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Big Guns Get a Sweet Fourth Round Draw in the FA Cup — and a Whole Lot of Question Marks

12 January 2026

Big Guns Get a Sweet Fourth Round Draw in the FA Cup — and a Whole Lot of Question Marks
City and the other giants eye smooth routes as the FA Cup fourth round takes shape

Draw overview

Manchester City will host the winner of the Salford City vs Swindon Town tie, while Liverpool's path could hinge on the outcome of their match against Barnsley, as they would then face Brighton in the next round. The magic of the FA Cup fourth round shows a mix of giants and lower-league sides, with a historic moment already etched by Macclesfield.

Macclesfield, a non-league side in the Northern Premier, stunned Crystal Palace 2-1 in a weekend shock that ranks among the competition’s top upsets. This result has re-energized supporters and reminded everyone that the Cup can still throw up fairy-tale moments.

In other ties, the winner of the Salford City vs Swindon Town tie will welcome Manchester City. Chelsea’s new manager, Liam Rosinior, will lead his side to face his former club Hull City. Arsenal, the league leaders and record 14-time FA Cup winners, will entertain Wigan Athletic at the Emirates, while Burnley travel to Mansfield Town from League One.

Only one all-Premier League clash is currently on the cards: Aston Villa vs Newcastle United. However, that could change if Liverpool or Barnsley pull off a result, with the winner then hosting Brighton.

The matches are scheduled for the weekend of February 14-15.

Draw results to note include: Liverpool / Barnsley vs Brighton; Stoke City vs Fulham; Oxford United vs Sunderland; Southampton vs Leicester City; Wrexham vs Ipswich Town; Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic; Hull City vs Chelsea; Burton Albion vs West Ham United; Burnley vs Mansfield Town; Norwich City vs West Bromwich Albion; Port Vale vs Bristol City; Grimsby Town vs Wolverhampton Wanderers; Aston Villa vs Newcastle United; Manchester City vs Salford City / Swindon Town; Macclesfield vs Brentford; Birmingham City vs Leeds United.

What to watch: a blend of heavyweight fixtures, potential upsets, and the Cup’s enduring charm as football’s stopwatch slows for a weekend of drama and late drama on the doorstep of the business end of the season.

Punchline time, Sniper-style: If football were a shopping list, these draws would be the “easy picks” section—giants grazing on a buffet while the rest hunt for the last onion in the cupboard. And if schedules were jokes, this set would be the punchline: big clubs with big egos, small teams with big hearts, and a trophy that loves to surprise everyone at the till.

Punchline 2: The Cup isn’t a sprint, it’s a marathon with tea breaks—these fixtures prove even a non-league giant can dream in green:

Author

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Michael Whooosh

I am Michael Whooosh, an English sports journalist born in 1986. Passionate about surfing, poetry, and beekeeping, I share my human and sensitive view of sports.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the significance of the fourth round in the FA Cup?

It marks the stage where top teams from the Premier League start facing a mix of lower-league clubs, often revealing fairy-tale upsets and riveting matchups.

Which top teams have favorable draws in this round?

Manchester City and Arsenal have draws that could be seen as favorable, with City facing the winner of a lower-league tie and Arsenal at home to Wigan Athletic, among others.

When will the fourth round matches be played?

The matches are scheduled for the weekend of February 14-15.

Which lower-league side caused a major upset in the draw?

Macclesfield, a non-league club, defeated Crystal Palace 2-1 to reach the fourth round and earn a high-profile tie.