The FA Cup takes centre stage this weekend as domestic football returns from the international break without the Premier League as the likes of Manchester City and Aston Villa eye progress
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The FA Cup has some exclusivity this season
The FA Cup faces no competition from the Premier League this weekend
Premier League fans are often left counting down the days until the end of international break as club football gets back underway. But just seven of the division's clubs will be action this weekend and not in top-flight competition.
Instead it is a weekend of FA Cup action as domestic football returns with the tournament's quarter-final stage. Championship side Preston are joined by Manchester City, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, Crystal Palace, Fulham, Bournemouth and Brighton looking to progress in their quest for silverware.
At this stage of the season it is not uncommon to see the football calendar to feature FA Cup and Premier League action on the same weekend. But that is not the case this year as the likes of Liverpool and Newcastle United are forced to wait until midweek to reconvene their seasons.
And that is due to an agreement made between the Premier League and the Football Association. Mirror Football takes a look below.
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Premier League agreement
The FA and Premier League reached a six-year agreement, that got underway this term, that ensures all rounds of the Emirates FA Cup are played on weekends. That included the fifth round of the competition which had been played as a midweek round for the previous five seasons.
In addition to that move, the parties agreed that the fourth, fifth and quarter-finals rounds would all be exclusive of Premier League fixtures for the first time. The FA Cup Final will also be given some exclusivity.
Taking place on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season, the Wembley showpiece will face no competition from the top-flight as the division will see no fixtures taking place on the same day.
The FA Cup Trophy
The FA Cup Trophy on display(Image: Crystal Pix/MB Media)
FA chief executive, Mark Bullingham said: "The Emirates FA Cup is our biggest asset and generates over 60 per cent of our revenue to invest into the game, so it is critical to secure a strong format for the future.
"This new agreement between the FA and the Premier League strengthens the Emirates FA Cup and gives this very special tournament exclusive weekends in an increasingly busy calendar.
"The new schedule ensures the magic of the Cup is protected and enhanced, while working for the whole of the English game. The longer summer period also allows a much-needed player break before the start of the next season.
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Who is playing in the FA Cup?
FA Cup fixtures for the weekend are:
Saturday, 12.15pm: Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Saturday, 5.15pm: Brighton vs Nottingham Forest
Sunday, 1.30pm: Preston vs Aston Villa
Sunday, 4.30pm: Bournemouth vs Manchester City.
When does the Premier League return?
The Premier League returns on Tuesday April 1 with three matches. Wolverhampton Wanderers welcome West Ham United and Arsenal host Fulham at 7.45pm, while Nottingham Forest are visited by Manchester United at 8pm. The remaining fixtures take place across Wednesday and Thursday.
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