The FA Cup never fails to deliver drama, and this season is no exception. After Macclesfield’s stunning upset over Crystal Palace, the sixth-tier underdogs have not only guaranteed a new tournament winner but also set the stage for another thrilling chapter in their fairy tale run. But here’s where it gets even more intriguing: their next opponent is none other than Brentford, a Premier League side from London. Can the Silkmen pull off another miracle? And this is the part most people miss—the draw, held before the Liverpool vs Barnsley clash, has set up several mouth-watering ties that could redefine the tournament’s trajectory.
Among the standout fixtures, Chelsea’s Liam Rosenior will face his former club, Hull City, in what promises to be an emotionally charged encounter. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, fresh from their victory over Tottenham Hotspur, will lock horns with Newcastle United, ensuring another high-stakes battle. But here’s the controversial bit: with several lower-league teams still in the mix, is the FA Cup becoming more about the underdogs than the traditional powerhouses?
The fourth round is scheduled for the weekend of February 14-15, with matches potentially spilling over to Friday the 13th and Monday the 16th. For those eager to catch the draw live, it aired at 1:30 PM ET on Monday, January 12, and was streamed on YouTube. If you missed it, don’t worry—we’ve got you covered with all the details.
So far, the qualified teams include Premier League giants like Manchester City, Arsenal, and Liverpool (or Barnsley), alongside Championship heavyweights such as Southampton and Leicester City. Lower-league sides like Port Vale, Grimsby Town, and Macclesfield have also punched their tickets, ensuring a diverse mix of competition. But the real question is: with so many David vs. Goliath matchups, who will emerge as the ultimate giant-killer?
Here’s a full breakdown of the fourth-round draw results:
- Manchester City vs Salford or Swindon Town
- Birmingham City vs Leeds United
- Macclesfield vs Brentford
- Aston Villa vs Newcastle United
- Grimsby Town vs Wolves
- Port Vale vs Bristol City
- Norwich City vs West Bromwich Albion
- Burnley vs Mansfield Town
- Burton Albion vs West Ham United
- Hull City vs Chelsea
- Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic
- Wrexham vs Ipswich Town
- Southampton vs Leicester City
- Oxford United vs Sunderland
- Stoke City vs Fulham
- Liverpool or Barnsley vs Brighton & Hove Albion
For those keeping track, here are the ball numbers for the draw:
- Wolves
- Southampton
- Aston Villa
- Port Vale
- Wigan Athletic
- Ipswich Town
- Wrexham
- Chelsea
- Manchester City
- West Ham United
- Brentford
- Fulham
- Sunderland
- Liverpool or Barnsley
- Burnley
- Norwich City
- Arsenal
- Leeds United
- West Bromwich Albion
- Salford City or Swindon Town
- Burton Albion
- Grimsby Town
- Hull City
- Newcastle United
- Oxford United
- Leicester City
- Birmingham City
- Bristol City
- Stoke City
- Macclesfield
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Mansfield Town
As the tournament heats up, one thing is clear: the FA Cup remains a stage where dreams are made and legends are born. But what do you think—is this the year the underdogs take it all, or will the Premier League giants reclaim their throne? Let us know in the comments!
