FA Cup 2024/25 predictions: Fifth round

The FA Cup quarter-finals are just one match away for the 16 sides competing in the upcoming fifth round.

With four of the traditional 'big six' having already been dumped out of the competition, the door has opened for a surprise champion in the 2024/25 edition of the world's oldest cup competition.

There are five Championship sides remaining and a host of Premier League underdogs eyeing glory, with this year's showpiece event at Wembley Stadium edging tantalisingly closer.

Here is how 90min thinks the FA Cup fifth round could pan out.

Friday 28 February

Aston Villa kick off the fifth round by welcoming Cardiff City to the West Midlands on Friday evening. The West Midlands outfit will have one eye on their upcoming Champions League clash with Club Brugge but should have few issues overcoming the Championship strugglers, who are still fighting a relegation battle in the second tier.

Villa haven't made it to the quarter-finals of the FA Cup since 2014/15, but they reached the final that season - albeit losing 4-0 to Arsenal at Wembley.

Saturday 1 March

The blockbuster fixture of Saturday comes in the late kick-off at the Etihad Stadium where Manchester City, who have reached the last two finals, host surprise overachievers Plymouth Argyle. The FA Cup has proven a catalyst for the Pilgrims' survival bid in the Championship after mightily impressive 1-0 triumphs over Premier League duo Brentford and Liverpool.

Could Plymouth pull off another shock against the Cityzens? Probably not, but the questionable form of Pep Guardiola's side offers them a sliver of hope.

Crystal Palace reunite with old London rivals Millwall in one of two early kick-offs. The Eagles haven't locked horns with their adversaries since an FA Cup meeting in 2022, with their most recent competitive duel prior staged back in in 2013. They seldom face one another these days but there should be fireworks regardless at Selhurst Park.

Preston North End vs Burnley is the only all-Championship tie of the fifth round, with neutrals hoping for a more exciting battle than the goalless draw in the league two weeks ago. Neither side score or concede many, with the Clarets having kept nine consecutive clean sheets.

Bournemouth and Wolverhampton Wanderers were foes in the Premier League only last weekend, with the latter coming out on top against their ten-man hosts on that occasion. Illia Zabarnyi's red card proved costly for the Cherries but they should earn revenge this weekend against Vitor Pereira's unpredictable outfit.

Sunday 2 March

Manchester United are the reigning champions after last year's triumph over Man City salvaged a dismal campaign. The Red Devils could use a similar escape this term under struggling Ruben Amorim, who will have to navigate a meeting with Fulham in the fifth round. The Cottagers have never won the FA Cup before but will get few better opportunities than this year.

Newcastle United will host Brighton & Hove Albion prior to the duel at Old Trafford, a fixture which should provide a healthy dose of entertainment. Both teams have proven unpredictable this term but have immense attacking potential, with the Magpies having shown their capabilities in the cup competitions over recent years.

Monday 3 March

Nottingham Forest were made to work extremely hard by Exeter City in the previous round, needing penalties to beat the League One outfit. The Tricky Trees have failed to win any of their three fixtures since but should still have enough in the tank to beat misfiring Ipswich Town. With Premier League survival on the mind, Kieran McKenna's side will not be prioritising the FA Cup this term.

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