Wednesday night’s games confirmed the remaining teams in the final eight of the FA Cup, with six Premier League sides still in contention for football’s oldest cup trophy.
From reigning holders Manchester City and their city rivals Manchester United to Championship leaders Leicester City, the quarter-final landscape makes fans’ anticipation reach fever pitch.
When will the FA Cup quarter-finals take place?
It’s now a near-certainty that the FA Cup last-eight will profoundly impact the Premier League schedule, with the quarter-final ties coming on the weekend of March 16/17.
Though all six top-flight clubs were supposed to be in league action on the same weekend, their Premier League fixtures have had to be pushed back due to their cup commitments.
Where to watch the FA Cup quarter-finals?
While BBC has the match coverage for the English most prestigious cup competition, fans in the United Kingdom can also watch the FA Cup on TV.
FA Cup quarter-final draw
Manchester United vs Liverpool
Manchester City v Newcastle United
Chelsea v Leicester City
Wolves v Coventry City
Predictions
Clash of Titans
Man Utd’s League Cup title defence went wrong at the second hurdle, yet the Red Devils could compensate for that disappointment with their first FA Cup trophy since 2015/16.
Casemiro’s late header inspired Erik ten Hag’s charges to a nail-biting 1-0 win at Nottingham Forest, setting up a mouth-watering quarter-final tie against familiar foes Liverpool.
Fresh off lifting a landmark 10th League Cup title last weekend, Jurgen Klopp’s kindergarten thumped second-tier Southampton 3-0 to maintain the club’s pursuit of their ninth FA Cup triumph.
Man Utd and Liverpool boast 20 FA Cup titles between the two of them, making this contest a headline-grabber.
And while United’s effort to close the gap on the competition record-holders Arsenal coincides with their only remaining chance to avoid a trophyless campaign, Liverpool’s motives are more romantic.
Klopp is eager to mark his swansong season at Anfield with a historic quadruple, and winning only his second FA Cup title is a crucial element of that plan.
With the Reds expected to welcome several first-team stars back from injuries by the time this showdown takes place, they’ll be in a prime position to uphold their two-game unbeaten run against United.
Prediction: Liverpool into semis
‘David vs Goliath’
Man City confirmed their ambition to become the first side since Arsenal in 2013/14 and 2014/15 to win back-to-back FA Cup titles with a scintillating 6-2 victory at Luton Town.
Erling Haaland’s dazzling performance at Kenilworth Road caught Rob Edward’s side off guard as last season’s Premier League Golden Boot winner scored a jaw-dropping quintet.
Newcastle could be Pep Guardiola’s talisman’s next victim after the Magpies navigated a nerve-shredding penalty shoot-out to dispatch Blackburn Rovers in the previous round.
However, Eddie Howe’s men have only won once in their last 12 competitive encounters against the perennial Premier League champions (D2, L9).
On top of that, a long-standing injury crisis at St James’ Park has disrupted the team’s chemistry, making this an easy pick.
After pulling off several promising FA Cup results, Newcastle will give City a run for their money, though it’ll most likely count for nothing.
Prediction: Man City into semis
Will money finally buy success?
It’s been almost two years of unprecedented investments from new Chelsea owner Todd Boehly, but Stamford Bridge’s trophy cabinet is still collecting dust.
Wednesday’s last-gasp 3-2 win against Leeds United left the Blues’ quest for their first piece of silverware in the post-Roman Abramovich era alive after a 1-0 extra-time loss to Liverpool in the League Cup final.
Standing between Mauricio Pochettino and his first honour on English soil will be Leicester City, who defied the odds to claim a 1-0 extra-time win against Bournemouth in the fifth round.
Despite many flaws of the Argentine’s regime in West London, Chelsea have often fared well in matches they entered as pre-game favourites, leading us to believe the Foxes shouldn’t pose a threat.
Prediction: Chelsea into semis
Underdogs tackle dark horses
Wolverhampton’s renaissance under Gary O’Neil could result in the club’s first FA Cup victory since 1960, or that’s what the Molineux faithful want to believe after a 1-0 win against Brighton & Hove Albion.
The Wanderers fans shouldn’t get ahead of themselves, although they face a relatively winnable quarter-final tie against Coventry on paper.
If the recent FA Cup editions have taught us something – miracles are possible. The Singers must upset the apple cart to live up to that trend following a 5-0 rout of lower-league Maidstone in round five.
Given the unpredictable nature of this competition, Mark Robins’ side will fancy their chances in the West Midlands, but Wolves have a significant upper hand in this match-up.
Prediction: Wolverhampton into semis
