The FA Cup Fourth Round draw has taken place, and the excitement is palpable now that the tournament is entering its critical stages. This round promises intriguing matchups, with a mix of top-tier Premier League giants and determined lower-league underdogs. But here’s where it gets truly interesting—this season’s tournament will see a brand-new champion crowned, as Macclesfield, a team from the sixth tier of English football, spectacularly eliminated Crystal Palace, the previous holders. Their stunning victory guarantees that the FA Cup will have a new winner this year, sparking excitement and debate among football fans.
An added twist? The draw reveals a London-based Premier League side, Brentford, will face Macclesfield in the fourth round. This game was decided in the draw held before Liverpool’s match against Barnsley, highlighting that surprises can happen at any stage of this legendary competition.
For those eager to follow all the action — including match scores, detailed schedules, and highlights — they can check out the full coverage on NBC Sports’ dedicated page. Notably, Macclesfield’s giant-killing act over Crystal Palace is considered one of the most memorable upsets in FA Cup history, with many debating where it ranks among other giant killings.
In other notable matchups, Chelsea’s new head coach Liam Rosenior will face his former club Hull City, adding a personal layer of intrigue. Meanwhile, Aston Villa, having beaten Tottenham Hotspur, now faces a tough challenge against Newcastle United, one of the Premier League’s strongest sides.
The FA Cup’s charm partly lies in the inclusion of underdogs from lower divisions. This year, numerous teams from below the Premier League and Championship tiers have secured their places in the fourth round, elevating the tournament’s unpredictability. The draw has made it clear that at least some of these smaller clubs might make it all the way to the last 16.
Looking ahead, the fourth round matches are scheduled for the weekend of February 14-15, with some games possibly taking place as early as Friday the 13th and later into Monday the 16th — giving fans plenty of opportunities to catch the action.
For those wanting to watch the draw live, it will be streamed online via YouTube at 1:30 pm ET on Monday, January 12. Fans can tune in to stay updated on the matchups and to get a sneak peek at the drama that’s about to unfold.
So far, the third-round winners include a diverse array of clubs from various tiers:
- Premier League: Wolverhampton Wanderers, Newcastle United, Manchester City, Fulham, Brentford, Sunderland, Burnley, Aston Villa, Chelsea, Leeds United, Arsenal, West Ham United, Brighton & Hove Albion.
- Championship: Southampton, Wrexham, Oxford United, Leicester City, Ipswich Town, Stoke City, Bristol City, Birmingham City, Norwich City, West Bromwich Albion.
- League One: Port Vale, Wigan Athletic, Burton Albion, Mansfield Town.
- League Two: Grimsby Town.
- National League North: Macclesfield.
The upcoming fourth-round matchups are as follows:
• 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
The draw is also organized by ball numbers, which help identify each team easily during the process. For example, Wolves are assigned number 1, Southampton number 2, Aston Villa number 3, and so on — through to Mansfield Town, which is number 32.
Finally, this season’s FA Cup continues to surprise and captivate, proving once again that magic in football often comes from the unlikeliest of sources. Do you think this year’s tournament will be remembered for its giant killings and breakthroughs? Or is the dominance of the Premier League too overwhelming? Share your opinions and join the lively debate in the comments below!
