Last Eight Standing: FA Cup Quarterfinal
One country, countless leagues, and every team had a chance. Now, only eight remain. Seven teams from the Premier League stand ready, sharpened by the toughest competition in the world. Yet, one club from the Championship remains, refusing to fade in the face of giants. The stage is set for March 29th. The FA Cup Quarterfinals will be electric as Brighton takes on Nottingham Forest, Preston faces Aston Villa, Fulham battles Crystal Palace, and Bournemouth clashes with Manchester City. Only four will take the next step toward Wembley. Who will rise, and who will fall?
Brighton vs. Nottingham Forest
Last time these two teams met in February, it did not bode well for Brighton, as Nottingham Forest ran away with a 7-0 victory. Nottingham Forest has been one of the surprise stories of the Premier League season, currently sitting third in the table. Forest has relied heavily on Chris Wood, who has been in incredible form, scoring an impressive 18 goals. Morgan Gibbs-White is the next closest contributor, with just five goals this season. If they are to advance past Brighton, Wood must put on another dominant performance. Meanwhile, Brighton, sitting in eighth, has taken a more balanced approach, with three players all tied on seven goals: João Pedro, Kaoru Mitoma, and Danny Welbeck. If the Seagulls want to move on, their attacking trio must step up and find the back of the net. Brighton will be looking for redemption, with their previous defeat still in their heads, but Forest will aim to prove that they are here to stay.
Preston vs. Aston Villa
It’s the first time since 1966 that Preston North End has made it into the final eight of the FA Cup, a great achievement for them. As the only non-Premier League team left in the competition, they carry the underdog banner proudly, but their challenge is a formidable one. Standing in their way is Aston Villa, a team having a mediocre season, currently sitting 10th in the Premier League. Despite their league position, Villa has been solid all year long, and their star forward, Ollie Watkins is ready to put on a show. Leading the team with 12 goals and six assists, Watkins will play a crucial role in breaking down Preston’s defense and guiding Villa to the semi-finals. Meanwhile, Preston will look to Emil Riis Jakobsen, who has nine goals this season, to inspire an upset. As the only Championship side left in the competition, they have already defied expectations to reach this stage, and with the spirit of 1966 behind them, they’ll believe anything is possible.
Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
Two London clubs collide in the FA Cup quarterfinals as Fulham takes on Crystal Palace. Both teams have had mediocre campaigns this season, with Fulham sitting ninth and Crystal Palace sitting 12th. They have faced each other twice already this season, and the series is locked at one win apiece, setting the stage for a final showdown. Fulham will be relying on Raúl Jiménez to make an impact up front, while Crystal Palace will turn to Jean-Philippe Mateta to push them through. With both teams battling for mid-table stability in the league, this FA Cup clash presents an opportunity to salvage their season with a shot at silverware. It’s a London derby with high stakes, and with a trip to Wembley on the line, expect drama, passion, and a battle that could go down to the wire.
Bournemouth vs. Man City
This could be the best match of the FA Cup Quarterfinals. An aggressive-minded and impressive Bournemouth is charging straight at a Manchester City squad that has had its ups and downs this season. Both teams have something to prove, and with a spot in the semi-finals at stake, expect a fiercely competitive battle from start to finish. City will need to trust their star power to get the job done. Erling Haaland, who has had a quieter stretch by his high standards, will need to step up and create some magic to keep City’s offense alive. Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s attack has been relentless, and their hopes rest on Justin Kluivert, who has been their biggest attacking threat. The Dutch winger leads the squad with 12 goals and five assists this season. City is the favorite on paper, but Bournemouth has proven they can go toe-to-toe with top teams. If there’s a game to watch in this round, it’s this one.
