Garnacho gets his chance to stake a claim, a big day for Port Vale and more scheduling concerns for Guardiola
Who would have thought approaching mid-March Wolves would be the Midlands team – at least in the Premier League – with the most to cheer? Aston Villa, while fourth and still capable of securing a place in the Champions League, are wobbling. Nottingham Forest are fighting relegation. In the Championship, Coventry are at the summit but West Brom and Leicester are in danger of dropping into League One. Wolves and third-tier Mansfield are the only Midlands sides remaining in the FA Cup and, while the latter host Arsenal, the former may quietly fancy their chances when Liverpool visit Molineux for the second time in four days. Rob Edwards’s side triumphed on Tuesday and, while it got lost amid the stoppage-time drama, he made several changes with Friday’s Cup tie in mind. “Does it have to be one or the other?” Edwards said. “No, so we are going to try and win both. It is going to be a really exciting night.” Ben Fisher
Wolves v Liverpool, Friday 8pm (all kick-offs GMT)
In the last round, against League One opposition, Arsenal were four goals ahead within half an hour. It feels unlikely this scenario will be repeated at Field Mill but the title chasers’ squad depth is built for such occasions. Christian Nørgaard was brought in from Brentford in the summer to be the level head in difficult situations. Mansfield will make the midfield area congested and it will be up to the 31-year-old Dane, who celebrates his birthday next week, to navigate it for the Premier League leaders. He is yet to start in the league but has been a regular in cup competitions. Against Chelsea at the weekend, he was required to come on for a limping Declan Rice, a small reminder that injuries can occur at any time and if they do, Nørgaard will need to be ready. Time on the pitch at Mansfield could be ideal. Will Unwin
