All four FA Cup quarter-final ties will take place over the weekend of 4-5 April
Manchester City will face Liverpool at the Etihad Stadium in the standout tie of the FA Cup quarter-finals after Monday’s draw.
Both sides have a lot to compete for in the Premier League and are also juggling European commitments, but this FA Cup game promises to be keenly contested. City finished trophyless last season and Liverpool desperately need silverware to salvage their poor season.
In other parts of the round, League One side Port Vale will travel to Chelsea in a fixture that is much welcome by their fans. Vale produced the story of the fifth round when they stunned Premier League side Sunderland with a 1-0 victory on Sunday, reaching the last eight of the FA Cup for the first time since 1954.
A trip to Stamford Bridge to face one of the biggest Premier League sides and the current Club World Cup champions is irresistible to Vale supporters, regardless of the outcome of the fixture, although they will be rightly targeting a giant-killing.
Chelsea themselves were forced to battle hard to avoid a shock exit in the previous round. The London side twice came from behind before eventually overcoming 10-man Wrexham 4-2 after extra time in a dramatic contest at Stok Cae Ras. They will also be expected to defeat a side eight points adrift at the bottom of League One.
Premier League leaders Arsenal will travel to Championship side Southampton in yet another favourable tie for the Gunners. The Saints booked their place in the quarter-finals thanks to Ross Stewart’s stoppage-time penalty in a 1-0 victory at Fulham, while Arsenal advanced after defeating Mansfield in the fifth round.
Mikel Arteta’s side have yet to face Premier League opposition in this season’s competition after earlier wins against Portsmouth, Wigan and then Mansfield.
West Ham United will host Leeds United in the remaining quarter-final tie. The Premier League relegation-threatened Hammers secured their place after overcoming Brentford on penalties on Monday night, while Leeds progressed comfortably with a 3-0 victory against Norwich.
All four FA Cup quarter-final ties will take place over the weekend of 4-5 April.
