Tier three Bournemouth are the underdogs against the top side in the country at the moment, as they welcome a side stacked with internationals to AFC Totton.
But they enter the game full of confidence themselves, with Helen Bleazard’s side unbeaten in all competitions so far this term.
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It is the first time they have reached the fourth round of the competition in their history, so it will be an historic moment for the side no matter the result.
Bleazard will be hoping for a bit of FA Cup magic to spring an upset on Sunday – but it’ll be a tough test for the Cherries.
Manchester City's Khadija Shaw scores their sides fifth goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match at the Joie Stadium, Manchester. (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)
While not unbeaten, City have lost just once in the league all season and are also in the semifinals of the League Cup.
That defeat came on the opening day of the season to defending champions Chelsea, but they have won every league game since then to sit top of the pile after 12 games.
Khadija ‘Bunny’ Shaw leads the goalscoring standings in the WSL with 12 goals at a rate of a goal every 89 minutes, while Vivianne Miedema and Aoba Fujino are also in the top ten.
Last weekend, City defeated Everton 2-0 thanks to strikes from Kerolin Nicoli and Miedema to start 2026 with a victory.
Manchester City's Vivianne Miedema celebrates scoring their sides fourth goal during the Barclays Women's Super League match at the Joie Stadium, Manchester. (Image: Cody Froggatt/PA Wire)
City have this week confirmed the signing of USA international Sam Coffey to further bolster their squad, as they look to continue their impressive season and progress in the cup.
But the free-scoring Cherries will be aiming to stop them from doing so, and they’ll carry plenty of belief that they can pull off an upset come Sunday.
Sophie Quirk has scored 17 goals across her 18 game so far this season, while Jenna Markham isn’t far behind with 12.
They have been defensively strong too, conceding just eight goals in all competitions, with 17 wins from 20 games, the other three being draws.
AFC Bournemouth players during a training session during the Adobe Women's FA Cup Trophy Visit at Bournemouth's Training Ground on January 13, 2026 in Bournemouth, England. (Photo by Michael Steele - The FA/The FA via Getty Images) (Image: The FA via Getty Images)
To reach this stage, they thumped Fulham 5-0 after 7-1 and 11-0 wins over Leyton Orient and Millbrook in the first and second rounds respectively.
Bournemouth are yet to get their 2026 underway after their National League Cup quarterfinal against Swindon Town was postponed last weekend.
AFC Bournemouth host Manchester City at AFC Totton on Sunday, January 18, kick off at 1pm.