The FA Cup has a certain magic about it that, whether the competition still seems important, always manages to garner the attention of football fans across the country, be it Lincoln City or Manchester City.

The main draw, of course, is the potential of the cup upset. When little meets large it’s generally the case that the might of footballs elite clubs is enough to topple the plucky upstarts.

But sometimes, like when David met Goliath, Liverpool met Barnsley in 2008, Shrewsbury met Everton in 2003 or Barnsley met Chelsea in 2008, little can trump large.

So here are the four upsets that could take place this weekend.

1) Brighton v Newcastle

Brighton, lead by Gus Poyet are just one win away from the playoff spots in the Championship and have lost just once and in their last five games.  Newcastle have won just once in their last 6 games and have had five losses around that.  Conceding seven goals against Arsenal was a shock, losing Demba Ba in midweek could be unsettling in their forward line.

Alan Pardew’s side are in a dire slump and Brighton could be another step to fall down as their season continues to tumble away.

2) Luton v Wolves

Luton Town are back in the playoff spots in the Blue Square Bet Conference and, despite a run of indifferent form, all things are pretty sunny in the south.

Wolves on the other hand are a side lost. After crashing out of the Premier League last season and finding life under new manager Stale Solbakken to be a bit of a nightmare. Languishing in 18^th place in the Championship, and with seven losses in their last ten games, the Solbakken plan is not paying off in the Midlands.  They struggle to score and fail to keep clean sheets and a trip down to the plucky Hatters is the last thing they need.  Keep an eye out for a non-league scalping.

3) Aston Villa v Ipswich

This one’s pretty obvious. Villa, despite their draw at Swansea, are still a side reeling from a most miserable of Christmases while Ipswich are a side on the upturn. Mick McCarthy’s arrival at the Tractor Boys has flipped the script on a season that saw them sat with just seven points from their first 12 games of the season.

Five wins in eight for the Championship side compared to 17 goals conceded over Christmas for the Premier League side sees the form table stacked in McCarthy’s favour, while the Ipswich manager will have the extra incentive of proving all the people who said he’s not good enough to manage a Premier League club wrong.

4) Swansea v Arsenal

Their win on the first of December at the Emirates was definitely considered a low point for Arsene Wenger’s side this season, but many will not think that a Swansea win, at home, will be too much of a shock. 

Arsenal, unlike their Welsh opponents, will be gunning [no pun intended] for this item of silverware, especially after crashing out of the League Cup quarter final against Bradford City.

Wenger’s trophy cabinet is looking too bare for its own good, while Swansea are a side who are more concerned about Premier League survival then by cup competitions.

The Gunners will want this, they need it. Swansea could upset the odds and leave Arsene staring at another trophyless season. The Champions League or bust?