Main title contenders cross swords in FA Cup

The two leading teams in the English Premier League, Arsenal and Manchester United, clash in this weekend's plum fixture in the FA Cup fifth round matches at Old Trafford.

Last season there were three all-Premier League ties in the fifth round which also included Arsenal and Manchester United. They were pitted against Blackburn Rovers and Reading respectively.

On the other hand, only six clubs that featured in the fifth round last term are still in the last 16 of the tournament this year. These are: Arsenal, Chelsea (the holders), Manchester United, Middlesbrough, Preston and West Bromwich.

Six of this season's last 16 come from the Premiership, eight represent The Championship and two sides are from League One.

That of this afternoon will be the 12th meeting between Arsenal and Manchester United if one includes the 1-1 draw that took the sides to a replay in 1999. The overall outcome just favours the Londoners 6-5.

The last time the two teams met was in the final of 2004-05 that went to Arsenal but only after a penalty shoot-out. That was the first final since 1912 (Barnsley vs West Brom), to be decided by a penalty lottery after no goals had been scored in the regular 90 minutes.

In 1979, Arsenal and United also met in the final at Wembley. Arsenal won that dramatic clash as well - 3-2.

The other outcomes read:

2003-04 Man. Utd-Arsenal 1-0
(semi-final at Villa Park)

2002-03 Man. Utd-Arsenal 0-2
(fifth round)

1998-99 Man. Utd-Arsenal 0-0
Replay: Arsenal-Man. Utd 1-2
(semi-final played at Villa Park)

1987-88 Arsenal-Man. Utd 2-1
(fifth round)

1982-83 Man. Utd-Arsenal 2-1
(semi-final at Villa Park)

1978-79 Arsenal-Man. Utd 3-2
(final at Wembley)

1961-62 Man. Utd-Arsenal 1-0
(fourth round)

1950-51 Man. Utd-Arsenal 1-0
(fifth round)

1936-37 Arsenal-Man. Utd 5-0
(fourth round)

1905-06 Man. Utd-Arsenal 2-3
(quarter-final)

Sheffield United manager Bryan Robson, who had the fans calling for him to resign after the home draw against Scunthorpe, quit his post ahead of tomorrow's FA Cup clash against his former club Middlesbrough at Bramall Lane.

In previous rounds, the Blades have already seen off Premier League sides Bolton (away) and Manchester City at home.

Middlesbrough will make sure not to leave balloons on the field of play before this match after the controversial goal by Sheffield United in the 'Balloongate' victory over Manchester City in the previous round.

Sheffield United's first goal, in their 2-1 win over Manchester City, came after the ball hit a balloon and changed direction dramatically to put Luton Shelton on his way and score for the Blades.

City manager Sven-Goran Eriksson said that they should not blame this mishap for their elimination.

Another intriguing tie for a Premier League side is the clash between Preston and Portsmouth at Deepdale tomorrow.

Harry Redknapp's team will be glad to have Nigerian duo Nwankwo Kanu and John Utaka back from the African Nations Cup after Benjani Mwaruwari departed to Manchester City.

Ex-Preston striker David Nugent will make acquaintance with his ex-mates after Redknapp refused to loan him back to his stomping ground.

The third Premier League-Championship duel is at Anfield and features Liverpool and Barnsley.

After last week's goalless draw against Chelsea, Rafael Benitez is boosted by the news that prolific goalscorer Fernando Torres is close to a return after recovering from an injury suffered on international duty with Spain.

Sami Hyypia, who was also sidelined, may sit this one out too after the impressive full debut of defender Martin Skrtel.

Barnsley boss Simon Davey was glad to watch his team topple top side West Brom last Saturday at the Oakwell Stadium.

It was only in January 2006 that Chelsea took on Huddersfield Town in the FA Cup (third round) at Stamford Bridge and the Londoners won 2-1 (Cole, Gudjohnsen - Taylor-Fletcher). The tie is now back on at the same venue.

Chelsea will also be defending the League Cup next weekend against Tottenham. The Blues beat Arsenal 2-1 in last year's final.

Avram Grant has skipper John Terry who is close to a comeback since he cried off with injury in December.

Huddersfield are in a mid-table position in League One and have lost eight times on their travels.

Coventry, involved in a Midland derby with West Brom, have sacked manager Iain Dowie earlier in the week. Frankie Bunn and John Harbin have taken over temporarily.

Malta striker Michael Mifsud will be in search of more exploits in the FA Cup and will seek to put one under the Albion at the Ricoh Arena.

In their last league meeting at the Hawthorns, Coventry won 4-2 with Mifsud scoring two of the goals.

Another all-Championship tie is the Ninian Park battle between Cardiff and Wolves.

Cardiff are managed by the ex-Wolves boss Dave Jones, who took them to promotion to the Premier League via the play-offs.

Jones's man up front, Joe Ledley, carried the January Player of the Month award for scoring four times for the Bluebirds last month.

Wolves manager Mick McCarthy, who had the money to strengthen his squad, can find himself dismissed if he does not address the situation at Molineux following two heavy defeats, 3-0 at Watford and 4-2 at home to Stoke City.

The other League One side left in the competition are Bristol Rovers, who tackle Southampton at home.

Rovers boss Paul Trollope is confident his side can reach the last eight. The last time they made it to this stage of the competition was in 1999.

Southampton boss George Burley left to fill the vacant job in Scotland's national side. Ex-player Alan Shearer has been the last name to be linked with the post but the England man declined the offer.