Excitement Builds For FA Cup Quarter-Finals This Weekend

The FA Cup quarter-finals kicked off today, March 29, 2025, with eight teams vying for a coveted spot in the semi-finals at Wembley next month. The first match of the day featured an all-Premier League clash between Fulham and Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage, while later in the day, Brighton faced Nottingham Forest at the Amex Stadium.

Fulham, who secured their place in the quarter-finals with a thrilling penalty shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, were looking to make history by clinching their first FA Cup trophy. The club came close in the 1974-75 season, reaching the final but ultimately falling short. Crystal Palace, on the other hand, has never lifted the FA Cup, suffering defeats in the finals of 1990 and 2016. This match marks the first time Palace has faced a Premier League side in this season's competition, having previously defeated Stockport, Doncaster, and Millwall to reach this stage.

The Fulham vs Crystal Palace match kicked off at 12:15 PM GMT, and fans tuned in to watch live on ITV1, with coverage starting at 11:30 AM. The atmosphere at Craven Cottage was electric as both teams were eager to secure a semi-final berth.

Later in the day, Brighton took on Nottingham Forest, who have been one of the surprise packages of the Premier League this season. Managed by Nuno Espirito Santo, Forest currently sit third in the league and are in pursuit of Champions League qualification. Their impressive form included a stunning 7-0 victory over Brighton in February. However, Brighton has rebounded strongly since that defeat, winning six consecutive matches before their draw against Manchester City ahead of the international break.

The Brighton vs Nottingham Forest match was set to kick off at 5:15 PM GMT, with coverage on BBC One starting at 5 PM. Brighton, currently seventh in the league, was determined to advance to the semi-finals and potentially make their first FA Cup final appearance since 1983.

In terms of team news, Brighton was without Tariq Lamptey due to an ankle injury, and several players, including Lewis Dunk, Solly March, Joel Veltman, and Matthew O'Riley, were undergoing late fitness tests. For Nottingham Forest, striker Chris Wood was sidelined due to an injury sustained on international duty, which opened the door for Taiwo Awoniyi to potentially start. The predicted line-ups for both teams saw Brighton fielding Verbruggen in goal, with a backline of Hinshelwood, van Hecke, Webster, and Estupinan. In midfield, Baleba and Gomez were expected to control the game, while Minteh, Rutter, Mitoma, and Pedro provided the attacking threat. Forest's lineup featured Sels in goal, supported by a defensive unit of Aina, Milenkovic, Murillo, and Williams. Dominguez and Anderson were tasked with controlling the midfield, while Elanga, Gibbs-White, and Hudson-Odoi supported Awoniyi in attack.

The odds for the Brighton vs Nottingham Forest match showed Brighton as favorites at 4/5, with a draw at 29/10 and Forest at 31/10. This match was not just a chance for silverware but also an opportunity for both teams to solidify their strong seasons.

On Sunday, the FA Cup action continues with two more quarter-final fixtures. Preston North End, the only Championship side remaining in the competition, will host Aston Villa at 1:30 PM GMT, with coverage on BBC One starting at 1:15 PM. The final match of the quarter-finals features Bournemouth against Manchester City at 4:30 PM GMT, with ITV1 broadcasting the action from 3:45 PM.

The draw for the FA Cup semi-finals will take place on Sunday after the Preston North End vs Aston Villa match, which is expected to conclude around 3:20 PM, assuming no extra time or penalties are required. The semi-final ties are scheduled to be played at Wembley on April 26 and 27, with the FA Cup final set for May 17, 2025.

As the excitement builds for today's matches, fans are reminded that the FA Cup offers a unique opportunity for clubs to chase glory. With several traditional powerhouses already knocked out, the competition is wide open, and any of the remaining teams could seize the moment and make a historic run to Wembley.

Stay tuned for all the action and updates as these quarter-final matches unfold, promising thrilling moments and unforgettable drama in one of football's most prestigious tournaments.