FA Cup sixth round predictions: Liverpool, Chelsea & Man City eye semi-finals

Before March's international break brings the club season to a temporary halt, we have the sixth round of the FA Cup to look forward to.

Just eight sides remain in this year's competition and each of them know they only need one more win to book a ticket to Wembley.

The Premier League's runaway top three are still standing, while two Championship sides are keen to extend their fairytale runs.

Here are 90min's predictions for round six of the FA Cup.

Saturday 19 March

Middlesbrough vs Chelsea

The tone-deaf statement released by Chelsea on Tuesday asking for Saturday's tie with Middlesbrough to be played behind closed doors for reasons of 'sporting integrity' means that there'll be an extra edge to this meeting.

Boro responded by slamming the Blues' request as 'bizarre', while chairman Steve Gibson called for opposite number Bruce Buck to leave his post over the incident.

It's taken the focus away from what was going to be an intriguing on-field battle. Chris Wilder's men have gone toe-to-toe - and bettered - Manchester United and Tottenham on their run to round six, and they'll cause Thomas Tuchel's side some problems.

However, Chelsea are ultimately on another level to Man Utd and Spurs and so should do the professional thing and beat the Championship outfit.

Prediction: Middlesbrough 1-2 Chelsea

Sunday 20 March

Crystal Palace vs Everton

Crystal Palace and Everton will be looking to maintain their upward momentum when they battle for a semi-final spot.

Patrick Vieira's Eagles staunchly held Manchester City to a 0-0 draw at Selhurst Park on Monday, while Frank Lampard's Toffees eased relegation fears with a 99th-minute winner against Newcastle on Thursday.

That quick turnaround is likely to be the difference though, and Palace should hand Everton their second Selhurst defeat of the season on Sunday.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 2-1 Everton

Southampton vs Manchester City

Manchester City's hopes of winning the treble continue when they travel to Southampton.

The Saints have already frustrated the Premier League leaders once in this fixture already this season, holding them to a 1-1 draw back in January.

After an excellent run though, Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have had a bit of a wobble as of late, and they are likely to fall to Pep Guardiola's winning machine here.

Prediction: Southampton 0-2 Man City

Nottingham Forest vs Liverpool

Two of England's most historic sides face off at the City Ground on Sunday evening as Nottingham Forest host Liverpool.

Jurgen Klopp will be competing at this stage of the FA Cup for the first time and comes up against a Forest side who have already dumped Arsenal and Leicester out of this year's competition.

Steve Cooper has worked miracles since his arrival at Forest, but this is set to be a bridge too far for his young side, though there's obviously no shame in that.

Prediction: Nottingham Forest 0-2 Liverpool

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