Arsenal v Blackpool

Arsene Wenger has vowed that as long as he is manager, Arsenal will never follow Manchester United's lead and desert the FA Cup for the sake of global glory.

"It seems incredible that they don't play in it because of fixture congestion but have now left themselves with nothing to do this weekend," he said.

Wenger is likely to field a severely under-strength team - but not through choice.

There are 10 players on the Highbury injury-list plus suspended Patrick Vieira - and a potential crisis in defence - with Martin Keown and Matthew Upson injured and Tony Adams suffering a recurrence of back trouble.

The Arsenal captain played through the UEFA Cup tie against Nantes on Thursday in agony and Wenger is desperate for the opportunity to rest him.

That could mean reserve fullbacks Nelson Vivas and Oleg Luzhny forming a strange centrehalf partnership, with youngster Rhys Weston on the bench.

Wenger will make a late check on Dennis Bergkamp's fitness to see if he can return after missing the last three games with a persistent groin strain, but whatever the case, Davor Suker - with eight goals this season despite just nine starts - looks certain to lead the attack.

Ipswich v Southampton

Southampton will be keen to avoid the fate that has befallen fellow Premiership sides West Ham, Derby, Middelsbrough and Watford in a tricky assignment away to Division One side Ipswich.