Women’s FA Cup preview: Chelsea and Manchester United face off once more

The excitement and intensity of knockout domestic football make a return this weekend with the fifth round of the Women’s FA Cup.

Women’s Super League (WSL) teams entered the competition in the previous round, with 10 out of 12 clubs still in the running—only Leicester City and Aston Villa have been eliminated.

Significant upsets remain a possibility: Oxford United from the third tier and Chatham Town, the lowest-ranked team from the fourth tier, are the last remaining sides not from the WSL.

A notable matchup features Chelsea and Manchester United, the two most recent champions of the tournament, as they compete for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Here are five key points to watch this weekend.

Heavyweight clash

The most significant match of the weekend sees Chelsea take on United in the latest FA Cup encounter between these two teams.

The last meeting in this competition occurred during last year’s final, where Chelsea secured a 3-0 victory over United. The previous year, United claimed the trophy for the first time after defeating Chelsea in the semifinals to reach Wembley. Chelsea had triumphed over United the season before in 2023.

This year’s cup tie presents a different scenario: Both clubs are trailing at least eight points behind the title favorites, City, in the WSL, and both face challenging paths to the Champions League final—Chelsea will meet Arsenal in the quarterfinals, while United must overcome Atlético Madrid for a chance to face Bayern Munich. Their opportunities for silverware are diminishing.

Additionally, they are set to clash again on March 15 in the League Cup final. The team that loses that match may look to the FA Cup as a final realistic opportunity for silverware.

Other teams in the competition will also be monitoring this matchup, as it means one of the top four and former champions will be eliminated, decreasing the likelihood of facing a top WSL team in the next round.

Mid-table silverware chasers

For clubs that realistically cannot secure the WSL title, a successful cup run can be equally significant. It offers a chance to enhance end-of-season earnings and team morale, which is crucial for many of these teams striving to finish as high as possible in the standings.

The Merseyside Derby between Everton, who are currently without a manager following the dismissal of Brian Sorenson, and Liverpool, who recently climbed out of the bottom of the table, could influence the trajectory of the remainder of the season. Both teams will be eager to move closer to a shot at silverware.

West Ham United, who were perilously close to relegation before securing vital points, have an opportunity to build on their momentum under new manager Rita Guarino, while Brighton, having lost their last two league matches, will seek a result to initiate a rise up the table.

The last team to win the Women’s FA Cup while finishing outside the WSL’s top three was Birmingham City in 2012. With one of United (second) or Chelsea (third) certain to exit the competition this weekend, there is hope that a similar outcome could occur this year.

Monday night kick off

Although a gameweek has been designated for FA Cup matches, allowing non-participating teams to rest, the schedule is unevenly distributed over the weekend. Only Birmingham City vs. Chatham Town is scheduled for Saturday (5.15 p.m. GMT), while the remainder are set for Sunday, except for London City Lionesses vs. Tottenham Hotspur, which has been assigned the Monday night (7.30 p.m. GMT) slot.

Staggering the kick-off times aims to enhance viewership, but a Monday night fixture means players involved in the upcoming Asian Cup will be unavailable, as well as limiting the attendance of school-age children.

This decision appears counterproductive given that the weekend is specifically allocated for FA Cup matches and may affect potential audiences who might have watched or attended if the game were scheduled for Saturday or Sunday.

Big scorelines pending

With league leaders Manchester City, eight points ahead in the WSL and boasting a 34-point goal difference, set to face struggling Sheffield United, currently 10th in WSL 2, a significant scoreline is anticipated.

City may opt to rest some key players; however, even without a full-strength squad, City could overpower Sheffield United, who have managed only 11 goals while conceding 22 in WSL 2.

Birmingham City, aiming for a position in the WSL by season’s end, will meet Chatham Town, the lowest-ranked side from the fourth tier, National League Division One South East. Given the vast differences in experience, quality, and resources, a substantial scoreline is likely.

The only other tier-three team, Oxford United, will face Charlton, the WSL 2 champions-elect, who remain unbeaten through 15 league matches this season.

While the underdogs have a slim chance of advancing, unexpected outcomes are part of the allure of the FA Cup.

Upset watch

The competition for promotion to the WSL is intensifying. Two teams will be automatically promoted as the league expands next season, while the third-place team will compete against the lowest-ranked WSL side in a playoff. This weekend’s FA Cup matches could have an impact on this race.

Only three points separate Birmingham City (second) and Newcastle United (fifth), with Crystal Palace (third) and Bristol City (fourth) positioned in between.

This weekend, Bristol City will travel to face world champions Arsenal, who have not won the Women’s FA Cup in ten years. A victory for Bristol City this weekend may not ultimately lead to a place at Wembley in May, but it would still serve as a morale booster and a catalyst for promotion aspirations.