Womens FA Cup preview:…

This weekend marks the return of the thrilling knockout stage of domestic football with the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

Earlier, clubs from the Women’s Super League (WSL) entered the competition, with 10 of the 12 clubs still vying for glory—only Leicester City and Aston Villa have already exited.

Surprises are still very much on the table: Oxford United from tier three and Chatham Town, the lowest-ranked team from the fourth tier, are among the non-WSL competitors still fighting for progress.

The standout clash this weekend features Chelsea and Manchester United, the two most recent champions of the competition, battling to secure a spot in the quarterfinals.

Here are five key narratives to follow this weekend:

Epic Matchup

The highlight of the weekend is the encounter between Chelsea and United, marking yet another chapter in their fierce FA Cup rivalry. In their last matchup in this tournament, Chelsea triumphed with a convincing 3-0 victory in last year’s final. Just a year prior, United claimed their first title after defeating Chelsea in the semifinals, having lost to them in the final before that.

This year presents a different scenario: Both teams find themselves significantly trailing champions-in-waiting City by at least eight points and face challenging routes in the Champions League—Chelsea is up against Arsenal in the quarterfinals, while United must overcome Atlético Madrid to progress towards a possible clash with Bayern Munich. Their paths to silverware are narrowing.

Moreover, the two teams are set to clash again on March 15 in the League Cup final, making this FA Cup encounter crucial for the one that ends up on the losing side.

Other contenders will be keeping a close watch, as one of the previous champions will be eliminated, improving their odds of avoiding another top WSL team in the subsequent round.

Ambitious Mid-Table Teams

For clubs without a realistic shot at the WSL title, a strong cup showing is vital. It not only boosts end-of-season earnings but also elevates team morale, especially for those pushing for a higher table finish.

This weekend’s Merseyside Derby features Everton, now managerless following Brian Sorenson’s departure, taking on Liverpool, who recently managed to escape relegation troubles. Both sides are eager for a chance at silverware.

West Ham United and their new manager Rita Guarino have also turned their season around, while Brighton, who have lost their last two matches, will be desperate to turn things around.

Remarkably, the last team outside the WSL’s top three to win the Women’s FA Cup was Birmingham City in 2012. With one of United (currently second) or Chelsea (third) guaranteed to exit this round, there is hope for an upset this year.

Monday Night Showdown

While the FA Cup matches are strategically spread out over the weekend, the distribution is notably skewed. The only match scheduled for Saturday is between Birmingham City and Chatham Town (5:15 p.m. GMT), with others set for Sunday, except for the encounter between the London City Lionesses and Tottenham Hotspur, which is slated for Monday night (7:30 p.m. GMT).

This scheduling could reduce viewership and attendance since many young fans involved in school may miss out on the game, especially with players in the upcoming Asian Cup unavailable.

The logistics seem counterintuitive given that the weekend was reserved for FA Cup action, potentially affecting the audience that would have tuned in or attended if the match had been held on Saturday or Sunday.

Potential Blowouts

League leaders Manchester City presently hold an eight-point lead in the WSL and boast an impressive goal difference of 34, as they face struggling Sheffield United, currently sitting 10th in WSL 2. Anticipate a potentially lopsided scoreline.

Although City may opt to rest some key players, even a rotated squad could likely overpower Sheffield United, who have struggled offensively with only 11 goals and 22 conceded in the WSL 2.

Birmingham City, vying for a WSL spot, will face Chatham Town, the lowest-ranked side in this round, hailing from the fourth tier (National League Division One South East). Given the significant disparity in experience, quality, and resources between the two teams, the outcome could result in a considerable scoreline.

The other tier-three side, Oxford United, will encounter Charlton, who are poised to claim the WSL 2 title this season with an unbeaten record through 15 league matches. While the underdogs face an uphill battle, history shows that surprises are not uncommon in the FA Cup.

Upset Alert

The competition for promotion to the WSL is intensifying, with the league expanding next season. The top two teams will secure automatic promotion, while the third-place team has a playoff against the lowest-ranked WSL club. This weekend’s FA Cup matches might play a pivotal role in this race.

Only three points separate Birmingham City (second) and Newcastle United (fifth), with Crystal Palace (third) and Bristol City (fourth) in between. This weekend, Bristol City will travel to meet world champions Arsenal, who have not lifted the Women’s FA Cup in the past decade. Although a win for Bristol City might not necessarily lead them to Wembley, it could provide a much-needed morale boost as they pursue promotion.