Road to Wembley: Fourth Round FA Cup Matches to Keep an Eye On

The FA Cup fourth round promises another weekend of drama, passion, and surprises as teams from across the football pyramid compete for a spot in the next round. Liverpool, fresh off a dominant victory over Accrington Stanley, are set to travel south for a challenging match against Plymouth Argyle, who stunned Brentford in the previous round. Aston Villa and Tottenham will clash in a high-stakes Premier League battle, with both sides eager to advance. Meanwhile, Blackburn Rovers will host Wolves in a match poised for a potential upset. With underdogs dreaming big and giants aiming to avoid a stumble, these matches, scheduled for February 8th and 9th, promise to be story-worthy.

Plymouth Argyle vs. Liverpool

This FA Cup fourth-round matchup between Plymouth Argyle and Liverpool is shaping up to be a classic David vs. Goliath story. Liverpool, currently at the top of the Premier League, are in brilliant form and are showing no signs of slowing down. They secured their spot in the fourth round with a commanding 4-0 victory over League Two side Accrington Stanley. Goals from Diogo Jota, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Jayden Danns, and Federico Chiesa highlighted the incredible depth and quality within their squad. However, off the pitch, Liverpool is facing some challenges that could impact their long-term dominance. Contract negotiations with key players have raised questions about the club’s future. Trent Alexander-Arnold is reportedly in serious talks with Real Madrid, Mo Salah has hinted that this could be his final season at Anfield, and Virgil van Dijk has yet to be offered a new contract. While Liverpool’s squad is deep and talented, losing players of this caliber could test their ability to maintain their current form. 

Plymouth’s key threats include winger Morgan Whittaker, striker Michael Obafemi, and top scorer Mustapha Bundu, who has four goals this season. They’ll be pivotal if Plymouth hopes to replicate their third-round heroics. The last time these two sides met was in 2017, during the FA Cup third round. After a surprising 0-0 draw at Anfield, Liverpool edged Plymouth 1-0 in the replay. For Plymouth, this match is an opportunity to test themselves against one of England’s elite and continue their fairy-tale run. For Liverpool, it’s a chance to progress further in a competition they’ve historically thrived in while avoiding an upset on the road. While Liverpool are the overwhelming favorites, Plymouth will look to their home crowd and fighting spirit to make this a contest to remember.

Aston Villa vs. Tottenham

The FA Cup fourth round features a Premier League showdown as Aston Villa host Tottenham at Villa Park. Drawing a top-flight team at this stage is never ideal, and for Spurs, facing a healthy Villa side makes this one of the most exciting fixtures in the round. Tottenham will draw confidence from their dominant 4-1 win over Villa earlier in the Premier League season. Villa, under Unai Emery, has been solid and disciplined this season, particularly at home, and will look to continue their strong form. However, this is the FA Cup, a competition known for its unpredictability and unique challenges.

Tottenham fans will be looking towards James Maddison and Son Heung-min to deliver big moments and convert their chances. Aston Villa, on the other hand, will rely on the likes of Ollie Watkins, who has been in superb form lately. Also, Emiliano Martínez, whose heroics in goal could make the difference in this game. For both teams, the FA Cup represents a realistic chance to secure silverware this season. Tottenham, still searching for their first trophy since 2008, will see this as an opportunity to end their drought. Villa, meanwhile, are hungry to build on their recent progress under Emery and claim their first FA Cup title since 1957.

Blackburn Rovers vs. Wolves

This FA Cup fourth-round matchup between Blackburn Rovers and Wolves offers a chance for a major upset. Blackburn Rovers, currently sitting seventh in the Championship under manager John Eustace, earned their spot in the fourth round with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Middlesbrough. Their disciplined performance showcased what has made them a strong contender for promotion this season. On the other side, Wolves progressed after a narrow 2-1 win against Bristol City at Ashton Gate. Managed by Vitor Pereira, Wolves have shown flashes of quality but were pushed to the limit by their Championship opponents.

Blackburn will rely on all of their star players, including Yuki Ohashi, who has scored four goals this season, and Makhtar Gueye, who leads the team with six assists. Alongside their solid defensive unit and creative midfielders, these two will be pivotal in exploiting any gaps in the Wolves' setup. With Rovers fighting for a playoff spot in the Championship, this game is an opportunity to showcase their quality against a Premier League side. Wolves, meanwhile, will look to Matheus Cunha and Rayan Aït-Nouri to help them secure a win. Wolves’ inconsistency in the Premier League this season means they’ll need to bring their best to avoid an upset.

For Blackburn, this is more than just an FA Cup game, it’s a chance to prove they can compete at the Premier League level. For Wolves, advancing to the next round would provide a morale boost in what has been a challenging season, as well as a chance to pursue silverware. This match has all the ingredients for a classic FA Cup encounter: a Championship side with nothing to lose and a Premier League team that can’t afford to take them lightly. With Blackburn’s strong home support and Wolves' top-flight experience, expect a tightly contested match that will come down to thin margins.