Weekend Football Focus

Blackburn v Leicester
1.05pm Sunday, Ewood Park - live on BBC1
Referee: Neale Barry (North Lincolnshire)
Facts: It's four years since these clubs reached the quarter-finals. Blackburn lost 3-0 to Arsenal while Leicester went out 2-1 to giant-killers Wycombe.
He may not be too impressed by this, but Blackburn's young striker Jonathan Stead reminds me of a TV icon of my youth - Andy Pandy. Like Andy, the former Huddersfield striker spends most of his time in the box, as he demonstrated in Sunday's match against Everton. Mark Hughes's side are easing clear of the big drop, something that Leicester were unable to do last season. Dropping down into the Championship is a huge shock to the system and one from which Leicester have yet to fully recover.
Verdict: BLACKBURN IN THE SEMIS

Newcastle v Tottenham
4pm Sunday, St James' Park - live on Sky Sports 1
Away ticket info: Sold out
Referee: Rob Styles (Hampshire)
Facts: Spurs last won the Cup in 1991. The following year the current Newcastle boss, Graeme Souness, guided Liverpool to the final where they beat Sunderland 2-0.
The speculation surrounding Martin Jol and Ajax seems to have receded a little in recent days but it certainly wouldn't have done the Dutchman any harm, particularly if he was looking for a little pay rise from his present employers. Although Tottenham have not given up all hope of a European spot through the Premiership, the FA Cup remains by far their most realistic chance of glory, glory this season. The same could be said of Newcastle but they won in the UEFA Cup against Olympiakos last night and, after a troubled start, are showing signs of improvement under Graeme Souness.
Verdict: CLOSE BUT SPURS COULD MISS OUT

Bolton v Arsenal
12.15pm tomorrow, Reebok Stadium - live on BBC1
Away ticket info: £20 (£10-£18 concs), to personal callers at Highbury only
Referee: Steve Bennett (Kent)
Facts: Since Bolton last won the Cup in 1958, they have reached the semifinals only once, in 2000. Under Arsene Wenger, Arsenal have lost only five of 50 Cup ties and have reached four finals.
Arsenal's recent FA Cup clashes against Sheffield United were fraught to say the least at times and tomorrow's quarter-final at Bolton could be similar. Sam Allardyce's team limbered up for the weekend with a useful win at Manchester City, which lifted them up to sixth in the table. The scorer was El-Hadji Diouf, a player who likes to clear his throat frequently and who, if we're honest, seems to have more talent than manners at times. He says he's learned his lesson and so does big Sam. Those sceptics among us would prefer to wait and see what happens the next time he is under pressure.
Verdict: COULD TAKE A SECOND TIE

Southampton v Manchester United
5.15pm tomorrow, St Mary's - live on BBC1
Referee: Howard Webb (South Yorkshire)
Facts: In eight Cup meetings, Southampton have been knocked out by United on six occasions. However, the Saints did beat them in the 1976 final.
Manchester United have one fewer distraction following their Champions League exit in Milan this week and that could be bad news for Southampton tomorrow. Harry Redknapp will have been cheered, though, by his side's precious Premiership win over Spurs last Saturday and will be keeping everything crossed that, with the fraught Premiership run-in well under way, his team suffer no injuries in their quarter-final against United.
Verdict: THE SAINTS GO MARCHING OUT

COCA-COLA LEAGUE

QPR v Watford
3pm tomorrow, Loftus Road
Tickets: HOME - very limited availability. Tel: 0870 112 1967. AWAY - £22 (£12-£13 concs). Tel: 0870 111 1881
Referee: Graham Poll (Hertfordshire)
Facts: QPR have not beaten Watford since claiming a 1-0 victory against their London rivals in an old Division One League match in April 1988.
Ian Holloway insists he is so happy at Loftus Road that he isn't interested in any other job, which is a bit of a shame as he was in contention to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson at England. Well, almost. Holloway would be even happier if he wasn't forced to pass around the begging bowl every time he wanted to sign a player after financial restraints caused QPR to miss out on signing Middlesbrough defender Andrew Davies. In the circumstances Rangers have done well to survive this season, as have Watford.
Verdict: SURVIVORS SHARE THE SPOILS

Reading v West Ham
3pm tomorrow, Madejski Stadium
Away ticket info: Sold out
Last season: 2 (Kitson 2) 0 Referee: Phil Joslin (Nottinghamshire)
Facts: These two teams have clashed only four times in their history and those matches have produced just four goals, with West Ham winning two and Reading one.
Alan Pardew returns to Reading tomorrow and a part of him may be wishing he had never left. The West Ham manager has hardly been a roaring success at a club who were prepared to go to the High Court to secure his services. Pardew would not last five minutes in front of a kangaroo court of Hammers supporters and results must improve now if an inevitable fate is to be avoided.
Verdict: PARDEW PUNISHED DOWN MEMORY LANE

Wigan v Millwall
3pm tomorrow, JJB Stadium
Away ticket info: £17 (£12 concs). Tel: 020 7231 9999
Last season: 0-0
Referee: Tony Bates (Staffordshire)
Facts: Millwall have not scored more than one goal in a game since beating Nottingham Forest 2-1 in the league on 15 January. Wigan's Nathan Ellington has netted in his past five matches.
The last thing you need when you're struggling to pay your police bill is a visit from Millwall, so Dave Whelan will be cursing the fixture list. The Wigan chairman has finally agreed to cough up and pay Greater Manchester Police, but Millwall are likely to cause him fewer problems on the pitch. Wigan have won four of their past five games and should go on to secure the Championship, while Millwall's main concern is keeping hold of enough players to fulfil their fixtures.
Verdict: MORE MISERY FOR MILLWALL