The FA Cup fourth round draw has set the stage for some thrilling encounters, with Premier League giants facing off against lower-league opposition.
following Manchester UnitedS victory over Arsenal, the draw for the round of 32 took place, revealing a fascinating lineup of fixtures. Notably, Manchester United, now managed by Ruben Amorim, will lock horns with Leicester City, led by former Red Devils striker Ruud van Nistelrooy. This clash pits two managers with contrasting styles against each other, promising an intriguing tactical battle.
Chelsea,featuring Portuguese stars João Félix,Pedro Neto,and Renato Veiga,will travel to the south coast to face Brighton & Hove Albion. Meanwhile,Nuno Espírito Santo’s Nottingham Forest,bolstered by the presence of Jota Silva,will host Exeter City at the City Ground.
In other notable matchups, Wolverhampton Wanderers, under the guidance of Vítor Pereira, will face Blackburn Rovers, while Manchester City awaits the winner of the tie between Leyton Orient and Derby County.
The fourth-round ties are scheduled to take place over the weekend of February 8th, promising a feast of football for fans across the country.
Here’s the complete list of fixtures:
Leeds United vs. Millwall/Dagenham & Redbridge
Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Chelsea
Preston North End/Charlton Athletic vs. Wycombe Wanderers
Exeter City vs. Nottingham Forest
Coventry City vs. Ipswich Town
Blackburn Rovers vs.Wolverhampton Wanderers
Mansfield Town/Wigan athletic vs. Fulham
Birmingham City vs. Newcastle United
Plymouth Argyle vs. Liverpool
Everton vs. Bournemouth
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Southampton/Swansea City vs. Burnley
Leyton Orient/Derby County vs. Manchester City
Doncaster Rovers vs. Crystal Palace
* Stoke City vs. Cardiff City
The draw has generated critically importent excitement among fans, with many eagerly anticipating these captivating clashes. As the competition progresses, the stakes will only rise, leading to even more dramatic encounters in the quest for FA Cup glory.
A Mouthwatering FA Cup Clash: An Interview wiht Former England Star, kelly Smith MBE
Hello everyone adn welcome back to the Sports Hub! TodayS FA Cup draw has thrown up some truly mouthwatering matchups, and we’re lucky enough to have former England star and Arsenal legend, Kelly Smith MBE, here to dissect the upcoming fixtures.
Kelly, thanks for joining us!
Kelly: My pleasure! Can’t wait to get stuck in and talk about the FA Cup – it’s always a special competition.
Moderator: Absolutely, Kelly. This year’s draw is brimming with intrigue, but surely one tie stands out: Manchester United versus Leicester City. Two managers with contrasting styles clashing on a grand stage – what are your thoughts?
kelly: That’s a cracker! Amorim at United and Van Nistelrooy leading Leicester – it’s a fascinating tactical battle brewing. Amorim leans towards a possession-based, attacking style while Van Nistelrooy, we know, is a master tactician who prioritizes efficiency and counter-attacking football. This one’s definitely a coin toss for me.
Moderator: Could the experience of Van Nistelrooy, a former Red Devil himself, give Leicester an edge?
Kelly: It might very well be a huge advantage. He understands the club, the pressure, and the expectations that come with playing at Old Trafford. It’ll be incredibly interesting to see how Amorim deals with that pressure cooker environment for the first time in such a high-stakes match.
Moderator: Speaking of high stakes, Chelsea travel to a tricky Brighton side. They are featuring a star-studded portuguese contingent – Félix, Neto and Veiga. Do you see them overcoming the challenge of Brighton?
Kelly: Chelsea, on paper, should win but writing off Brighton is a mistake. they’re exceptionally well-drilled under De Zerbi, and their home stadium can be a cauldron of noise. If Chelsea aren’t at their best, Brighton could cause a real upset.
Moderator: A potential upset, then? One thing’s for sure, this round of the FA Cup promises fireworks! What other fixtures catch your eye, Kelly?
Kelly: I’m curious to see Nottingham Forest take on Exeter City. Nuno Espírito Santo has begun to mould his Forest side into a solid RSV team, so it’ll be intriguing to see how they fare against a team scrapping for every point in League One.
Moderator: Great point! Lastly, Kelly, before we let you go, any predictions for who’ll lift that trophy come May?
Kelly: It’s far too early to say definitively! The FA Cup throws up so many surprises. however, Manchester City, despite their upcoming fixture against the winner of Leyton Orient versus Derby County, have to be favourites. Their squad depth is remarkable, and Pep Guardiola is simply a master tactician.
Moderator:
Fantastic insight, Kelly! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts. I’m sure our viewers are loving your analysis.
Kelly: My pleasure! Always great to chat football.
Moderator: And now it’s your turn! What are your thoughts on the FA Cup draw? Which ties excite you moast? Let us know in the comments below and let’s keep the conversation going!
