The Women's FA Cup is heating up, and the fourth-round draw has thrown up some intriguing matchups that are sure to get fans talking. But here's where it gets controversial: defending champions Chelsea, fresh off their domestic treble last season, have been handed what seems like a favorable home tie against second-tier Crystal Palace. Is this a cakewalk for the holders, or could Palace pull off a stunning upset? And this is the part most people miss—while Chelsea dominated Manchester United 3-0 in last year's final, Palace, despite their relegation from the Women's Super League (WSL), are no pushovers and could be looking to make a statement.
Meanwhile, league leaders Manchester City face a tricky away trip to third-tier leaders Bournemouth, proving that cup football is anyone's game. Here’s a bold prediction: this match could be a potential banana skin for City, who’ll need to be at their best to avoid an early exit. Elsewhere, 14-time winners Arsenal host WSL rivals Aston Villa in a clash that promises goals and drama. North London rivals Tottenham also have an all-WSL tie, welcoming Leicester City to their home ground, while Manchester United travel to third-tier Burnley in a fixture that could see the underdogs rise to the occasion.
Other standout ties include London City Lionesses visiting WSL 2 side Sunderland and Brighton hosting second-tier Nottingham Forest. The fourth-round matches are set for the weekend of Saturday, 17 January, with specific dates still to be confirmed. But here’s the real question: with so many David vs. Goliath matchups, which team will emerge as the giant-killer this season?
For the full draw, here’s how the fixtures shape up:
- Charlton Athletic v Swindon Town
- AFC Bournemouth v Manchester City
- Ipswich Town v Sheffield United
- Oxford United v Middlesbrough
- Chatham Town v York City
- Arsenal v Aston Villa
- Manchester United v Burnley
- Southampton v Bristol City
- London Bees v Liverpool
- Tottenham Hotspur v Leicester City
- Brighton & Hove Albion v Nottingham Forest
- Chelsea v Crystal Palace
- Newcastle United v West Ham United
- Sunderland v London City Lionesses
- West Bromwich Albion v Everton
- Hull City v Birmingham City
As the drama unfolds, don’t forget to tune into the Women's Football Weekly podcast, where Ben Haines, Ellen White, and Jen Beattie break down all the action. New episodes drop every Tuesday on BBC Sounds, with exclusive interviews and extra content from the WSL and beyond. But here’s the final thought: With so many unpredictable fixtures, who do you think will lift the trophy this year? Let us know in the comments—we’d love to hear your predictions and whether you agree with our controversial takes!
