The FA Cup quarter-finals kick-start the final stretch of the domestic season, taking place on the weekend of 4th and 5th April after the conclusion of the international break.
We have four last-eight clashes to look forward to, including a seismic encounter between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad, and another all-Premier League contest between West Ham and Leeds.
Meanwhile, League One basement club Port Vale will be looking to conjure up a gargantuan shock away to stuttering Chelsea, while in-form Southampton host treble-cashing Arsenal on the south coast.
Here’s our pick of the potential stats that could occur across the weekend.
Stats you might see
Manchester City vs Liverpool
- Manchester City are looking to progress through to a record-extending eighth successive FA Cup semi-final, and they can extend their 100% winning QF record under Pep Guardiola to nine in the competition.
- Liverpool are chasing a fifth straight win over Man City in the FA Cup, having won each of the last four clashes in 2022, 2003, 2001, and 1988.
Manchester City’s fifth round victory over Newcastle was their 19th win in their last 21 FA Cup matches across the last four seasons. During this time they have only been beaten in the finals by Manchester United in 2024 and Crystal Palace last season.
Man City’s recent quarter-final record is stunning. They have progressed through to the semi-finals in each of the last seven seasons – already a record – and have won all eight quarter-finals in the competition since Pep Guardiola took charge in 2016.
On top of this they are enjoying a 17 game winning streak at home in the FA Cup since losing to Middlesbrough back in January 2015.
However, if City want to extend this winning run then they will have to do something they’ve not done since 1973: beat Liverpool in the FA Cup. Liverpool head to the Etihad seeking their fifth straight win over Man City in the competition, having won each of the last four meetings in 2022, 2003, 2001, and 1988.
But, since 2015, the Merseyside club have only advanced into the semi-finals once; when they lifted the trophy in 2021-22.
Chelsea vs Port Vale
- If Chelsea win, they’ll have overcome each of their last 25 FA Cup opponents from a lower division.
- Port Vale could reach the semi-finals for the first time in 72 years – and only the second time ever.
Port Vale’s reward for stunning top-flight Sunderland in the fifth round is a visit to Stamford Bridge against eight-time victors Chelsea in what will be the club’s first FA Cup quarter-final since 1954.
This will be the first meeting between the sides for nearly 100 years since Port Vale won 1-0 in the old Division Two back in 1929. A repeat result would see Vale, who are a whopping 11 points adrift of safety at the bottom of League One, roar into the last-four for the first time in 72 years – when they played in the Third Division North – and for only their second time ever.
As for Chelsea, they head into the game on the back of a wretched four successive defeats. This is the club’s only remaining chance of silverware and they will be the overwhelming favourites to claim the win as they bid to reach their seventh FA Cup semi-final in the last 10 years – and 13th in the last 21 years.
After all, the Blues have progressed from their last 25 FA Cup ties against clubs from a lower division, dating back to January 2015.
Southampton vs Arsenal
- Southampton are aiming to reach their third FA Cup semi-final in the last nine years.
- Arsenal are hoping to reach their first FA Cup semi-final since they last won the trophy in 2019-20.
Arsenal have reached the FA Cup quarter-finals for the first time since they last won the trophy in Mikel Arteta’s first season in 2020. The Gunners, who remain in the mix for a treble, visit the Championship’s promotion contenders Southampton, who booted Arteta’s troops out of the 2020-21 edition when they were holders.
The Saints may still be hunting for their first FA Cup trophy since 1975-76, but they can draw on a decent record in recent years, with this their fourth quarter-final in the last nine seasons, while they beat Fulham away in the previous round.
In that same nine year period, Arsenal have only reached the quarter-finals twice, although they did – as mentioned – lift the trophy in 2020.
West Ham vs Leeds
- West Ham are gunning for their first semi-final appearance since finishing runners-up in 2005-06.
- Leeds will be looking to reach the semi-finals for the first time since 1986-87.
West Ham will be competing in their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2015-16. The three-time winners will be looking to advance to the semi-finals for the first time since 2005-06 when they reached the final, where they finished runners-up to Liverpool on penalties following a thrilling 3-3 draw. Lost five of their last six quarter-finals.
Leeds will be playing in their first-quarter-final since 2002-03, while they’ve not carved out a win at this stage of the competition in any of their last three games dating back to 1986-87. The Whites have lost their last two FA Cup games against the Hammers, who they haven’t beaten in the competition since 1924.
