FA Cup Fourth Round Preview: Giants, Underdogs And High-Stakes Clashes

‎The magic of the FA Cup rolls into another dramatic weekend as Premier League heavyweights and hopeful underdogs step into the spotlight.

Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic

‎Arsenal, fourteen-time winners, have not passed the fourth round since 2020. They began with a 4–1 win over Portsmouth but enter here after a frustrating 1–1 draw with Brentford. Wigan arrive in the relegation zone after a managerial change but beat Preston in the last round.

‎Team News: Arsenal: Heavy rotation expected — Martinelli, Kepa, Lewis-Skelly likely to start. Wigan: Luke Robinson, Baba Adeeko (out); Kerr returns to captain.

‎Prediction: Arsenal 3–0 Wigan

Aston Villa vs Newcastle United

‎Villa enter buoyed by a 1–0 midweek win over Brighton. Newcastle won their last match 2–1 at Tottenham but face a brutal run of fixtures ahead and injury concerns.

‎Team News: Villa: Kamara, Tielemans, McGinn (out). Newcastle: Joelinton, Schär, Livramento (out); Bruno, Miley (doubts).

‎Prediction: Aston Villa 2–1 Newcastle

Liverpool vs Brighton

‎Liverpool have not lost to Brighton at Anfield in over 40 years. Brighton have plunged into poor form — one win in their last 13 Premier League games.

‎Team News: Liverpool: Endo, Isak, Frimpong, Bradley (out); Gomez available. Brighton: March, Webster, Ayari (out); Rotation expected.

‎Prediction: Liverpool 2–0 Brighton

Manchester City vs Salford City

‎City target a fourth consecutive FA Cup final. They beat Salford 8–0 last season and have won 20 consecutive FA Cup ties against non-Premier League opposition. Salford reach the fourth round for the first time in their history.

‎Team News: City: Haaland likely rested; Marmoush, Cherki, Rico Lewis available. Salford: Bird, Edwards (out).

‎Prediction: Manchester City 5–0 Salford City