With the FA Cup draw on Sunday afternoon pairing the top four sides together, Saints chances of reaching the FA Cup final have increased greatly.

Saints trip to Sunderland although not welcome from a distant point on view in that it is the longest trip they could have got for an away side, is a game that they should be capable of achieving at least a draw if not better.

In the other ties, Liverpool travel to Arsenal and Manchester City host Cheslea meaning that two of the top four favourites for the competition will be eliminated, add to that another all Premier tie in Everton & Swansea and it will mean that the last eight will see Saints with a great chance of reaching the semi final if they can avoid the two winners of the biggest ties of the round.

With only one all Championship tie in Sheffield Wednesday V Charlton their could be 7 Premier clubs in that last 8, however there could be as low as 4 if a few shocks happened.

Saints truly have something to play for now and can go all out in this tie, whilst Sunderland will have a little more on their minds, not only fighting a relegation battle, but will be thinking of Wembley only two weeks later when they will meet Man City in the Capital One cup final.

Photo: Action Images

halftimeorange added 19:35 - Jan 26 Taking a lackadaisical Saints apart in the second half of our recent league game won't be far from the Sunderland players minds irrespective of where their management wants their impetus to be. I can't see them putting out a second string against us and unless we maintain our early momentum, which we display in most games until costly individual errors put us on the back foot, Saints might well be beaten. We are in danger of becoming a forty-five minute team - and it's not the second forty-five. We are undoubtedly more talented than Sunderland but, as you have so often said, how come we don't convert our chances. We seem to lack some grit.

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IanRC added 19:53 - Jan 26 Hope that cloggers Brown isn't playing and that the referee stamps on their over excited tackles, can't afford any more injuries.
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1962saint added 19:59 - Jan 26 There is full PL programme of fixtures on the Tuesday/Wednesday before the 5th round weekend. Saints are away at Hull on the Tuesday while Sunderland have a rehearsal of the League Cup Final away to Man City on the Wednesday. With our solid position clear of the relegation strugglers, Poch could rest some of players and give them a clear week to prepare.
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saintwizzler added 21:55 - Jan 26 Tough game at the Stadium of Shite.
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rjh added 22:04 - Jan 26 Great draw I think apart from the distance. Massive chance of a cup run.
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simmo400 added 13:05 - Jan 27 Not the best draw and not the worst. Will depend on the team MP picks, injuries etc. Think a draw will be our best bet on this one.
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