As teams who are through to the fifth round prepare to meet their opponents in the next match, others prepare to play a replay of the fourth round. This is the situation which WestBrom and Brighton find themselves. Thus, the Hawthorns will entertain both teams as they look to get a ticket to the next round of the FA Cup.
WestBrom is a team who are on the verge of having a very good season. They are currently in the battle for promotion to the premier league and would thus fancy their chances against premier league opposition near the bottom of the league. They are currently fourth in the championship with 50 points. The FA cup would present an opportunity to showcase their talent and all they can offer. However, the replay at the Hawthorns would surely not an easy encounter. Their coach Darren Moore has urged his team to focus on this game. However, he has also asserted that after a win here at the Hawthorns, his teams would be allowed to dream of playing at the Wembley stadium.
Brighton, on the other hand, is very much interested in a run to the FA Cup. This was made very clear by their manager Chris Hughton who didn't hold back in urging his team to play the game with the aim of securing passage to the next round. He would be hoping that his team would treat the game like a premier league match.
WestBrom form has been stuck on average. They would be hoping to kick on from here with a win against Brighton. WestBrom has won just two of their last six games. The remaining matches have ended in two losses and two draws. WestBrom would be hoping that a win here today would not only take them to the next round of the FA cup but would produce a boost to help them with their relegation push.
Brighton form, on the other hand, has been dreadful, to say the least. They have managed to win just one match out of their last six matches. The other matches have ended in three losses and two draws. It is not looking pretty for Brighton and they come face to face with a team who is willing to take their chances in the cup and in their championship. When both teams kick off, they would so much to play for on both sides.
History also favors WestBrom in crucial areas in this match. WestBrom has not lost at home to Brighton in the previous 10 matches. In fact, the last time that WestBrom lost at home to Brighton was way back in 1976 in a league cup game. However, the good news for Brighton is that they have managed to progress to the next round in four of the last five replays in the FA Cup.
There is no doubt that this game is delicately poised. Brighton would be looking to win to keep their FA Cup dreams alive. WestBrom would fancy their chances as the underdogs in this home fixture.