The FA Cup 1/8 final stage matches are being played.
Idman.Biz reports that the stage started with "Liverpool" defeating "Wolverhampton" 3:1 away and becoming the first to advance to the 1/4 finals. The remaining seven matches will be held on March 7-9.
The most notable match of Saturday will be between "Newcastle" and "Manchester City". This match is considered both a duel between Premier League representatives and a possible revenge, as the "Citizens" eliminated their opponent from the competition in the semi-finals of the English League Cup with 2:0 and 3:1 victories in the near future. Moreover, these teams will face each other for the 11th time in history in the FA Cup.
Another interesting match will be between "Wrexham" and "Chelsea". The Welsh club has reached this stage for the first time since the 1996/97 season, and in recent years, after being acquired by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, it has become one of the most discussed projects in English football. "Chelsea", on the other hand, defeated "Hull City" 4:0 in the previous stage, and Pedru Netu scored a hat-trick in that match.
There are also outsiders expecting surprises in this stage. "Mansfield Town", playing in League One, will host "Arsenal", and the club has reached this stage for the first time since the 1974/75 season. "Port Vale", on the other hand, qualified for the 1/8 finals for the first time since the 1995/96 season and will face "Sunderland".
FA Cup, 1/8 final matches:
March 6
"Wolverhampton" – "Liverpool" 1:3
March 7
"Mansfield Town" – "Arsenal"
"Wrexham" – "Chelsea"
"Newcastle" – "Manchester City"
March 8
"Fulham" – "Southampton"
"Port Vale" – "Sunderland"
"Leeds United" – "Norwich City"
March 9
"West Ham" – "Brentford"