WATFORD face a major task if they are to reach the Sixth Round of the FA Cup for the first time in 15 years after they were handed a trip to either Blackburn Rovers or Sunderland in the Fifth Round draw on Monday, January 27.

Fresh from their excellent 1-0 victory over West Bromwich Albion at Vicarage Road, the Hornets' chances of knocking out another Premiership side would have been greatly boosted had they been drawn at home again, but, instead, they face a very difficult trip, regardless of who wins through in the replay at The Stadium of Light.

Dwight Yorke's last-minute equaliser forced a 3-3 draw at Ewood Park on Saturday after Blackburn had been trailing 3-1 at one stage.

Although current league form suggests the Hornets' may prefer a trip to struggling Sunderland, their last visit to Blackburn, in September 2000, yielded a 4-3 victory. In contrast, Watford were beaten 2-0 at Sunderland the year before.

The undoubted highlight of Monday's draw will be the mouth-watering clash between Manchester United and Arsenal at Old Trafford.

Full draw: Manchester United v Arsenal; Southampton or Millwall v Norwich City; Crystal Palace or Liverpool v Gillingham or Leeds United; Wolverhampton Wanderers v Rochdale; Fulham v Burnley; Stoke City v Chelsea; Blackburn Rovers or Sunderland v WATFORD; Sheffield United v Walsall. Ties to be played 15/16 February.

For full reaction to the draw, don't miss this week's edition of The Watford Observer.

January 27, 2003 14:00