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This week marks the fifth round of the FA Cup, and there has been a significant alteration to the competition’s regulations.
The previous custom of having replay matches for Cup ties in the third and fourth rounds remains in place. However, fifth-round replays were eliminated during the 2018-19 season as part of the gradual simplification of the tournament.
From the fifth round onwards, each round will be determined by a single tie, allowing for extra time and a penalty shootout to determine the winner in case of a draw.
The matter of FA Cup replays continues to be a source of controversy. For teams involved in European competitions in the latter part of the year, the crowded schedule can become overwhelming, especially since Carabao Cup semi-finals are still played across two midweek matches. Incorporating FA Cup replays can be quite difficult.
Due to the upcoming expansion of the Champions League, there will be an increase in fixtures, and Arsenal’s manager Mikel Arteta has supported the idea of eliminating all replays.
Arteta expressed his belief in January that replays should be discontinued. He also mentioned that the new Champions League format, which will result in more games, could make it difficult to incorporate replays. He stated that cancelling replays should be taken into consideration.
However, for smaller football clubs in the lower levels of the league hierarchy, FA Cup replays have a significant track record of generating essential income for their survival. In 2006, Burton Albion earned approximately £800,000 from a third-round replay against Manchester United at Old Trafford, an experience their chairman Ben Robinson likened to winning the lottery.
Until now, the Football Association has refused requests to eliminate replays altogether and continues to use them in the third and fourth rounds. These are the most common stages where a team from a lower league or non-league may be paired with a top Premier League team.
Luckily for Arteta, replays did not present any complications for Arsenal this year, as they were eliminated in the initial stage.
Complete rundown of FA Cup round five fixtures
Coventry City 5-0 Maidstone United
On Tuesday, February 27th at 7:30pm, Bournemouth will be playing against Leicester City.
The match between Blackburn Rovers and Newcastle United will take place on Tuesday, February 27 at 7:45pm.
The match between Luton Town and Manchester City will take place on Tuesday, February 27th at 8pm.
On Wednesday, February 28, Chelsea will face Leeds United at 7:30pm.
On Wednesday, February 28th at 7:45pm, Manchester United will play against Nottingham Forest.
The match between Wolves and Brighton will take place on Wednesday, February 28 at 7:45pm.
On Wednesday, February 28th at 8pm, Liverpool will face Southampton in a match.
Obtain the complete television program guide here.
When will the quarter-final draw for the FA Cup take place?
The lottery will occur on Wednesday at approximately 7pm GMT, 30 minutes prior to Chelsea’s match against Leeds on ITV4.
Source: independent.co.uk
