FA Cup fourth round: Liverpool, Arsenal, Man City, Chelsea, Newcastle, Aston Villa and more in action this weekend
The FA Cup fourth round delivers a packed weekend of ties, with Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester City, Chelsea, Newcastle and Aston Villa among the headline names in action. Below is a rundown of the fixtures in Eastern Time (ET), plus the main talking points and what to watch as the competition shifts into its business end.
Key ties to watch
Liverpool host Brighton in Saturday evening’s showpiece, a meeting that promises ball‑playing intensity and a test for Liverpool’s rotation options. Earlier on Saturday, Aston Villa welcome Newcastle in a top‑flight clash that could reveal how both sides balance cup ambitions with league demands.
Manchester City face fourth‑tier Salford at home, a tie that should give Pep Guardiola scope to rest starters and blood youngsters while still expecting progression. Arsenal travel to Wigan on Sunday and will be expected to avoid an upset, but FA Cup history ensures nothing can be taken for granted.
Full weekend schedule (times in Eastern Time)
Friday (recaps): Hull 0-4 Chelsea; Wrexham 1-0 Ipswich.
Saturday:
- Burton vs West Ham — 7: 15 AM ET
- Burnley vs Mansfield Town — 10: 00 AM ET
- Manchester City vs Salford City — 10: 00 AM ET
- Norwich vs West Brom — 10: 00 AM ET
- Port Vale vs Bristol City — 10: 00 AM ET
- Southampton vs Leicester — 10: 00 AM ET
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle — 12: 45 PM ET
- Liverpool vs Brighton — 3: 00 PM ET
Sunday:
- Birmingham vs Leeds — 7: 00 AM ET
- Grimsby vs Wolves — 8: 30 AM ET
- Oxford United vs Sunderland — 9: 00 AM ET
- Stoke vs Fulham — 9: 00 AM ET
- Arsenal vs Wigan — 11: 30 AM ET
Monday:
- Macclesfield vs Brentford — 2: 30 PM ET
Form and selection storylines
Managers will be weighing cup progress against league priorities. West Ham have found positive momentum recently and may rest regulars at Burton, using the tie to keep fringe players sharp while preserving fitness for the relegation fight. Burnley, fresh from a rare league victory, could similarly look to protect momentum but will not overcommit to the cup if league survival looms larger.
At City, squad rotation is expected. Key attackers with heavy minutes in recent weeks will likely be managed to avoid fatigue, offering opportunities for squad players and academy graduates to stake a claim in a major knockout competition.
Giant‑killer potential and weekend upset risk
The FA Cup’s unpredictability is alive in this round. League One and League Two clubs relish the chance to topple top‑flight opponents on a big stage — Burton hosting West Ham and Mansfield visiting Burnley are the sort of ties that can swing either way if favourites lapse. Lower‑division teams often feed off set pieces, intensity and crowd belief; disciplined defending and clinical counterattacks will be their blueprint.
What to watch on matchday
Key indicators across the fixtures: the degree of rotation deployed by Premier League clubs; how quickly underdogs press and commit bodies forward; and which managers are willing to gamble with fringe talent for cup glory. Fitness management for star forwards will be central, particularly where congested fixture lists bite. Expect managers to speak post‑match about squad depth and the balance between cup runs and league objectives.
This fourth round offers a familiar FA Cup cocktail: a handful of heavyweight tactical battles, several earnest tests for fringe players, and the ever‑present chance of giant‑killing drama. Fans should brace for an entertaining weekend.
