FA Cup 4th Round: Liverpool and Aston Villa Face Make-or-Break Clashes in Quest for Glory

Success in the FA Cup fourth round secures passage to the round of 16 in England's premier knockout tournament—and numerous lower division sides are eager to cause upsets this Saturday.

Nine matches will unfold nationwide, featuring Burton Albion from League One against West Ham United in the early kickoff and Liverpool facing Premier League counterparts Brighton & Hove Albion in the evening fixture.

Expect guaranteed excitement, shocking outcomes and, truthfully, torrential downpours and gusts, but that's exactly how we prefer it.

Manchester City vs. Salford City

Manchester City vs. Salford City

Salford City endured a thrashing at the Etihad Stadium in the previous campaign, and they're prepared to face the music once more this weekend.

Karl Robinson's squad progressed through an exciting encounter with Swindon Town to reach the fourth round, while Manchester City, last year's runners-up, scored ten goals in their ruthless victory over Exeter City.

The Citizens remain competitive in the Premier League championship chase following last week's stunning comeback at Anfield, but the domestic tournaments seem the most promising routes for Pep Guardiola to secure trophies in what might be his concluding season in Manchester.

City have reached the Carabao Cup final, and they'll be favored to comfortably progress to the fifth round on home turf.

Prediction: Man City 5–1 Salford

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United

Aston Villa vs. Newcastle United

Several all-Premier League matchups await this weekend, but none appear more appealing on paper than Newcastle United's journey to Villa Park.

Admittedly, the encounter between these sides in the West Midlands last August was utterly tedious, but a change of competition might encourage a more adventurous battle. Aston Villa recently defeated their upcoming visitors at St. James' Park, but have since fallen from title contention following consecutive losses.

While Newcastle have struggled away from home this campaign, Eddie Howe's team claimed a crucial road victory midweek, as former Villa player Jacob Ramsey recorded his first goal contribution for the Magpies in a 2–1 triumph at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, ending Thomas Frank's dismal tenure.

Prediction: Aston Villa 3–2 Newcastle

Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Liverpool vs. Brighton & Hove Albion

Fabian Hürzeler's Brighton & Hove Albion are drifting toward a relegation battle, but there's currently sufficient cushion between them and the danger zone to avoid immediate alarm.

The Seagulls were one penalty shootout from reaching their second FA Cup semi-final in three years previously, but they face a challenging task to prolong their domestic cup journey in 2025–26.

Brighton suffered a convincing defeat to Liverpool in December, and they've triumphed just twice at Anfield in 53 years.

On Saturday evening, they must channel the magic of '83 when Jimmy Melia's team shocked a dominant Reds side in the FA Cup fifth round at Anfield. The divide between both clubs isn't as vast this time, and Brighton did prevail at another fortress, Old Trafford, to earn this fixture.

FA Cup 4th Round—Saturday Predictions

FA Cup 4th Round—Saturday Predictions

Meanwhile, West Ham and Burnley confront lower division challenges—Burton Albion and Mansfield Town their respective opponents—while Norwich City and West Bromwich Albion clash in an all-Championship encounter.

Bristol City journey to Port Vale with a fifth round berth on the line, while on the southern coast Southampton host Leicester City just days after completing a remarkable comeback against the Foxes. Trailing 3–0 at King Power Stadium, they incredibly rallied to win 4–3 in the Championship, pushing the 2021 FA Cup champions deeper into relegation danger.