FA Cup Fourth Round: Manchester United, Leicester, Aston Villa & Spurs in focus

Defending FA Cup holders Manchester United learnt their fourth-round opposition in the Sunday-held draw.

Ruben Amorim’s side defied a numerical disadvantage to overcome Arsenal on penalties at the Emirates Stadium last weekend.

As the FA Cup fourth round approaches this week, football fans can use the thrilling experiences in crypto games to entertain themselves ahead of the weekend fixtures. Crypto games use blockchain technology and cryptocurrencies to play online video games, allowing winners to own, trade and earn digital assets.

Given that the January transfer window has just concluded, crypto games offer a unique gamification element for fans wishing their respective clubs had performed better in the transfer market.

The FA Cup fourth round gives us some key ties that can shape the seasons for the clubs involved.

After ousting the record-time champions, the Red Devils can draw level with the Gunners at 14 titles each.

However, they must take it step by step as they face club legend Ruud van Nistelrooy in round four.

Now in charge of Leicester City, the Dutchman oversaw a 6-2 thrashing of Queens Park Rangers in round three to set up this tie.

Elsewhere, last season’s beaten finalists, Manchester City, pulled off an 8-0 statement win over fourth-tier Salford City, booking a round-four date against Leyton Orient.

Quadruple hopefuls Liverpool eased past Accrington Stanley 4-0 at Anfield and will head to Home Park to encounter round-three heroes Plymouth Argyle.

Despite drowning at the bottom of the Championship table, the Pilgrims stunned Brentford 1-0 at the Gtech Community Stadium in the biggest round-three upset.

All round-four fixtures will take place on February 8th.

Let’s look at the three most heavily anticipated FA Cup fourth-round match-ups.

Manchester United vs Leicester City

Exit-bound forward Marcus Rashford probably won’t be part of the Man Utd squad by the time the Foxes roll into town.

AC Milan are the front-runners in the race to sign the 27-year-old, but face a dilemma, according to The Telegraph.

Considering a restriction on signing non-EU players in Italian football, the Rossoneri must choose between Rashford and Man City’s Kyle Walker in the wake of Brexit.

With or without Rashford, Man Utd will be in pole position to claim a spot in the next round.

Leicester’s dreadful five-game losing streak against top-flight opposition puts the Red Devils in the driver’s seat to secure a fifth consecutive head-to-head triumph.

With the last three also coming by a three-goal margin, Amorim’s side could add a sweet flavour to what should be a routine victory.

Man Utd to progress

Aston Villa vs Tottenham Hotspur

Both teams went to great lengths to progress from the previous round.

Villa fought back from a half-time deficit to beat West Ham United 2-1 on Graham Potter’s touchline debut for the Irons.

Amadou Onana and Morgan Rogers staged the comeback, while Unai Emery omitted outgoing Jaden Philogene from the squad.

Fabrizio Romano reports the 22-year-old winger is on the verge of joining Ipswich Town.

Even without Philogene, Villa should have enough firepower up front to match Tottenham’s cup-savvy line-up.

In addition to setting one foot in the League Cup final, courtesy of a 1-0 first-leg win against Liverpool, Spurs put three unanswered goals past Tamworth in the last FA Cup round.

However, Ange Postecoglou’s charges need extra time to beat fifth-tier opposition, adding to fans’ frustration amid a substandard Premier League campaign.

But Spurs have netted precisely four goals in back-to-back wins against the Birmingham outfit, forging a perfect backdrop for this handsomely-looking tie.

Tottenham to progress

Brighton & Hove Albion vs Chelsea

Round three was plain sailing for both sides.

While Brighton humbled Norwich City 4-0 at Carrow Road, Chelsea demolished lower-league Morecambe 5-0 at Stamford Bridge.

As a result, they’ll trade tackles at the Amex Stadium, where the Blues have only won once in their last four matches against the Seagulls.

If this showdown is remotely close to their Premier League encounter in September, the East Sussex crowd will enjoy a spectacle.

Cole Palmer’s first-half poker of goals inspired Chelsea to a 4-2 win against Fabian Hurzeler’s side in one of the standout fixtures of the 2024/25 season.

Though both teams delivered against below-par opponents, their recent form against top-flight opposition has been mediocre at best.

However, Chelsea’s experience in these contests could make a difference.

Chelsea to progress

Full list of matches

• Manchester United (PL) vs. Leicester City (PL)
• Leeds United (CH) vs. Millwall (CH)
• Brighton & Hove Albion (PL) vs. Chelsea (PL)
• Preston North End (CH) vs. Wycombe Wanderers (L1)
• Exeter City (L1) vs. Nottingham Forest (PL)
• Coventry City (CH) vs. Ipswich Town (PL)
• Blackburn Rovers (CH) vs. Wolves (PL)
• Wigan Athletic (L1) vs. Fulham (PL)
• Birmingham City (L1) vs. Newcastle United (PL)
• Plymouth Argyle (CH) vs. Liverpool (PL)
• Everton (PL) vs. Bournemouth (PL)
• Aston Villa (PL) vs. Tottenham (PL)
• Southampton (PL) vs. Burnley (CH)
• Leyton Orient (L1) vs. Manchester City (PL)
• Doncaster Rovers (L2) vs. Crystal Palace (PL)
• Stoke City (CH) vs. Cardiff City (CH)

FA Cup Fourth Round: Manchester United, Leicester, Aston Villa & Spurs in focus