Cup game between Middlesbrough and Aston Villa, the two sides who face each other for the first time since March 2019. Back then Aston Villa defeated Middlesbrough 3-0 and the Villans are seen as favourites to win the FA Cup clash as well. The likes of Matt Crooks, Seny Dieng, Emmanuel Latte Lath, Patrick Mcnair, Hayden Hackney, Marcus Forss, Tom Smith, Darragh Lenihan, and Lewis O’Brien remain on the sidelines.
The Boro, on the other hand, experienced all sorts of problems at the back in their first game of the year, with the team losing to Coventry 3-1 and given their poor winless run against Aston Villa, we are tempted to put our money on the Premier League side. Bertrand Traore is on international duty, while all Lucas Digne, Tyrone Mings, and Emiliano Buendia are out of contention with injuries. Saturday’s game comes too early for former Leicester City midfielder Youri Tielemans.
Highlighted Player (Paddy McNair):
Following in the footsteps of his compatriot Jonny Evans, Paddy McNair joined the Manchester United academy in 2011 and he was surprisingly handed first team debut by Louis van Gaal at the start of the 2014/2015 season.
Despite his fragile age, the talented central defender has been putting in some very mature performances ever since, and everything suggests he could go on to become an important player at Old Trafford in years to come. After representing a number of youth sides, McNair made his first appearance for the Northern Ireland senior national team in a March 2015 friendly vs Scotland, before making another three outings as his side secured their place at the Euro 2016 finals.
Northern Ireland coach Michael O’Neill surprisingly played McNair in holding midfield in the March 2016 friendly vs Wales. After the youngster impressed in the middle of the park, O’Neill went on to suggest that the Manchester United starlet may be used in midfield rather than defence in years to come in the national team.
Highlighted Team (Aston Villa):
Aston Villa is one of the three clubs that dropped to the Championship at the end of the 2015/2016 Premier League campaign. The Villans host their rivals at Villa Park, the stadium that was opened in 1897 and its’ capacity is 42,682. However, it has to be noted that the highest attendance recorded at the stadium was 76,588 when Aston Villa faced Derby County in the FA Cup back in 1946.
Aston Villa’s fiercest rivals are Birmingham City and West Bromwich Albion. Nonetheless, the rivalry between Aston Villa and Wolves and Coventry City is big as well. Aston Villa have won seven First Division (Premier League) trophies, with the team clinching seven FA Cup trophies as well.
The team’s biggest success, though, came in 1982 when they won the European Cup. The Villans defeated Bayern Munich (1-0) in the title game and Peter Withe was named the man of the match.
Chelsea 
Manchester United 
Everton
Tottenham
Fulham
Real Madrid 
Getafe
Liverpool
Man City 
Lecce 
Juventus 
