FA Cup fourth round weekend: heavyweights, upsets and a Looney Tunes twist
The FA Cup returns this weekend with a full fourth-round slate, marquee clashes across the country and the ever-present threat of a giant-killing. Adding to the spectacle, former Premier League striker Chris Sutton has teamed up with Looney Tunes duo Daffy Duck and Porky Pig for a lighthearted prediction session — with an extra layer of AI picks in the mix.
Star turns on and off the pitch
The fourth round’s narrative arc takes a whimsical detour as Sutton enlists Daffy and Porky — fresh from their feature film release The Day The Earth Blew Up — to forecast outcomes across all 16 ties. In classic fashion, Daffy is bullish about sweeping the slate, while Porky leans into sportsmanship and keeping the fun front and center. The pair riff on the romance of the competition, even confusing a teacup for the trophy in a bit that underlines the Cup’s British lore. It’s a playful counterpoint to the weekend’s high-stakes fixtures and a reminder that the FA Cup revels in drama as much as it does in surprise.
Headline ties to watch
Aston Villa versus Newcastle headlines Saturday’s lineup and feels like a barometer for two sides with European ambitions. Villa’s home aura meets Newcastle’s direct threat — a combustible clash where transitions and set pieces may decide it.
Later, Liverpool host Brighton in a meeting of high-pressing identities. Midfield control and wide overloads will be decisive; expect a tactical chess match that tests squad depth.
Elsewhere, Arsenal’s meeting with Wigan carries the weight of expectation for a side that craves silverware, while Manchester City’s clash with Salford turns the spotlight onto a classic Cup dynamic: a superpower against ambitious lower-league opposition.
Rosenior’s return sets Chelsea sub-plot
One of the round’s most compelling personal storylines comes with Liam Rosenior returning to Hull at the helm of Chelsea. It’s a swift reunion with familiar faces for a coach tasked with imposing standards at a club that measures progress by trophies. Chelsea handled business in the previous round and will expect to dictate again, but Hull’s form and the presence of the Championship’s prolific marksman Oli McBurnie offer a timely reality check. For Rosenior, this tie functions as a credibility test and an opportunity to consolidate momentum after the sting of a recent cup exit elsewhere.
Giant‑killers circle their moment
Wrexham’s home tie with Ipswich brings modern Cup romance into sharp focus. With both clubs navigating a congested Championship picture, squad rotation could open a window for audacity. The hosts thrive under the spotlight; Ipswich, chasing consistency, will know the margin for error is thin.
Burton against West Ham offers another classic ambush setting: a compact ground, early duels, and a Premier League side weighing rotation against rhythm. Southampton’s meeting with Leicester revisits a rivalry built on tempo and transition, while Grimsby versus Wolves gives the weekend a coastal upset vibe. Oxford United hosting Sunderland and Stoke against Fulham add further layers where set plays and defensive concentration could flip expectations.
And then there’s Macclesfield welcoming Brentford on Monday — a stage primed for underdogs to stretch belief and force top-flight adjustments deep into the tie.
What’s at stake for the elite
For contenders juggling league aims with European or domestic priorities, this round is a stress test. Leaders with trophy ambitions — Arsenal, Liverpool, Manchester City, Chelsea — must strike the right balance between rotation and respect for the Cup’s volatility. Early control, sharpness in the penalty area, and clean set‑piece execution tend to separate comfort from chaos at this stage. With fixture lists tightening, the temptation to rest starters is real, yet the FA Cup’s history keeps punishing complacency. Expect managers to front‑load intensity, seek quick strikes, and then manage workloads if scorelines allow.
When the action unfolds
The fourth round stretches from Friday through Monday (ET), offering a steady drumbeat of storylines across all four days. Friday opens with double intrigue, Saturday packs the schedule with heavyweight meetings, Sunday leans into tradition and potential upsets, and Monday closes with a tie tailor‑made for late drama. It’s the FA Cup distilled: big names, loud atmospheres, and the irresistible possibility that someone, somewhere, writes themselves into folklore.
