A maximum of nine Premier League teams will reach the fifth round of the FA Cup, an indication of the major shocks served up during the third round.
Stevenage’s 2-1 win at Aston Villa, which featured an 88th-minute equaliser followed by a 90th-minute winner from the League Two side, was arguably the pick of the upsets earlier this month.
Newcastle United also tumbled out, losing at League One Sheffield Wednesday, while Blackpool ran out comfortable 4-1 winners over Nottingham Forest.
A host of all-Premier League ties also resulted in the draw opening up, with Manchester City knocking out Chelsea, Southampton beating Crystal Palace, West Ham winning at Brentford and Liverpool overcoming Wolves after a replay.
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And a look at the fourth-round fixtures this weekend shows fewer than half of the top-tier clubs will progress.
The action starts at the Etihad on Friday night with Premier League leaders Arsenal taking on their main title rivals Manchester City.
With a first league title since 2004 in their sights, Arsenal would be forgiven for fielding a weaker side in Manchester, but manager Mikel Arteta – who won the FA Cup in his first season in charge in 2019-20 – is taking the tie seriously as he faces former colleague Pep Guardiola.
“It is a competition that is very important to us, very attached to our club and history and will define a moment that is for sure,” he said, before adding on fighting for trophies against Guardiola: “I always hoped that was going to be the case one day and it’s happening this season.
“That’s not going to change any friendship, the moments that we have, how important he is in my life, how important he is in my profession.
“We’re both willing to win and defend our clubs in any way and that’s always been the case since day one. I would prefer to do it with someone else to be fair.”
FA Cup 4th round and TV schedule
All times GMT – TV fixtures in bold
Friday 27 January
- 8pm: Manchester City vs Arsenal (ITV 1)
Saturday 28 January
- 12.30pm: Accrington Stanley vs Leeds (BBC One)
- 12.30pm: Walsall vs Leicester City
- 3pm: Southampton vs Blackpool
- 3pm: Fulham vs Sunderland
- 3pm: Ipswich Town vs Burnley
- 3pm: Luton Town vs Grimsby Town
- 3pm: Blackburn Rovers vs Birmingham City
- 3pm: Sheffield Wednesday vs Fleetwood Town
- 3pm: Bristol City vs West Brom
- 6pm: Preston North End vs Tottenham (BBC One)
- 8pm: Manchester United vs Reading (ITV 4)
Sunday 29 January
- 1.30pm: Brighton vs Liverpool (ITV 1)
- 2pm: Stoke City vs Stevenage
- 4.30pm: Wrexham vs Sheffield United (BBC One)
Monday 30 January
- 7.45pm: Derby County vs West Ham (ITV 4)
Beyond Friday night’s blockbuster tie, there is a chance for Liverpool to exact revenge on Brighton come Sunday following their Premier League defeat on the south coast earlier this month.
Stevenage’s reward for beating Villa is a trip to Stoke on Sunday, while National League leaders Wrexham host Sheffield United on the same day.
Last time out, Wrexham co-owner Rob McElhenney was unable to watch some of his side’s shock 4-3 win over Coventry after coverage of the match cut out in the United States.
“What’s happening????” McElhenney asked on Twitter, before fellow owner Ryan Reynolds said: “I’m completely and totally speechless. What a club. What a town. What a win. Wrexham forever.”
We’re just getting started.
— Rob McElhenney (@RMcElhenney) January 7, 2023@Wrexham_AFC
McElhenney then joked Sheffield United were the “enemy”, saying: “I visited Sheffield last summer! The town was beautiful and the people couldn’t be more welcoming.
“They of course are the enemy now and their tyrannical reign through the Championship must be stopped a la Goliath. But lovely people.”
One of the standout matches, given Sheffield United are flying high in the Championship, that match gets the Sunday 4.30pm billing on BBC One.
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The FA Cup 4th round draw in full as Man City host Arsenal and Liverpool get Brighton26 January, 2023Elsewhere, the potential for surprises are at Walsall at Saturday lunchtime when they take on Leicester, likewise when Accrington Stanley host Leeds.
Preston then take on Tottenham at home on Saturday evening, while on Monday night Derby welcome West Ham to Pride Park.
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