FA Cup Quarterfinals Deliver Epic Premier League Showdown as Star-Studded Draw Ignites Title Dreams

The standout fixture in this year's FA Cup quarterfinal lineup features Manchester City welcoming Liverpool to their home ground.

With numerous top-tier Premier League sides remaining in the competition, a marquee matchup was inevitable. City and Liverpool found themselves unfortunate to be drawn against each other. Should the encounter match the thrilling finale of their recent league meeting, spectators are guaranteed an entertaining spectacle.

Chelsea have once more sidestepped their top-flight counterparts and will welcome Port Vale to Stamford Bridge. The League One strugglers created the fifth round's biggest upset by overcoming a sluggish Sunderland team, though manager Jon Brady expressed mixed feelings about the achievement. "It's somewhat frustrating, if I'm being honest!" he confessed after guiding the third-division club to their first FA Cup quarterfinal appearance in seven decades. "It's an honor, but it presents challenges too."

Arsenal's previous FA Cup quarterfinal appearance resulted in tournament victory. The North London club will aim to repeat that triumph after being matched with Championship side Southampton. Mikel Arteta has yet to secure additional silverware in the six years since, but is targeting all four possible trophies this campaign.

Manchester City are pursuing their own quadruple and seem to be finding their rhythm at the perfect moment. While teams like Arsenal and Chelsea have so far avoided Premier League opponents, City rallied from a deficit to secure a 3–1 victory over Newcastle United on Saturday. They must navigate another challenging path with Liverpool's arrival.

Liverpool advanced by overcoming Wolverhampton Wanderers in their route to the quarterfinal stage. The encounter with the Premier League's bottom club carried additional significance following the Reds' loss to the same team at the identical venue just three days prior. There will be further motivation for payback next month following the dramatic circumstances of their league loss to City.

Leeds United have expressed collective enthusiasm about reaching the tournament's final eight for the first time in over two decades. A matchup against whoever emerges victorious from Monday night's West Ham United versus Brentford clash could enhance that positive sentiment even more.

2025–26 FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw in Full

2025–26 FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw in Full

Ball Numbers for FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw

Ball Numbers for FA Cup Quarterfinal Draw

1. Southampton
2. Port Vale
3. Manchester City
4. Leeds United
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool
7. Chelsea
8. West Ham United or Brentford

2025–26 FA Cup Round Dates

2025–26 FA Cup Round Dates

The quarterfinal stage commences during the opening weekend of April, coinciding with the Easter holiday period. This timing also aligns closely with the initial legs of the Champions League quarterfinals, a competition that four of these FA Cup participants may still be involved in.

Arsenal are strongly favored to advance past this weakened version of Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16, while Liverpool will probably back themselves against Galatasaray—despite being without their primary goalkeeper.

Manchester City and Chelsea, meanwhile, face intimidating European fixtures before they can focus on FA Cup matters. City will rekindle their rivalry with Real Madrid, while the Blues have been drawn against reigning continental champions Paris Saint-Germain.