FA Cup Fourth Round Draw: A Feast of Premier League Fixtures
[The Emirates FA Cup fourth-round draw](https://www.thefa.com/news/2025/jan/12/emirates-fa-cup-fourth-round-proper-draw-20251201) has thrown up some mouth-watering clashes, with several all-Premier League ties set to thrill fans. The draw, conducted shortly after Manchester United's dramatic penalty shootout victory over Arsenal, provided a tantalizing mix of unexpected matchups and familiar rivalries. Holders Manchester United, having secured a hard-fought win against Arsenal, will host Leicester City at Old Trafford. This match will be a reunion of sorts for former United interim manager Ruud van Nistelrooy, who now leads Leicester.
Manchester United's Road to Glory
United's passage to the fourth round was far from straightforward. Their third-round tie against Arsenal saw them play almost half the game with 10 men following Diogo Dalot's red card. Despite the numerical disadvantage, they managed a remarkable victory, eventually winning on penalties after a 1-1 draw. This dramatic win sets the stage for a captivating encounter with Leicester.
Van Nistelrooy's Return to Old Trafford
For Ruud van Nistelrooy, the match against his former club will undoubtedly be an emotional one. Having served as United's interim manager earlier in the season before the arrival of Ruben Amorim, he guided Leicester to a resounding 6-2 victory over QPR. His Leicester team will aim to spring a major upset in front of their former manager's home crowd. It has been noted that the two sides have played against each other three times previously in the FA Cup, and in two of those occasions, Manchester United came out on top.
Other Notable Premier League Clashes
The FA Cup draw also featured three other all-Premier League clashes. Aston Villa will entertain Tottenham Hotspur, while Brighton will host Chelsea at the Amex Stadium and Everton will face Bournemouth at Goodison Park. These fixtures promise high-octane encounters between teams vying for domestic success and are guaranteed to deliver compelling football.
Chelsea's Trip to the Amex
The draw for the fourth round has pitted Chelsea against Brighton. The Blues secured their place in the fourth round after a victory over Morecambe and will now face a tough test against Brighton at the Amex Stadium. Chelsea has had four wins in a row across all competitions against Brighton. The game is scheduled to be played over the weekend of February 8.
The Underdogs' Challenge
Several lower league teams earned the chance to face Premier League giants. Plymouth Argyle, having shocked Brentford in the third round, will host Liverpool. This will be a huge opportunity for the Championship’s bottom club to showcase their talent on a national stage against a team with stars like Mohamed Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Virgil van Dijk. Meanwhile, either Leyton Orient or Derby County will face the daunting task of taking on Manchester City. These matchups highlight the beauty of the FA Cup, where the underdogs can dream of causing an upset.
The Full Fixture List: A Look Ahead
The fourth round will be played around the weekend of February 8-9, offering fans a jam-packed schedule of exciting matches. The Football Association will soon announce the full details of the fixture schedule.
The following matches are scheduled for the fourth round:
- Manchester United vs Leicester City
- Leeds United vs Millwall or Dagenham & Redbridge
- Brighton vs Chelsea
- Preston North End or Charlton vs Wycombe Wanderers
- Exeter City vs Nottingham Forest
- Coventry City vs Ipswich Town
- Blackburn Rovers vs Wolves
- Mansfield Town or Wigan Athletic vs Fulham
- Birmingham City vs Newcastle United
- Plymouth Argyle vs Liverpool
- Everton vs Bournemouth
- Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur
- Southampton vs Burnley
- Leyton Orient or Derby County vs Manchester City
- Doncaster Rovers vs Crystal Palace
- Stoke City vs Cardiff City
These matches promise to be a spectacle of exciting and potentially shocking results; be sure to tune in!
A Cup Full of Surprises: The Road to Wembley
The FA Cup, a competition steeped in tradition and history, continues to create memorable moments. This year's fourth-round draw has not disappointed, with several potentially explosive clashes that promise to test the limits of each team involved. This year's FA Cup promises to be one for the books and will certainly showcase the depth and excitement of the footballing landscape. The road to Wembley is paved with challenges and opportunities, and these fourth-round matches will be pivotal in determining the finalists.
The upcoming matches are a great example of this. Teams like Plymouth, facing Liverpool, will test the limits of the cup's underdog potential. While other Premier League teams such as Aston Villa versus Tottenham are certain to bring some exciting, unpredictable results, the draw has certainly ensured that this year's competition will be a memorable one. Each match holds the key to their teams' success in the tournament. These early rounds are essential to gauge the competitive spirit of each team, which, in turn, will help to identify the strongest competitors in the final rounds.
