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.
FA Cup 2012, Fourth Round Replays: Six Teams Play For Right To Probably Lose Shortly Anyway
There are three ties remaining in the FA Cup Fourth Round, and every team that advances will be an underdog in the Fifth Round.
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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