Women’s FA Cup: Fourth round preview

Her Football Hub

·28 January 2022

Women’s FA Cup: Fourth round preview

The FA Cup is a special competition for many reasons. This weekend will see 32 teams face off for the chance of glory at Wembley Stadium in May.

Here is a look at all the teams involved tie-by-tie, plus a how to watch guide for finding game channels and streams.

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Aston Villa vs. Chelsea

Aston Villa will host current holders of the FA Cup, Chelsea. The last time these two faced each other back in November, the Blues won the game thanks to Jessie Fleming in the 22nd minute.

Since then, Villa have reinforced their squad in the winter transfer window with the loan signings of Manchester City’s central midfielder Jill Scott and defender Anna Patten from Arsenal.

Chelsea have lost Carly Telford to join former teammate and now manager Casey Stoney at San Diego Wave in the United States in this window. This is not all Chelsea have lost, with Australian Sam Kerr and South Korean Ji So-yun currently with their countries at the Asia Cup.

This will be an interesting one to watch, and with Chelsea being the favourites, it will be a tough match to call an outright winner.

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Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City

Nottingham Forest head into this game sitting fifth in the FA WNL Northern Premier.

In their most recent game, they lost 2-1 against Huddersfield Town. Forest will be hoping to knock out one of the favourites for this trophy.

The Citizens meanwhile, drew in their last game 1-1 with Arsenal in the WSL. They currently sit in fifth place, fighting for a spot in the Champions League at the end of the season.

This game is another one to watch with perhaps the chance of a giant-killing on show.

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Arsenal vs. London City Lionesses

The Gunners still lead the WSL after Sunday’s draw with Man City. With Tobin Heath scoring the first goal of the year for the North Londoners, there is a chance that the floodgates could open in this match.

London City Lionesses on the other hand, are the ones who will be waiting to take advantage of what has been a poor Arsenal side since December. In their last fixture, they won 1-0 against a newly revived Coventry United.

That victory now puts them into second place in the Championship. The Lionesses will be chasing Liverpool for a spot in the WSL next season and have a game in-hand over the Reds.

A clash in London is always one to look out for and not to mention that this fixture will be shown live on BBC.

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Plymouth Argyle vs. Charlton Athletic

Plymouth are one of the lowest sides left in the competition and currently 11th in the South FA WPL Division. In their previous game, the Pilgrims won 2-1 over Cardiff City.

The Addicks are another side who are chasing promotion to the WSL and currently sit third in the Championship. In their previous game, they beat Bristol City 2-0.

This FA Cup tie will be one to watch out for with perhaps a chance to take on a WSL side in the next round.

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Huddersfield Town vs. Everton

Huddersfield Town are currently third in the FA WPL Premier North Division. In their last game, the Terriers won 2-0 against Middlesbrough.

Everton will be looking to progress after a 3-0 loss to West Ham in their last match. The Toffees are struggling in 10th place in the WSL.

However, Everton have two games in-hand over other teams and could perhaps use this fixture as a springboard to bounce back and help push up the table.

A cup run might also help the side after not playing any matches due to postponements in their previous games.

Can Everton build up their confidence after last week’s loss, or will Huddersfield have an opportunity for a giant-killing?

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Birmingham City vs. Sunderland

Birmingham City are currently flirting with relegation and are in 12th (rock bottom of the WSL). The Blues lost to Reading in a 3-2 thriller last weekend.

Birmingham will look to change their fortunes in the FA Cup.

The Black Cats are having a mixed season and find themselves ninth in the Championship but do have a game in hand over some of their rivals.

However, last time out Sunderland lost 2-0 to Lewes while both teams had a player sent off.

With both teams in similar run of form, this could be the tightest tie of the round. Perhaps one that both sets of fans will be watching in anticipation and fear.

Sheffield United vs. West Ham United

The Hammers won 3-0 at the weekend against Everton and will hope to progress into the next round.

With West Ham playing well gaining four points in both of their WSL games this month have seen them rise to seventh in the table.

The Blades are currently eighth in the Championship and drew 1-1 with Durham last weekend.

Sheffield will be hoping to cause an upset against a West Ham team that is full of confidence at the moment. Could the Blades fortune turn around this weekend?

Durham vs. Blackburn Rovers

Durham drew 1-1 with Sheffield United and are currently fourth in the Championship.

They will take on fellow side Blackburn Rovers who currently are 10th in the Championship table. In their last game, Rovers drew with Watford 0-0.

In their last meeting Durham won 3-1 that was over a month ago and will be intriguing to see how both teams will meet the challenge of facing each other once again.

Brighton & Hove Albion vs. Reading

Brighton are currently eighth in the WSL. The Seagulls have recently done well, gaining a point against a Chelsea side that was hoping to push their title rivals.

Reading beat Birmingham City in a thrilling 3-2 game. Those three points helped the Royals push to sixth.

The last time these two faced each other was when Reading won 2-0 at home. With one of these two losing out a spot in the next round it will interesting to see how both of these teams are prepared for this fixture.

Southampton vs. Bristol City

Bristol lost 2-0 to Charlton Athletic and now are sixth in the Championship.

The Saints took on Bournemouth and won 3-0 in their FA National League Southern Premier match. Southampton are now placed third in their league.

Can the Saints cause an upset against the Robins?

West Bromwich Albion vs. Exeter City

West Brom play in the Womens Premier North Division. They are currently placed eighth in the division after a 1-0 victory against Stoke City.

Exeter City play in the FA Division One South West and recently lost 1-0 to Maidenhead United. The Grecians are currently sixth in their league.

Can Exeter pull off an upset against The Baggies?

Tottenham Hotspur vs Leicester City

Tottenham’s last game was an 3-0 away loss to Manchester United. The North London outfit will be looking to bounce back, after dropping down to fourth in the WSL.

Leicester lost 2-1 to Aston Villa—the loss allowed relegation and midland rivals Birmingham a chance to overtake them only to lose themselves. City are still 11th in the WSL.

Tottenham last won this fixture 2-0 earlier this season. Can the Foxes overcome their league troubles and go on a cup run? Or will it be Spurs into the next round?

Bridgwater United vs. Manchester United

Manchester United put three unanswered goals past Tottenham Hotspur to reach second in the WSL. They also still have a game in hand.

Bridgwater United won 2-0 against Milton Keynes Dons. With that victory United are now fourth in the FA Womens National League Southern Premier.

Could the Southern Premier side produce one of the shocks of the round and defeat Manchester United?

Billericay Town vs. Coventry United

Coventry are back! After some last minute issues, United recently played one of their first games of the new year. They lost to London City Lionesses 1-0.

Coventry will be hoping to have a cup run to assist in their attempt to escape the drop. A win could provide much needed support in their hopes to avoid relegation come the end of the Championship season.

Billericay Town are currently second in the FA Women’s National League Division One South East. In their last game against London Seaward, they won 2-0.

This game will be one to watch for many different reasons, especially after Coventry resurfaced with the ability to field a team once again.

That’s not all. With Billericay being in a positive position in their league table, they will be hoping to cause an upset in the current Coventry camp and have their own FA Cup run?

Liverpool vs. Lincoln City

Liverpool are still top of the table in the Championship after a 4-0 win against Crystal Palace. The Reds are seven points ahead of nearest team London City Lionesses.

Lincoln City currently play in the FA Women’s National League Division One Midlands and lost their previous game 2-1 against Boldmere. The Imps are in fourth in their division.

Will the Reds see off the Imps or will Lincoln be able to push past Liverpool to perhaps set up a dream FA Cup tie against a WSL team in the next round?

Newcastle United vs. Ipswich Town

Newcastle United are currently first in FA Women’s Division One North and are in front by just one point of their nearest rivals for promotion. The Geordies are in excellent form winning their previous match against Bradford City 6-1.

Ipswich Town are in a similar position and are on top of the FA Southern Premier Division by six points having played one more then their promotion rivals. In their previous game against Keysham Town they won 5-2.

The Blues also have another match ahead of their FA Cup game against Gillingham.

With such a treat of an FA Cup tie, it’s hard to predict a winner for this one perhaps this might be the tie to watch if you are looking for end-to-end action.

Overview

So there you have it, the FA Cup has thrown in some great ties this round. Some will see teams clash from the same leagues, while some are hoping to avoid the drop. But at the end of the day this is the Women’s FA Cup. You are in it to win it and, just like anything else in football, anything is possible.

Will we see some giant-killing or will we see some fortunes being made by some of the so-called smaller clubs?

Who knows for sure, but make sure you’re ready for the magic that is the FA Cup. Check out TV listings for the fourth round below.