Get ready for the FA Cup fourth-round draw, an event that promises to be a thrilling spectacle! The fate of 32 teams will be decided, and the road to glory begins here.
The draw will be held at Anfield, setting the stage for an exciting evening. Liverpool fans will have an extra reason to cheer as the draw takes place before their third-round match against Barnsley. Mark your calendars for approximately 6:35 pm, and tune in to TNT Sports 1, discovery+, or the TNT Sports YouTube channel to witness the action live.
Hosted by Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist, the draw will be conducted by two football legends: Steven Gerrard, a Liverpool icon, and Joe Cole, a former England international. These esteemed figures will ensure a fair and exciting process.
But here's where it gets interesting: the ball numbers reveal the teams' positions in the draw. Wolves, fresh from their 6-1 thrashing of Shrewsbury Town, will be ball number one. Aston Villa, West Brom, Birmingham City, and Stoke City are also among the top seeds. However, the real story is the inclusion of non-league side Macclesfield, who pulled off a remarkable feat by defeating the holders, Crystal Palace. Manager John Rooney dedicated this historic win to Ethan McLeod, a tragic loss to the football community.
The fourth-round matches are scheduled for the weekend of February 14th and 15th, a romantic gesture for football enthusiasts. The prize money is substantial, with the winners taking home a whopping £2.1 million. Even the losing sides in the third round walked away with £26,500 each, a testament to the FA Cup's generosity.
The ball numbers for the fourth round are as follows:
- Wolverhampton Wanderers
- Southampton
- Aston Villa
- Port Vale
- Wigan Athletic
- Ipswich Town
- Wrexham
- Chelsea
- Manchester City
- West Ham United
- Brentford
- Fulham
- Sunderland
- Liverpool or Barnsley
- Burnley
- Norwich City
- Arsenal
- Leeds United
- West Bromwich Albion
- Salford City or Swindon Town
- Burton Albion
- Grimsby Town
- Hull City
- Newcastle United
- Oxford United
- Leicester City
- Birmingham City
- Bristol City
- Stoke City
- Macclesfield
- Brighton & Hove Albion
- Mansfield Town
And this is the part most people miss: the fourth-round winners will pocket a cool £127,000. Imagine the celebrations and the impact this could have on smaller clubs!
So, who do you think will make it to the next round? Will the giants of the Premier League dominate, or will there be more giant-killing upsets? Share your predictions and thoughts in the comments below! Let's discuss and celebrate the beauty of the FA Cup together.
