Aussies Abroad weekend preview: Caltex Socceroos chasing FA Cup glory

The FA Cup takes centre stage in England this weekend with a host of Aussies involved, while there could be a debut for a Caltex Socceroo in France.

Here's a look at what's in store for some of our national team stars and hopefuls.

AUSSIES IN MAGIC OF THE CUP

Premier League survival takes a back seat for Aaron Mooy and Mat Ryan’s clubs this weekend with Huddersfield and Brighton and Hove Albion both involved in FA Cup fourth round ties.

Mooy’s Terriers will fancy their chances of advancing as they host Championship strugglers Birmingham City. Victory in the previous round of the Cup is Huddersfield’s only success in their last eight matches.

Ryan’s Brighton are also on the slide in the EPL but also face lower league opposition. The Seagulls have a trickier tie though, travelling to the Riverside to take on Tony Pulis’ Middlesbrough.

Elsewhere in the Cup, Jackson Irvine’s Hull City host Nottingham Forest, who knocked our Arsenal in the previous round. James Meredith’s Millwall should progress against lower-league Rochdale, while Callum Elder’s League One side Wigan take on EPL outfit West Ham.

Callum Elder
Callum Elder scored in Wigan's third round replay win over Bournemouth.

CALTEX SOCCEROOS MATCH-UP IN CHAMPIONSHIP

With their FA Cup run ended in the previous round, it’s a return to league action for Bailey Wright’s Bristol City and Massimo Luongo’s QPR.

And the pair will face-off at Ashton Gate in a crucial Championship clash for both sides, for very different reasons.

Bristol have gone six games without a win in the league to drop to fifth, and also had the disappointment of losing their Carabao Cup semi-final against Manchester City in midweek.

While QPR need the points to avoid getting themselves into a relegation battle in the second half of the season.

Bailey Wright
Bailey Wright will hope his Bristol City side can get back to winning ways at the expense of Massimo Luongo.

GERSBACH TO DEBUT?

Young Caltex Socceroos left-back is in line to make his first appearance for Ligue 2 club Lens since making the switch from Rosenborg last week.

Lens are at home against Orleans on Saturday morning (AEDT).

Alex Gersbach
Alex Gersbach could make his debut for new club Lens.

ON THE CONTINENT

There could be another all-Aussies battle in Scotland, with Tom Rogic’s Celtic hosting Jamie Maclaren’s new club Hibernian.

Rogic is battling injury and appears unlikely to play but Maclaren should be in Hibs’ squad after making his debut off the bench in midweek.

Elsewhere, keepers Danny Vukovic (Genk v Sint Truiden) and Mark Birighitti (NAC Breda v VVV Venlo) are both at home in Belgium and the Netherlands respectively, while Craig Goodwin and Kenneth Dougall go to Heerenveen with Sparta Rotterdam in the Eredivisie.

In Germany, Mat Leckie’s Hertha Berlin will face a tough test at Werder Bremen, while Aziz Behich and his Bursaspor side travel to Alanyaspor in Turkey’s Super Lig.

Craig Goodwin
Craig Goodwin's Sparta Rotterdam will be desperate for a win in the Eredivisie.