James McClean of Sunderland celebrates scoring the first goal during the Barclays Premier League match between Stoke City and Sunderland at the Britannia Stadium. Sunderland plays in the FA Cup on February 8, 2012. (Photo by Richard Heathcote/Getty Images)
There are three ties remaining in the FA Cup Fourth Round, and every team that advances will be an underdog in the Fifth Round.
A League One side, four Championship sides and a Premier League side find themselves in need of another match to settle their FA Cup Fourth Round ties. Instead of having extra time and penalties for all cup ties, the FA Cup feels the need to cling to something called "tradition". Even though, "traditionally", you play replays until someone wins. The FA stopped being cruel, and now you just have to play one.
The draw has not been kind to these teams. The only side that will feel like they have a very good chance to advance is the Millwall-Southampton winner, who will play at home against Bolton Wanderers. It's not unreasonable to suggest that Southampton are actually a better team than Bolton.
The Middlesborough-Sunderland winner will host Arsenal, who is always a bit of a wild card in the cup. A full-strength Sunderland side at the Stadium of Light against a Arsenal youth team should actually be compelling. The winner of the replay between Blackpool and Sheffield Wednesday will play away at Everton, where they will be large underdogs.
Schedule
Sheffield Wednesday vs. Blackpool - Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Southampton vs. Millwall - Tuesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
Middlesborough vs. Sunderland - Wednesday, 2:45 p.m. ET, 7:45 p.m. local
For more on the Black Cats, head over to Sunderland AFC blog Roker Report.
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