The FA Cup returns this weekend with the fifth round proper, featuring eight exciting and competitive fixtures spread across four days from Friday, February 28, to Monday, March 3. As the competition intensifies, teams from the Premier League and the Championship will battle it out for a place in the quarter-finals. This round also sees the introduction of Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SAOT) come into play, which should help enhance the accuracy and efficiency of offside decisions.
We’ve compiled a preview of each of the fifth round ties below. It promises to be another excellent weekend of FA Cup action, especially with the prize being the quarter-finals, which are only two games away from the all-important final. Every team that’s still in the competition will be dreaming of getting their hands on the coveted FA Cup trophy, even those from the Championship who are looking to eliminate teams from the Premier League on their way.
Friday, February 28
Aston Villa vs Cardiff City
The FA Cup fifth round actions kicks off at Villa Park with Aston Villa vs Cardiff City. Villa, 10th in the Premier League, are looking to bounce back from recent disappointments. Their home form continues to be impressive, though. They’re unbeaten in 14 on home turf since October. They face a Cardiff City team that are fighting to keep their heads above water in the Championship. Despite a poor away record and a disappointing league campaign, the Bluebirds have won both of their FA Cup ties on the road. It will take something special for them to defeat Villa, especially away from home, as they’ve not won at Villa Park for 70 years. The task could be made easier if Unai Emery makes changes to his Villa starting XI.
Saturday, March 1
Crystal Palace vs Millwall
Is there a finer way to kick off the FA Cups on a Saturday than with a London derby? Crystal Palace vs Millwall is first up on Saturday lunchtime, and what a fierce fixture we have on our hands. The rivalry between the two teams has been dormant in recent years, with the sides not having met since their FA Cup encounter in 2022. Palace, the Premier League outfit in this contest, will fancy their chances of progressing further in the competition and will want to capitalise on home advantage. Millwall, on the other hand, have a history of upsetting the odds in this competition, and the Championship outfit could cause their Premier League neighbours some issues.
Preston North End vs Burnley
Preston North End vs Burnley is another Saturday lunchtime kick-off, and it’s another derby fixture taking place in the FA Cup fifth round. The two Lancashire teams are already rivals, but given what kicked off when the two sides met recently in the Championship, a match that finished 0-0, there’s extra spice added to the occasion. You always hope for goals in the FA Cup, but if their league records are anything to go by, it could once again be a tight, low-scoring affair, as both sides are very strong defensively. This is especially the case for Burnley, who have racked up a ton of clean sheets so far this season.
Bournemouth vs Wolverhampton Wanderers
Bournemouth vs Wolves is one of those interesting FA Cup fixtures between two teams from the same division who have recently played each other ahead of meeting again in the cup. In that game, Bournemouth, who had been on an excellent run of form, saw Ilya Zabarnyi receive a straight red, with Matheus Cunha scoring shortly after for Wolves, condemning the Cherries to a 1-0 home defeat. Bournemouth will be keen to exact revenge on their visitors, and knocking them out of the FA Cup at this stage and advancing to the quarter-finals will be just the ticket. Wolves, though, may feel they’ve got Bournemouth’s number and will be confident of a repeat.
Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle
In normal circumstances, you’d see Manchester City vs Plymouth Argyle on the FA Cup fixture list and think it will be a straightforward passage through for Pep Guardiola’s men. Plymouth’s lack of away wins, and their position and form in the Championship also make that appear the most likely outcome, even if, as expected, Guardiola makes changes to his team for this one, having played only several days ago. However, this is a Plymouth side who defeated a changed, albeit strong, Liverpool team at Home Park 1-0 in the last round. And not only that, in the round before, they went to Brentford, another Premier League side, and recorded a 1-0 victory. Could they become the first team since Wigan in 2017/18 to knock out three Premier League sides in a row?
Sunday, March 2
Newcastle United vs Brighton
Sunday’s FA Cup fifth-round action begins with Newcastle United vs Brighton at St. James’ Park. You will often get teams who consider making changes in this competition, especially if they’re prioritising what they’re doing in the league. Sometimes, it can spoil things slightly, but in this instance, it’s possible that both teams will make changes rather than just one, which should make it an exciting and competitive encounter. Both the Magpies and the Seagulls are looking to secure European football this season, and they’re going well in the Premier League. But could the chance of winning some silverware catch the eye? A spot in the quarter-finals is available here, after all. Newcastle continue to be keen to give their fans a trophy that they’ve waited decades for.
Manchester United vs Fulham
The weekend’s FA Cup fixtures culminate with Manchester United vs Fulham at Old Trafford late Sunday afternoon. United, who are the defending FA Cup champions, are looking to defend their crown under head coach Ruben Amorim. They’ve already defeated Arsenal and Leicester City. They come up against Fulham, who they’ve recorded 1-0 home and away wins over this season in the Premier League. Marco Silva’s side will head to Old Trafford keen on revenge for their two defeats, adding to their motivation to secure their place in the quarters. Interestingly, it’s been a hugely disappointing season for the home team in the league, but winning back-to-back FA Cups could ease the disappointment slightly. So, you’d expect them to all out to win.
Monday, March 3
Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town
The FA Cup fifth round concludes at the City Ground on Monday evening, with Nottingham Forest playing host to Ipswich Town. The two top-flight sides have already met on two occasions so far this season, with Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich producing a 1-0 win for the home side. Although, they did draw 1-1 at Portman Road. If their form and league positioning this season is anything to go by, you will fancy Forst to come out on top, as they’re on course to finish in the top four, while Ipswich look destined to be relegated. However, it’s highly likely that both teams will make changes for this fixture due to the important Premier League games they’ve got coming up, so it makes the outcome more unpredictable.
