Manchester City is set to face a challenging match against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter-finals, following the recent draw. Meanwhile, Chelsea will host League One side Port Vale after their impressive victory over Sunderland in the fifth round. In another notable tie, Arsenal, currently engaged in a fierce Premier League title race, will travel to Southampton, who are positioned eighth in the Championship, while Leeds United awaits the winner of the Monday night matchup between West Ham and Brentford.
Match Schedule and Key Dates
The FA Cup quarter-final fixtures are scheduled to take place over the weekend of April 4 and 5. This exciting stage of the tournament promises thrilling encounters as teams vie for a spot in the semi-finals. Notably, Arsenal has enjoyed a favorable draw, allowing them the opportunity to advance without facing any fellow Premier League competitors, which could ease their path to another trophy.
Arsenal’s Journey in the FA Cup
The Gunners have had a successful run in this year's tournament, having knocked out Mansfield and Wigan, both from League One, and previously overcoming Championship side Portsmouth in the third round. Their current form in the FA Cup is impressive, and they look poised to make another strong push towards the semi-finals.
City’s Challenging Schedule Ahead
For Manchester City, the road ahead looks particularly daunting. They are trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by seven points, albeit with a game in hand, and recently secured a win against Newcastle in the previous round of the FA Cup. As they prepare for an upcoming Champions League Round of 16 clash against Real Madrid, this upcoming fixture against Liverpool adds further pressure to their already packed schedule.
If City progresses in the FA Cup, they will find themselves balancing crucial matches, with a Champions League quarter-final first leg falling between the FA Cup clash and a Premier League trip to Chelsea. The second leg of their Champions League tie is also timed just before a potential title-deciding match against Arsenal, making April a critical month for the club.
Port Vale's Remarkable Journey
Port Vale emerged as the surprise package in the fifth round, eliminating Premier League side Sunderland with a narrow 1-0 victory. Their reward is an even tougher challenge as they prepare to visit Chelsea, the Club World Cup champions. Currently situated at the bottom of the League One table and eight points adrift, Vale is the lowest-ranked team remaining in the competition. This marks their first quarter-final appearance since 1954, adding to the excitement surrounding their journey in this year’s FA Cup.
Full FA Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures
The complete lineup for the FA Cup quarter-finals is as follows, with matches scheduled for the weekend of April 4/5:
Southampton vs Arsenal
Chelsea vs Port Vale
Manchester City vs Liverpool
West Ham or Brentford vs Leeds
Key Dates for the 2025/26 FA Cup:
Quarter-finals: Saturday/Sunday, April 4/5
Semi-finals: Saturday, April 25
Final: Saturday, May 16
