FA Cup Quarter-Finals: Man City Host Liverpool in Standout Tie This Weekend
The Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals take place this weekend, with Manchester City hosting Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium the standout fixture of the round. The four ties, scheduled across Saturday 4 and Sunday 5 April, also feature Chelsea against League One side Port Vale, Southampton versus Arsenal, and West Ham United taking on Leeds United.
The draw, made on 9 March, has produced a compelling set of matches that could define the trajectory of the competition, with three Premier League clubs facing lower-league opposition and the City-Liverpool clash promising to be one of the ties of the season.
The Fixtures
Manchester City, who won the FA Cup in 2023, progressed to the quarter-finals by defeating Newcastle 3-1, while Liverpool advanced after beating Wolves in the fifth round. The two clubs have met in some of the most memorable matches in recent English football history, and their quarter-final encounter is expected to draw a significant television audience.
Chelsea, who overcame Wrexham 4-2 after extra time in the fifth round, face Port Vale — the lowest-ranked side remaining in the competition and a League One outfit making their first quarter-final appearance since 1954. The Vale's run has been one of the stories of this year's competition.
Southampton, a Championship side, earned their place in the last eight with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Fulham courtesy of an injury-time penalty from Ross Stewart. They face Arsenal, who defeated Mansfield Town 2-1 in the previous round. West Ham United take on Leeds United, who reached the quarter-finals for the first time since 2003 after a comfortable 3-0 win over Norwich.
Format Changes
This season marks the first year in which FA Cup replays have been abolished from the first round proper, a change confirmed by the Football Association ahead of the 2024-25 season. The decision was controversial among lower-league clubs, who had relied on replay income, but has been welcomed by Premier League sides seeking to manage fixture congestion.
Why It Matters
The FA Cup remains one of the most prestigious domestic cup competitions in world football, and the quarter-finals represent the stage at which the field narrows to the final eight. For Port Vale and Southampton, reaching this stage represents a significant achievement and a potential windfall in prize money and exposure. For the Premier League clubs, the cup offers a route to silverware in what has been a competitive domestic season.
What's Next
The semi-finals are scheduled to be played at Wembley Stadium in April, with the final set for 16 May 2026. Full fixture details and coverage information are available from The FA and BBC Sport.
