Manchester United’s elimination in the Round of 16 of the 2024/2025 FA Cup has further increased Manchester City’s chances of winning the tournament. United’s journey came to an end after a dramatic penalty shootout loss to Fulham, with a final score of 3-4 following a 1-1 draw in normal time on Monday (March 3) early morning WIB. This result secured Fulham’s spot in the quarter-finals, where they will face Crystal Palace.
In contrast, Manchester City had a different fate. Pep Guardiola’s squad advanced to the quarter-finals after securing a 3-1 victory over underdog team Plymouth Argyle. This victory provided a much-needed boost for City, who have been struggling in the Premier League and were recently eliminated from the Champions League. Given the current competition landscape, this presents a golden opportunity for City to claim a trophy. On paper, City stands as the strongest contender for the FA Cup title, though Aston Villa remains a potential threat.
Aston Villa secured their quarter-final spot by defeating Cardiff City 2-0. With this win, Villa advanced to face Preston North End in the next round. Another potential obstacle for City is Nottingham Forest, but they must first get past Ipswich Town in their match on Tuesday (March 4) early morning. Nottingham is favored to win, considering their strong form. Currently, they sit third in the Premier League standings, while Ipswich languishes in 18th place.
Meanwhile, Manchester City holds the fourth position in the Premier League table with 47 points, just one point behind Nottingham Forest in third. The absence of several major teams in the FA Cup this season significantly benefits City. Their squad, loaded with star players, gives them a clear advantage in the race for the FA Cup title.
Eight Clubs in the FA Cup Quarter-Finals:
- Manchester City
- Aston Villa
- Fulham
- Bournemouth
- Brighton
- Crystal Palace
- Preston North End
- Ipswich Town/Nottingham Forest
FA Cup Quarter-Final Draw:
- Fulham vs. Crystal Palace
- Preston North End vs. Aston Villa
- Bournemouth vs. Manchester City
- Brighton vs. Ipswich Town/Nottingham Forest
With fewer elite clubs remaining in the competition, Manchester City finds itself in a prime position to claim the FA Cup. However, they must navigate through the remaining challenges to lift the coveted trophy.
