Round 26 Results 25/26
1 - 2
We Predicted
Newcastle vs Bournemouth
Final Score: 2 - 2
The Game Notes: Bournemouth have been a proper awkward matchup for Newcastle lately - they’re unbeaten in the last few head-to-heads, including nicking a big win at St James’ Park last season, so this feels like another tight one. Add in Bournemouth coming off a buzzer-beater league win in midweek and Newcastle fresh from a draining seven-goal thriller (with another big game just days later), and an away smash-and-grab 2-1 isn’t hard to see.
5 - 1
We Predicted
Man City vs Exeter
Final Score: 10 - 1
The Game Notes: City have opened 2026 with three straight league draws, so this feels like the perfect home tie to reset and let their squad depth do the talking - the level gap to a mid-table League One visitor is massive. Exeter are in a decent patch domestically and might nick one if the game gets stretched, but over 90 minutes the Etihad usually turns these into a one-way scoreboard, hence 5-1.
1 - 2
We Predicted
Spurs vs Aston Villa
Final Score: 1 - 2
The Game Notes: Villa have already had the better of Spurs recently - they beat them in the league earlier this season and even edged the last FA Cup meeting - so they’ll fancy this one again. Spurs have been a bit sticky in the league lately with wins hard to come by, while Villa’s recent results (including solid away performances) suggest they can keep it tight and then nick it late for a 2-1.
1 - 4
We Predicted
Charlton vs Chelsea
Final Score: 1 - 5
The Game Notes: Charlton are down in the lower half of the Championship and coming off a draw last weekend, so this is a big occasion - but it’s also a huge step up in pace and quality. Chelsea haven’t been perfect in the league lately (a draw at Man City followed by a derby loss midweek), yet this feels like the kind of cup tie where their depth takes over and the chances keep coming, even if the hosts nick one at The Valley.
0 - 3
We Predicted
Portsmouth vs Arsenal
Final Score: 1 - 4
The Game Notes: Arsenal come into this as league leaders and they’ve just shown their defensive grip again with a 0-0 against Liverpool, so they should be able to keep a lid on things from the off. Portsmouth are 21st in the Championship and were just hit for five on New Year’s Day, so this is a massive jump in tempo - with Arsenal also keen to avoid any early-round drama, a steady 3-0 away win makes sense.
1 - 2
We Predicted
Man Utd vs Brighton
Final Score: 1 - 2
The Game Notes: Brighton have made a habit of turning up at Old Trafford in recent seasons (they’ve won three of their last four visits), and they arrive off a solid week that included taking a point at Man City and keeping things tight. United, meanwhile, have been stuck in “nearly but not quite” mode with a run of league draws and a few sloppy goals conceded lately - so it wouldn’t be a shock if this becomes another nervy night that Brighton nick 2-1.
