Women's FA Cup fourth round preview: five things to look out for

The Women's FA Cup fourth round takes place on Sunday, with WSL sides entering the competition at this stage.

From potential cup upsets to throwbacks to FA Cup past, the fourth round has thrown up a selection of exciting fixtures.

Here's everything to look out for in round four.

Repeat of the 2006 & 2008 FA Cup finals

The FA Cup fourth round draw has thrown up a repeat of the 2006 and 2008 FA Cup finals, as 14-time champions Arsenal welcome Leeds to Meadow Park.

The Gunners legendary side under Vic Akers ran out 5-0 and 4-1 winners over Leeds in the pair of finals, with the likes of Kelly Smith, Rachel Yankey and Jayne Ludlow on the scoresheet.

Leeds also had a top women's side in the noughties, boasting England greats Sue Smith and Karen Walker, plus future Lionesses Steph Houghton, Jade Moore and Carly Telford.

However, the club saw their bid to join the WSL collapse in 2010, and they have not played in the top flight since. Leeds are currently plying their trade in the National League Division One North - the fourth tier of English football - and their meeting with heavyweights Arsenal on Sunday is one of the fourth round's fairytale ties.

Potential giant killings

There are a selection of fixtures with giant killing potential to keep your eyes on during fourth round weekend.

Championship leaders London City Lionesses travel to a Tottenham side who have won just two of their last eight in all competitions - with both victories coming in the Continental Cup group stages. The second tier side were dealt the blow of highly-regarded manager Melissa Phillips departing for Angel City on Monday, and her former assistant Nikita Runnacles will be in charge when London City travel to their WSL opponents on Sunday.

Hashtag United are currently flying high at the summit of the National League Division One South East with eight wins and a draw from their first nine league matches. They have been drawn against the Championship's basement side Coventry United. The mood and momentum does seem to be on the up in Coventry after a strong January window, with Lee Burch's side getting their first three points of the season against Crystal Palace on Sunday.

Ipswich have enjoyed a pair of cup runs in recent years, facing the might of Manchester City in round five in 2020 after recording a hat-trick of giant killings, and reaching the quarter finals in 2022, where they were narrowly beaten by West Ham. Although the tier three outfit not going quite as well in the league as they have in previous seasons, their meeting with Championship side Lewes could provide some more FA Cup magic for the Tractor Girls.

Sitting ahead of Ipswich in the National League Southern Premier Division are Oxford. The tier three table toppers are unbeaten in the league this season, and travel to high-flying Championship side Bristol City on Sunday. With promotion very much the number one aim for Bristol this season, they could field a second string side on Sunday and be there for the taking.

Last season's beaten semi finalists West Ham have a banana skin to navigate in the shape of Wolves. The tier three side were a game away from promotion to the Championship last term, and just goal difference is keeping them off top spot in Northern Premier Division this time around.

Former winners go head to head

Two teams with a proud FA Cup history go head to head at Walton Hall Park on Sunday, as 2010 champions Everton host 2012 winners Birmingham.

Everton secured a famous extra time win over Arsenal in 2010 thanks to a pair of Natasha Dowie goals to end the Gunners' run of dominance in the competition, while Birmingham twice came from a goal down to beat Chelsea on penalties in a dramatic 2012 final.

The pair also met in the FA Cup at the semi final stage in 2020, with Everton emerging victorious on that occasion.

Chelsea vs Liverpool, round two

Seven days on from the controversial WSL fixture that never was, Liverpool return to Kingsmeadow on Sunday to face reigning FA Cup holders Chelsea.

After newly-promoted Liverpool stunned the Blues on the opening day of the season, the reverse fixture was postponed six minutes after kick off last Sunday due to a frozen pitch, sparking criticism about the top flight's professionalism.

The pair meet again in one of two all-WSL round four clashes, as Chelsea begin their bid to win the FA Cup for a third season on the bounce.

Reading host Leicester in the round's only other all-WSL encounter.

Who will be the lowest ranked side in round five?

Cardiff, Leeds, Hashtag United and Wimbledon are currently the four lowest ranked sides left in the FA Cup, with the quartet flying the flag for tier four.

Leeds travel to Arsenal, Hashtag face Coventry and Wimbledon host Charlton. Cardiff being drawn away to tier three Burnley means there is guaranteed to be at least one National League side in round five - but whether there will be any representatives from tier four in the fifth round hat remains to be seen.

Tier three sides Wolves, Ipswich, West Brom, Oxford and Fylde will also be flying the flag for the National League this weekend.