The draw for the FA Cup 2024-25 quarter-finals took place on Sunday evening, immediately after Fulham’s dramatic penalty shootout victory over Manchester United. Hosted by former United defender Denis Irwin and ex-Fulham midfielder Danny Murphy, the event was held at Old Trafford. The quarter-final ties are set to be played over the weekend of 29 March 2025, with each winning club earning a prize of £450,000.
An Open Draw Despite Manchester City’s Presence
Aside from Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, none of the quarter-finalists are among England’s traditional footballing giants, with all the other major clubs having been eliminated early on. For half of the remaining teams, the FA Cup remains an unclaimed prize, Brighton & Hove Albion, Fulham, Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth are all chasing their first-ever triumph in the competition. The other sides boast a long-distant FA Cup success: Ipswich Town last lifted the trophy in the 1970s, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa in the 1950s, and Preston North End in the 1930s. Against this backdrop, City stand out as overwhelming favourites, though their struggles this season suggest they could yet be vulnerable to an upset.
Despite their pedigree and recent dominance in domestic football, Manchester City have shown signs of weakness this season. A string of injuries and a congested fixture list have tested Guardiola’s squad depth, and the FA Cup could prove to be an unexpected challenge. With smaller clubs often thriving in a cup format, City will need to be at their best to avoid any unpleasant surprises. The magic of the FA Cup is built on upsets, and teams like Bournemouth or even Brighton will be eager to etch their names into history.
FA Cup Quarter-Final Fixtures
Fulham vs Crystal Palace
Fresh from knocking out Manchester United in a tense penalty shootout, Fulham will take on Crystal Palace in an all-London, all-Premier League clash. With the Cottagers in strong form and Oliver Glasner’s Eagles proving solid defensively, this promises to be a tightly contested encounter. Palace have struggled with consistency this season but have the ability to cause problems for their city rivals.
Preston North End vs Aston Villa
The last remaining Championship side, Preston North End, will host Aston Villa. The Villans, inconsistent this season, remain favourites despite a poor away record (four wins, two draws, and seven defeats). Meanwhile, Preston, stuck in mid-table in the second tier, will be eager to spring a surprise at Deepdale and rewrite history for a club that hasn’t lifted the FA Cup, or any major silverware since the late 1930s. Their home support will be crucial as they look to defy the odds.
AFC Bournemouth vs Manchester City
Predictably, City travel to Bournemouth as strong favourites, but this tie is far from a foregone conclusion. Despite an early Champions League exit, Pep Guardiola’s men have rediscovered some form, climbing back into the top four and securing a direct Champions League qualification spot. Avoiding an upset here will be crucial if they are to keep their season from ending trophyless. Bournemouth, on the other hand, will look to make life difficult for City, especially given their ability to frustrate bigger sides at home.
Brighton & Hove Albion vs Nottingham Forest or Ipswich Town
The final quarter-final fixture will see Brighton take on the winner of Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich Town, a match scheduled for this evening. Forest, currently third in the Premier League, are strong favourites to progress. Fabian Hürzeler’s Brighton will see this as an opportunity to reach the semi-finals, while their opponents will look to extend their FA Cup adventure. One thing is certain, if Brighton do face Nottingham Forest, they will need a drastic tactical rethink after their last encounter ended in a humiliating 7-0 defeat. Brighton’s attacking style could play into Forest’s hands once again if they fail to make adjustments, but with a place in the semi-finals on the line, expect a fierce contest.
