As the FA Cup quarter-finals kick off this weekend, excitement is palpable across England as clubs vie for a chance to etch their names in history. For many of the eight remaining teams, this represents a rare opportunity to claim the coveted trophy, which has eluded them for decades. With Manchester City as the only major powerhouse left in the mix, the stage is set for potential upsets and fairy-tale endings.
The quarter-finals will see four matches unfold over the weekend of March 29-30, 2025, featuring Fulham against Crystal Palace, Brighton taking on Nottingham Forest, Preston North End facing Aston Villa, and Bournemouth squaring off with Manchester City. Each match holds its own narrative, with teams eager to capitalize on the chance to advance to the semi-finals.
On Saturday, March 29, the action begins with Fulham hosting Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage at 8:05 a.m. ET. This London derby promises to be a thrilling encounter, as both teams are established Premier League sides. Crystal Palace comes into the match with an impressive record, remaining unbeaten in their last six visits to Fulham, including a 2-0 victory earlier this season. However, Fulham has shown its mettle by knocking out reigning champions Manchester United in the previous round, setting the stage for a dramatic clash.
Fulham, which has not reached the FA Cup semi-finals since 2002, will look to Brazilian forward Rodrigo Muniz, who has been a bright spot with three goals in this season’s competition. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace, aiming for its fifth FA Cup semi-final appearance since 1990, welcomes back striker Jean-Philippe Mateta, who has recovered from a serious ear injury. His return could provide the edge Palace needs to advance.
Later on Saturday, Nottingham Forest will visit Brighton & Hove Albion at 1:05 p.m. ET. This match marks the first-ever FA Cup meeting between the two clubs, and Forest has had the upper hand in their league encounters this season, securing a 7-0 victory and a 2-2 draw against Brighton. However, Forest has struggled in recent FA Cup quarter-finals, losing their last three, while Brighton aims to build on its two consecutive quarter-final victories from previous seasons.
Brighton, currently in seventh place in the Premier League, has a realistic shot at qualifying for the Champions League, but the allure of winning the FA Cup for the first time could prove irresistible. The stage is set for a thrilling contest as both teams look to make their mark.
On Sunday, March 30, Preston North End will take on Aston Villa at 8:20 a.m. ET at Deepdale Stadium. This match is significant for Preston, the only non-Premier League club left in the tournament, as they seek to end a 37-year trophy drought since their last FA Cup title in 1938. However, their record against top-flight teams has been dismal, with only one win in their last 15 encounters against Villa, who are eager to reclaim their status as a major force in English football.
Aston Villa, under the management of Unai Emery, has returned to the Champions League quarter-finals this season and aims to capture its first trophy since 1996. With a rich history and a strong squad, Villa will be favored to advance, but Preston's underdog status could lead to a surprise.
The final match of the quarter-finals features Bournemouth hosting Manchester City at 11:20 a.m. ET. Bournemouth, a club that has never reached a cup final, is riding high after defeating City, Arsenal, and Tottenham at home this season. Manager Andoni Iraola has instilled a forward-thinking approach, and the Vitality Stadium could become a fortress for the Cherries.
Manchester City, despite being the bookmakers' favorites, has struggled this season, currently sitting fifth in the Premier League and looking to salvage their campaign through the FA Cup. With Ederson potentially returning from injury to bolster their defense, City will aim to assert their dominance and avoid another upset against a team that has already proven capable of defeating them.
This year's FA Cup is particularly intriguing, as seven of the eight clubs have not won a major trophy this century, with four of them—Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Brighton—never having lifted the Cup. Nottingham Forest last won it in 1959, Aston Villa in 1957, and Preston in 1938, making this tournament a chance for history to be rewritten.
The absence of Manchester United, the previous holders, has opened the door for other clubs to step into the limelight. The FA Cup's single-elimination format means that every match is a do-or-die affair, adding to the excitement. There will be no match replays, and if a game is tied after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties will determine the winner.
As teams prepare for their respective matches, the stakes couldn't be higher. For clubs like Fulham and Crystal Palace, who have faced heartbreak in past finals, this could be their chance to finally taste success. For Bournemouth, a victory would mark a historic first, while Preston North End seeks to return to the glory days of the past.
With the backdrop of Wembley in sight, the FA Cup quarter-finals offer a tantalizing glimpse of what could be a dramatic weekend of football. The fairy tale narratives are alive, and as the matches unfold, fans will be on the edge of their seats, hoping for their team's moment of glory.
