The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals has set up a challenging away tie for holders Man City, who will travel to face Bournemouth. The draw presents opportunities for several clubs aiming to break long-standing trophy droughts.
The other confirmed ties see Preston North End, the only remaining Championship side, host Aston Villa. Fulham and Crystal Palace will contest an all-London derby at Craven Cottage. The final quarter-final will see Brighton & Hove Albion at home to the winner of Monday’s fifth-round tie between Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town.
Manchester City, the 2023 FA Cup winners, remain the favorites, but the elimination of several other major clubs has opened up the competition. Ipswich Town (1978 winners) are the most recent winners, aside from Man City. Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth, and Brighton have never won the FA Cup.
Former Manchester City and Aston Villa defender Micah Richards, speaking on BBC One, commented on the open nature of the draw: “It’s very open now. What a chance for a team to go and win it. All the [other] big teams are out. Manchester City are obviously the strongest team left in there. This is what we wanted, teams to get a chance.”
The quarter-final ties are scheduled to be played on the weekend of Saturday, March 29th. The draw provides a mix of challenging fixtures and potential upsets, setting the stage for an exciting conclusion to the FA Cup.
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