FA Cup LIVE: Burton v West Ham, Man City v Salford, Villa v Newcastle and Liverpool v Brighton headline fourth round
The fourth round of the FA Cup promises drama and intrigue, with a mix of elite showdowns and David-versus-Goliath encounters. Among the fixtures on a packed weekend schedule are Burton Albion against West Ham United, Manchester City hosting Salford City, Aston Villa facing Newcastle United and Liverpool taking on Brighton & Hove Albion. Fans can expect everything from tactical chess matches to potential giant-killing upsets.
Giant-killers and upsets: Manchester City v Salford
Few ties carry the classic cup narrative like a top-flight heavyweight welcoming a lower-league challenger. Manchester City, armed with an embarrassment of riches in squad depth and star quality, will be expected to progress. Yet Salford City arrive with nothing to lose and everything to gain – the cup is fertile ground for shocks, and the incentive for a lower-league side to raise its game for one afternoon is enormous.
For City, rotation is a real consideration. The congested calendar forces managers to balance domestic priorities, which can open the door for smaller clubs to exploit any drop in intensity or cohesion. Salford will look to be compact, clinical on transitions and punish any lapses from a rotated lineup. The tie will be a measure of City’s depth and Salford’s resilience.
Big-name clashes and tactical battles
Aston Villa against Newcastle and Liverpool versus Brighton are matches that carry significant top-flight weight. Villa and Newcastle both possess attacking threats and defensive questions, making their meeting potentially open and unpredictable. Set-piece quality, midfield control and how each side manages transitions will likely determine the outcome.
Liverpool’s encounter with Brighton should be a tactical showcase. Liverpool’s high press and attacking fluidity versus Brighton’s organized build-up and strategic pressing set-up a compelling stylistic duel. Both sides boast managers who like to impose shape and tempo; the clash could hinge on which team better executes in tight areas and capitalizes on momentary lapses.
Lower-league grit, cup stories and what to watch
Burton Albion hosting West Ham captures the romance of the FA Cup: a League One outfit with limited resources pitted against Premier League opposition. For Burton, the task is to make the contest as uncomfortable as possible for their visitors — frustrate, limit space, and try to take set-piece opportunities. For West Ham, the challenge is to find rhythm and clinical finishing without underestimating a determined opponent.
Beyond individual matchups, there are broader storylines to follow. Squad rotation, player fatigue and the management of injuries will influence selection choices across clubs juggling multiple competitions. Watch for emerging young players given opportunities on a big stage and for fringe senior pros to use the cup to stake a claim for regular inclusion.
There will also be plenty of talking points after the final whistles: controversial refereeing decisions, VAR interventions where applicable, tactical tweaks made at half-time, and the emotional swings that make knockout football compelling. Earlier in the round, Leeds held an advantage at Birmingham, underscoring how ties can hinge on small moments and momentum.
Supporters should expect a weekend of contrasting moods — from the glee of an upset to the simmering relief of favourites who survive a scare. The FA Cup remains a unique theatre where form can be suspended and narratives rewritten in 90 minutes, and this fourth-round lineup offers a concentrated dose of those possibilities.
Coverage of the matches and post-match highlights will provide analysis and extended commentary on the key moments, helping viewers and readers unpack what they just witnessed and what it means for the remainder of the season.
