The confrontation between Manchester City and Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium leads this year’s FA Cup quarter-finals.
At least one high-profile matchup was very likely to feature, considering the large number of top Premier League clubs still in the draw. City and Liverpool were the ones who got the worst of it by being paired with each other. If the match is as exciting as the end of their recent league clash, fans can expect a real spectacle.
Chelseaonce again, avoided rivals from the same division and is preparing to receive Port Vale. The League One team, fighting to avoid relegation, caused a surprise in the fifth round by eliminating a disengaged Sunderland, although not without frustrating their coach Jon Brady.
“To be honest, it’s a little painful,” Brady admitted after leading the third-division team to his first FA Cup quarter-final in 72 years. “It’s a privilege, but it’s also difficult.”
The last time Arsenal reached the quarterfinals of the FA Cup and ended up winning the tournament. The Gunners They hope to repeat that success after being paired with SouthamptonChampionship team. Mikel Arteta has yet to win a trophy in six years, but this season he is aiming for the four titles available.
Manchester City also look for your own quadrupleand he seems to be finding his best form at the right time. While teams like Arsenal and Chelsea have so far avoided facing Premier League rivals, City had to come from behind to win 3–1 al Newcastle United on Saturday. Now he will have to do it again the hard way with the visit of Liverpool.
Los Reds they had to overcome Wolverhampton Wanderers to enter the quarterfinal draw. That duel had a special flavor, since Liverpool had lost against the same rival in the same stadium just three nights before. Next month there could be more desire for revenge after the dramatic defeat they suffered in the league against City.
Leeds United has been optimistic about the possibility of achieving the quarterfinals for the first time since 2003. A confrontation against the winner of the match between West Ham United y Brentfordwhich plays Monday night, could add to that excitement even more.
We will take on Liverpool at the Etihad in the FA Cup quarter-finals 🏆 pic.twitter.com/9iODzV27aJ
— Manchester City (@ManCity) March 9, 2026
Complete Draw for the 2025–26 FA Cup Quarter-Finals
- Southampton vs. Arsenal
- Chelsea vs. Port Vale
- Manchester City vs. Liverpool
- West Ham United o Brentford vs. Leeds United
Quarterfinal Draw Numbers
- Southampton
- Port Vale
- Manchester City
- Leeds United
- Arsenal
- Liverpool
- Chelsea
- West Ham United o Brentford
FA Cup Quarter-Final Dates 2025–26
Los quarterfinals will begin the first weekend of Aprilcoinciding with Holy Week. This also happens a few days before the first leg matches of the Champions League quarterfinalsa tournament in which four of the teams still in the FA Cup could still be participating.
Arsenal is the clear favorite to beat a weakened version of the Bayer Leverkusen in the round of 16 of the Champions League, while Liverpool You probably trust your options against the Galatasarayeven without their starting goalkeeper.
However, Manchester City y Chelsea They have much more complicated European challenges before focusing on the FA Cup. City will renew their rivalry with Real Madridwhile the Blues They will face the current European champions, Paris Saint-Germain.
Original article translated from Sports Illustrated Soccer.
