The Vitality Women’s FA Cup returns this weekend with the remaining 16 clubs contesting eight fifth round ties.
With quarter-final places up for grabs, this weekend’s action promises to be well worth the wait. Amongst those clubs battling to take another step towards Wembley are three teams from the non-elite game and four sides from the FA Women’s Championship.
Ahead of the fifth round action, FAWSL Full-Time have reviewed the eight ties and here are three which could potentially offer cup shocks.
Liverpool v Arsenal
Long-time FA Women’s Championship leaders Liverpool will be aiming to prove that they are ready to return to the Barclays FA Women’s Super League when they host Arsenal at Prenton Park on Sunday.
The Reds look unstoppable in their quest for promotion and they come up against an Arsenal side who haven’t been at their absolute best since the start of the year. The Gunners have netted just twice in their last three fixtures in all competitions while they scraped past London City Lionesses in the fourth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup, winning 1-0 at the LV Bet Stadium.
Liverpool will have to be at the top of their game to cause an upset but given their form this season, there is no reason why they can’t pull it off.
Durham v Birmingham City
With Durham having been one of the strongest teams in the FA Women’s Championship in reason seasons, victory over struggling top tier side Birmingham City on Sunday may not be seen as a major shock. The Wildcats are one of the sides most likely to beat higher division opposition this weekend and are the one of the ones to watch out for in the fifth round.
Facing Durham on their artificial pitch at Maiden Castle is a tough ask for most teams, just ask Manchester United. With The Wildcats’ promotion bid all-but-over this season, they can put all of their focus and energy into the Vitality Women’s FA Cup and the opportunity to reach the quarter-finals.
Durham are known for their hustle and bustle with manager Lee Sanders having built a side with real physicality. Birmingham City are trying to play good football under their interim boss Darren Carter but they could struggle both with the pitch and the playing style of their opponents.
Charlton Athletic v Everton
Everton’s 4-0 Vitality Women’s FA Cup fourth round victory at third tier club Huddersfield Town offered them a brief moment of celebration in what has been a very poor campaign for the Merseyside club. The season started with talk of European qualification and silverware but it is likely to end with The Blue Girls in the lower reaches of the Barclays FA Women’s Super League table.
The fifth round of the Vitality Women’s FA Cup sees Everton travel to full-time FA Women’s Championship club Charlton Athletic. The Addicks are unbeaten in 10 matches in all competitions, a complete contrast to the run experienced by this weekend’s opponents.
Everton are very low on confidence and quality right now and this weekend’s tie looks to be incredibly tough. Charlton Athletic want to be playing alongside The Blue Girls in the top flight in the not-so-distant future and they have an opportunity to show their class on Sunday.
Vitality Women’s FA Cup Fifth Round Ties