The FA Cup fourth round is upon us, and what a weekend it promises to be! From Premier League giants facing lower-league hopefuls to dramatic managerial returns and underdog stories, this stage of England’s most storied knockout competition is set for fireworks. Across the country, clubs from all tiers are gearing up for a shot at glory, with the action kicking off on Friday night and rolling right through to Monday.
Friday’s curtain-raisers see Chelsea and Wrexham take center stage. Liam Rosenior, recently appointed as Chelsea’s head coach, returns to Hull City—his former club—in a match brimming with narrative. Rosenior’s journey has been nothing short of remarkable. Once dismissed by Hull after guiding them to a top-half finish in the Championship, he now finds himself at the helm of a Chelsea side desperate for silverware. As Rosenior put it during his appointment, taking charge at Chelsea was a “dream beyond my wildest imagination.” The Blues, however, come into the tie off a frustrating 2-2 draw against Leeds United, and with the club’s high expectations, Rosenior knows there’s little margin for error. Chelsea’s last FA Cup outing was a comfortable win over Charlton, but Hull—now under Sergej Jakirovic and sitting fourth in the Championship—will pose a much sterner test, especially with striker Oli McBurnie among the league’s top scorers.
Hull’s owner, Acun Ilicali, reflected on Rosenior’s departure as his “most difficult decision” but insisted it was necessary due to differing visions for the club’s future. Since then, Hull have bounced back and are firmly in the playoff hunt, making Friday’s clash a true litmus test for both clubs. With the weather threatening to add another layer of unpredictability, fans can expect a gritty, passionate contest—one that could be decided by individual moments of brilliance or the bounce of the ball.
Simultaneously, Wrexham welcomes Ipswich Town in another Friday night showdown. It’s hard to believe that just five years ago, Wrexham languished in the National League, regularly bowing out of the FA Cup in the qualifying rounds. Now, propelled by new investment and a passionate fan base, they’re knocking on the door of the Premier League and aiming to reach the fifth round for the first time in 45 years. Their opponents, Ipswich, have regrouped impressively since their Premier League relegation and are themselves pushing for promotion. The atmosphere at the STōK Cae Ras will be electric, with Hollywood co-owner Ryan Reynolds expected in the stands. Wrexham’s thrilling upset of Nottingham Forest in the previous round has only fueled their belief. Ipswich, though, are no pushovers, and this one could go down to the wire—perhaps even to penalties, as some pundits have speculated.
The Saturday slate is stacked with intrigue. Manchester City, riding a six-match unbeaten streak (five wins, one draw), host Salford City at the Etihad Stadium in a local derby that, on paper, looks one-sided. City’s recent victories over Liverpool (2-1) and Fulham (3-0) have reignited their hunger for trophies after a brief drought, and their depth allows manager Pep Guardiola to rotate his squad without sacrificing quality. The probable lineup features Trafford in goal, with Aké, Allain, Stones, Lewis, Gonzalez, Semenyo, Cherki, Reijnders, Makaido, and Marmoush all likely to start. Erling Haaland, the club’s ironman, is expected to be rested after a heavy workload, while Bernardo Silva and Nico O’Reilly could also sit this one out.
Salford City, for their part, are enjoying a solid season in League Two and have their sights set on promotion. But memories of last year’s 8-0 drubbing at the hands of City in the FA Cup still linger. The Ammies, owned by a group of Manchester United legends, will be eager to prove they belong on this stage. Yet, the gulf in class is undeniable—City sit 72 places above Salford in the football pyramid. Still, the magic of the Cup means anything can happen, and Salford’s players will relish the chance to test themselves against some of the world’s best.
Elsewhere, Liverpool face Brighton and Hove Albion in one of two all-Premier League ties. The Reds, under Arne Slot, have endured a patchy league campaign but see the FA Cup as a vital opportunity to salvage their season. Slot admitted, “This season has not gone to plan,” but stressed the importance of a deep cup run to keep spirits high at Anfield. Brighton, meanwhile, are battling their own demons, sitting just above the relegation zone and desperate for a morale-boosting result. The stakes couldn’t be higher for either side.
Arsenal, another of the Premier League’s elite, take on Wigan Athletic on Sunday. The Gunners have had a tough week, losing Kai Havertz to injury and dropping points in the title race. Manager Mikel Arteta is looking for others to step up, with Gabriel Jesus earmarked for a starting role as he regains fitness. “Jesus, a menace to any defence at his free-wheeling best, is more than capable of making a difference,” wrote Nick Wright for Sky Sports. Wigan, though, will be determined to play spoilers and add another twist to this unpredictable Cup campaign.
Meanwhile, Macclesfield Town, the last non-league team standing, prepare for a historic tie against Brentford on Monday. After their shock win over holders Crystal Palace, the Silkmen have become the darlings of this year’s competition. Led by John Rooney, they’ve won six of their last seven league games and are dreaming of another giant-killing. Brentford, enjoying a strong season under Keith Andrews, will be wary of underestimating their hosts. The gap between the sides may be vast on paper, but, as Palace learned the hard way, anything is possible under the floodlights in Macclesfield.
Other notable fixtures include Newcastle United visiting Aston Villa in a clash of two injury-hit squads, Burnley hoping to ride newfound momentum against Mansfield Town, and Fulham traveling to Stoke City with dreams of a first-ever major trophy still alive. Birmingham City and Leeds United, both in fine form, square off on Sunday, while Grimsby Town look to continue their giant-killing run against Wolves.
With 14 Premier League teams still in the mix, the FA Cup fourth round is shaping up to be a classic. The romance of the competition is alive and well, with underdogs dreaming big and favorites wary of banana skins. As the action unfolds across the country, fans everywhere will be glued to their screens, hoping for drama, upsets, and maybe—just maybe—the next chapter in football folklore.
As the weekend unfolds, one thing’s for sure: the FA Cup never fails to deliver. With top-flight titans, hungry challengers, and fairy-tale stories all in play, every match is a potential classic. The journey to Wembley continues, and by Monday night, the field will be that much closer to Cup glory.