As Premier League fans eagerly await the return of club football, this weekend presents a unique scenario where only seven top-flight teams will be in action, but not in league competition. Instead, the focus shifts to the FA Cup quarter-finals, where Championship club Preston North End joins the ranks of Manchester City, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Bournemouth, and Brighton in their quest for silverware.
This year’s scheduling is particularly noteworthy, as it marks a departure from the norm. Traditionally, FA Cup fixtures often run alongside Premier League matches during this stage of the season. However, due to a new agreement between the Premier League and the Football Association (FA), all rounds of the Emirates FA Cup are now exclusively scheduled on weekends. This six-year contract, which took effect this season, ensures that the fourth, fifth, and quarter-final rounds are played in isolation, free from Premier League distractions for the first time.
The FA Cup Final will also benefit from this exclusivity, taking place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season without any top-flight fixtures clashing, allowing it to remain the marquee event. FA chief executive Mark Bullingham emphasized the importance of this arrangement, stating, "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 percent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future. This new agreement strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season."
The FA Cup quarter-final matches are set to kick off as follows:
- Saturday, 12:15 PM: Fulham vs Crystal Palace
- Saturday, 5:15 PM: Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
- Sunday, 1:30 PM: Preston vs Aston Villa
- Sunday, 4:30 PM: Bournemouth vs Manchester City
As the excitement builds, teams are preparing for what could be a historic weekend. Brighton’s manager, Fabian Hurzeler, opted to reject the idea of providing fans with special flags for their match against Nottingham Forest, wanting his players to treat this quarter-final as just another home game. This mindset, he believes, is conducive to winning, especially as the buzz around the training ground intensifies.
Brighton is not alone in feeling the weight of this moment; many clubs still in the competition are acutely aware of the significance of this opportunity. With several of the FA Cup's most successful teams eliminated, the remaining clubs recognize that this season presents a rare chance for glory. Among the eight quarter-finalists, half have never won a major trophy: Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, and Fulham. Preston North End, who last lifted the FA Cup in 1938, have not tasted victory in 86 years, while Aston Villa hasn’t won a trophy in 29 years, narrowly edging out Nottingham Forest’s 35-year drought.
Manchester City, the reigning FA Cup champions, find themselves in an unusual position, needing the FA Cup to salvage their season after struggling in the league. Their presence adds a layer of intrigue, as the other clubs eye the possibility of an upset. The quarter-finals promise to be fiercely competitive, with all teams aware that the path to Wembley is wide open.
As the matches approach, the anticipation is palpable. Fulham aims to reach their first FA Cup semi-final in 23 years with a win over Crystal Palace, who themselves are looking to return to Wembley three years after their last semi-final appearance. The semi-final draw is set to take place on Sunday, March 30, following the conclusion of the Preston vs Aston Villa match.
Fans are also keen to see how the matches unfold, with the FA Cup quarter-finals offering a chance for some clubs to make history. The semi-final draw will feature:
- Fulham or Crystal Palace
- Preston North End or Aston Villa
- AFC Bournemouth or Manchester City
- Brighton & Hove Albion or Nottingham Forest
Joe Hart, former Manchester City goalkeeper and FA Cup winner, will conduct the draw live on BBC One. Hart, who retired in February 2024, shared his memories of lifting the trophy, calling it a significant moment in his career.
The FA Cup semi-finals are scheduled for the weekend of April 26-27, 2025, at Wembley Stadium, with the final set for May 17, 2025. However, the weekend’s action will first determine which teams advance, and all eyes will be on the quarter-finals as clubs vie for a place in the next round.
As the FA Cup quarter-finals kick off, the excitement of knockout football returns, with the potential for memorable moments and historic achievements. The stage is set for an unforgettable weekend, with fans eagerly anticipating the outcomes of these pivotal matches.
With the Premier League set to resume on April 1, 2025, the focus now shifts entirely to the FA Cup, where dreams of glory are on the line. Wolverhampton Wanderers will host West Ham United, Arsenal will face Fulham, and Nottingham Forest will take on Manchester United as the league resumes. For now, however, all attention is on the FA Cup, where the magic of the tournament is alive and well.
