Women's FA Cup 4th round preview

Belles' Walker is looking forward to the fourth round

BBC Sport Online's women's football correspondent Tony Leighton previews the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup with Doncaster and England striker Karen Walker.

A visit to unbeaten Premier League leaders Arsenal is the daunting task facing Northern Division promotion chasers Leeds in the fourth round of the Women's FA Cup on Sunday.

Leeds, three points behind divisional leaders Oldham Curzon but with two games in hand, have lost only one League game to date and will not travel to London with any sense of inferiority for the most intriguing tie of the round.

They recently came unstuck against Arsenal's National Division title rivals Doncaster Belles in the Yorkshire County Cup, going down 3-1 with England striker Karen Walker hitting a hat-trick.

But Leeds were impressive in defeat - and Walker would certainly not rule out their chances of pulling off a major upset by knocking Arsenal out of the FA Cup.

The experienced Belles and England player said: "Arsenal really ought to win it, but Leeds are a good side and should not be underestimated.

"They got to the FA Cup semi-finals last year and only lost 2-1 to Croydon, who of course went on to win the Cup and the Premier League as well.

"Leeds gave us a good game in the Yorkshire Cup and they would certainly do us a favour if they beat Arsenal, who we regard as our main rivals for the big titles this season."

Walker and her Donny colleagues, who were FA Cup runners-up last season, will be travelling to Tranmere for one of three round four ties which pit top flight teams against each other.

Confidence

In the other big games Everton visit Millwall Lionesses while Sunderland entertain Charlton Athletic, who are holders having won the competition as Croydon last season.

Walker has her eyes fixed on a double Donny triumph of Premier League and FA Cup, the feat achieved by Croydon shortly before they amalgamated with Charlton.

She said: "We set our stall out at the start of the season to win every game, and that's what we've done so far in the League and the Cups.

"We should beat Tranmere and we are confident of doing that, but the other two games where National Division teams play against each other are difficult to forecast.

"The two away teams will be favourites, but Charlton don't seem to have really settled yet after the Croydon link-up so they may get problems at Sunderland - and Everton just might come unstuck at Millwall, although you would have to fancy Everton.

"Outside the National Division teams, the only side in with a real chance of going all the way is probably Fulham.

"They are two leagues below us but they've already shown that their move into professionalism is paying off.

"They hammered Charlton in the London Cup a couple of months ago, and I know from talking to some of their players that winning the FA Cup is their main aim this season."

South East Combination side Fulham, who trounced Southern Division Ipswich 10-0 in round three, face either Manchester City or Walsall in the fourth round.

Like seven other third round ties, this game has been delayed due to the countrywide waterlogging of pitches during the last couple of months.

All eight outstanding third round fixtures are to be played on January 7, with the winners then fulfilling their fourth round commitments a week later.

Only one National Division side, bottom of the table Liverpool, has to wait until Sunday to find out who they will meet in the fourth round.

Meanwhile, Southampton and Barry Town of the top flight each have to travel to London for their fourth round matches, Barry at Chelsea and Saints at Wimbledon.

AXA FA Women's Cup ties , Sunday 7 January

Fourth round

Arsenal v Leeds United; Chelsea v Barry Town; Derby County v Wolves; Millwall Lionesses v Everton; Newport County v Chester le Street; Sunderland v Charlton Athletic; Tranmere Rovers v Doncaster Belles; Wimbledon v Southampton Saints;

Outstanding Third round ties

Barking v Barnet (winners away to Blackpool Wren Rovers); Berkhamsted Town v Reading Royals (winners at home to Brighton & Hove Albion); Coventry City v Chester City (winners away to Liverpool); Oldham Curzon v Birmingham City (winners at home to Aston Villa); Parkgate v Mansfield (winners away to Bristol Rovers); Stowmarket v Swindon Town (winners at home to Enfield); Walsall v Manchester City (winners away to Fulham); West Ham United v Wembley Mill Hill (winners at home to Ilkeston Town);

Third round winners to play fourth round ties on 14 January