Who will win this season's FA Cup?
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This weekend’s FA Cup quarter-final line-up is one of the most intriguing in recent memory, with a unique mix of clubs still in contention for one of football’s most prestigious trophies.
Gone are most of the competition's usual suspects - the dominant names of the past three decades and nearly all of its recent winners. For the eight teams remaining, the stakes couldn’t be higher, and the chance to claim glory feels more tangible than ever.
Among the quarter-finalists - Aston Villa, Bournemouth, Brighton, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Manchester City, Nottingham Forest, and Preston - only City have tasted success in modern times.
For the rest, the story is one of long waits or unfulfilled dreams. Villa’s last triumph dates back to 1957, Forest’s to 1959, and Brighton, Palace, Bournemouth, Fulham, and Preston have never lifted the famous cup at all. For many of these clubs, a win would represent a historic breakthrough.
**Fulham vs. Crystal Palace**
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Fulham and Crystal Palace’s quarter final clash marks only the second time these teams have met in this competition, with their last encounter dating back to a second-round replay in February 1907, where Palace edged a 1-0 victory.
The Eagles have enjoyed a strong record at Craven Cottage, unbeaten in their last six visits (W3, D3), including a 2-0 Premier League triumph earlier this season. Notably, they have only ever won twice at one away ground in a single campaign: Southampton during the 1964-65 season.
Fulham, however, bring momentum into this fixture, having knocked Manchester United out at Old Trafford to reach this stage. The Cottagers have won six of their last eight matches (L2), showcasing an impressive run of form. Yet, their struggles against Palace at home persist, with their last win in this matchup coming in January 2005 (D3, L3 since). Fulham's FA Cup quarter-final history is mixed; they progressed in all four ties between 1957-58 and 2001-02 but have fallen short in their last four attempts.
Palace, conversely, have advanced from four of their last five quarter-finals, including a run to the final in 2015-16. The Eagles has also been imperious on the road, winning five consecutive away games without conceding, a streak stretching back to mid-December. With Palace’s defence unbreeched in 549 minutes of away football, this promises to be a tight contest
**Brighton vs. Nottingham Forest**
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While Brighton’s FA Cup pedigree includes two recent quarter-final victories, Forest's history in this competition is less favourable, having lost their last three quarter-finals by narrow 1-0 margins. Forest’s last semi-final appearance came in 1990-91, a season in which they eventually reached the final, only to lose to Tottenham Hotspur.
The Seagulls enter the tie in excellent form, unbeaten in their last seven competitive matches (W6, D1). Their impressive recent run keeps them firmly in contention for a historic Champions League qualification, but head coach Fabian Hürzeler is likely to have his sights set on becoming the first Brighton manager to lift the FA Cup.
Forest, however, hold a psychological edge, having stunned Brighton 7-0 in their most recent head-to-head clash just last month. Another goal for Forest here would mark Brighton as the first team since Doncaster in 1997-98 to concede 10+ goals to them in a single season.
With Forest boasting success in penalty shootouts and Brighton’s history of tense cup ties, this match could be decided in dramatic fashion.
**Preston North End vs. Aston Villa**
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Preston North End face an uphill battle as they welcome Premier League side Aston Villa to Deepdale. As the only Championship side left in the competition, Preston are aiming to reach the semi-finals for the first time since their 1963-64 campaign, when they ultimately fell to West Ham United in the final.
However, their FA Cup quarter-final history is sparse, with their last appearance at this stage dating back to 1965-66, where they lost to Manchester United.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side has relied heavily on home advantage this season, with all three of their FA Cup victories coming at Deepdale, including an impressive 3-0 triumph over Burnley in the previous round. Yet, history is not on their side; Preston have won just one of their last 15 meetings with Villa across all competitions (D9, L5). Their most recent encounter in December 2018 ended in a 1-1 draw.
Villa, under Unai Emery, arrive as heavy favourites. The Midlands side has won their last four FA Cup quarter-final ties, most recently in 2014-15. They also boast a four-match winning streak in all competitions, with three clean sheets in that run. However, their away form in this competition could be a concern, having won just one of their last nine FA Cup ties on the road.
Despite the odds, Preston will draw on their underdog spirit, knowing that one moment of magic could see them rewrite the script and reach the semi-finals for the first time in nearly six decades.
**Bournemouth vs. Manchester City**
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Bournemouth prepare for one of the biggest games in their history as they host Manchester City at the Vitality. This marks just the third time the Cherries have reached this stage of the competition, following previous defeats to Manchester United in 1956-57 and Southampton in 2020-21. However, recent history offers hope, as Andoni Iraola’s side stunned City with a 2-1 win at home in November – their first victory against the Premier League champions in 22 attempts (D2, L19).
Manchester City, however, are a formidable force in this competition. Pep Guardiola’s side has reached the semi-finals in each of the last six campaigns, an all-time FA Cup record. They last suffered a quarter-final defeat in the 2013-14 season and have since won their last seven ties at this stage. City’s away form in the FA Cup is equally imposing, with 14 consecutive victories on the road, during which they’ve scored an astonishing 40 goals.
Bournemouth enter the tie on the back of consecutive FA Cup wins against Everton and Wolves, showcasing their ability to overcome Premier League opposition.
City will be keen to avoid another upset, with the FA Cup their only hope of walking away from this season with silverware.
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