FA Cup LIVE: Packed fourth-round schedule features Man City v Salford, Liverpool v Brighton, Arsenal v Wigan and more
The FA Cup fourth round delivers a busy weekend of knockout football, with heavyweight clashes and David-vs-Goliath ties lining up across the schedule. Big names travel to lower-league foes while several top-tier matchups promise high-stakes action as clubs bid to stay in the competition.
Weekend line-up and kickoff times (ET)
The fourth-round programme spreads across the weekend. Several matches have confirmed kickoff times in Eastern Time that fans should note:
- Birmingham v Leeds — 7: 00 AM ET
- Grimsby v Wolves — 8: 30 AM ET
- Arsenal v Wigan — 11: 30 AM ET
Other marquee ties scheduled this round include Manchester City v Salford, Burton Albion v West Ham, Aston Villa v Newcastle, Liverpool v Brighton and Stoke v Fulham. Exact kickoff times for some of these matches vary by venue and broadcaster arrangements, but they are all set to take place across the weekend programme.
Key storylines and potential upsets
This stage of the competition typically produces a mix of routine progressions and genuine shocks. The standout narratives to follow this weekend are:
- Top-flight tests against lower-league opposition: Matches such as Manchester City v Salford and Burton Albion v West Ham encapsulate the magic and peril of the Cup. Heavy favourites cannot afford complacency; lower-league sides will be motivated, seeking the kind of giant-killing that fuels FA Cup folklore.
- Big-name clashes: Aston Villa v Newcastle and Liverpool v Brighton carry Premier League implications beyond the Cup. These ties act as mid-season measuring sticks, giving managers a chance to rotate while putting key tactical ideas under pressure in knockout conditions.
- Local pride and momentum swings: Midlands and northern fixtures — including Birmingham v Leeds and Stoke v Fulham — have the added spice of local rivalries and form-driven confidence. For promoted or struggling sides, a Cup run can offer a morale boost and make league battles even more urgent.
Keep an eye on squad selection choices. Clubs juggling league ambitions and European commitments may deploy rotated lineups, opening windows for fringe players to make decisive contributions. Conversely, some managers will treat the FA Cup as a prime trophy opportunity and name strong starting XIs.
What to watch on matchday
Tactical battles and individual matchups will shape outcomes this round. Watch how managers set up defensively against probing attackers and how lower-league teams attempt to disrupt the rhythm of possession-based opponents. Set-pieces and game management under pressure often decide ties between mismatched opponents.
For neutral viewers, the appeal is twofold: genuine knockout tension and the chance to spot emerging talent. Young players and loanees can make headlines with standout Cup performances, and managers who get the balance right between risk and caution often advance.
The fourth round always carries the possibility of memorable moments — late equalizers, penalty shootouts, and tactical masterclasses. Expect a full weekend of drama, with the winners progressing deeper into a competition steeped in history and unpredictability.
