The draw for the quarter-finals of the FA Cup has set up a fascinating mix of heavyweight clashes and classic FA Cup underdog stories as the race to Wembley intensifies.
Quarter-final fixtures
- Chelsea vs Port Vale
- Manchester City vs Liverpool
- Southampton vs Arsenal
- West Ham United vs Leeds United
The matches will be played over the weekend of 4–5 April, with four places in the FA Cup semi-finals at stake.
Who was knocked out in the last round?
The fifth round produced several dramatic moments and a few notable exits.
- Sunderland were the biggest casualty, losing 1–0 to Port Vale in one of the shocks of the competition.
- Fulham were eliminated by Southampton after a late penalty decided the tie.
- Brentford fell to West Ham on penalties after a dramatic draw.
- Norwich City were beaten by Leeds United.
- Wolverhampton Wanderers were knocked out by Liverpool.
- Newcastle United exited after defeat to Manchester City.
Lowest-ranked team left
The lowest-ranked club still in the competition is League One side Port Vale.
Their reward for a historic run — including that famous win over Sunderland — is a trip to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, a tie that represents both a huge challenge and a financial windfall for the club.
Tie of the round
The standout fixture is undoubtedly Manchester City vs Liverpool.
Two of the biggest clubs in English football meeting at this stage guarantees a high-quality contest, with both sides regularly competing for major honours domestically and in Europe. It is the type of match that could easily have been a final.
Who are the favourites?
Despite the open nature of the draw, Manchester City remain among the favourites to lift the trophy, given their recent dominance in domestic competitions and the strength of their squad.
However, Arsenal, Liverpool, and Chelsea will all believe they have a genuine shot at reaching Wembley and lifting the famous trophy.
The bigger picture
With Premier League giants still heavily represented but underdogs like Port Vale still dreaming, the FA Cup continues to deliver the magic that has defined it for generations.
One thing is certain: the quarter-finals promise drama, giant-killings, and possibly another twist on the road to Wembley.
