FA Cup Fifth Round Draw: All You Need to Know as the Road to Wembley Continues
The magic of the FA Cup is set to continue as the draw for the prestigious fifth round is upon us. Following a thrilling set of fourth-round ties, 16 teams will discover their fate, with the dream of lifting the coveted trophy at Wembley Stadium burning brighter than ever. For Chelsea, who secured their place with a dominant 4-0 victory over Hull City thanks to a Pedro Neto hat-trick and an Estevao strike, the anticipation is palpable.
When and Where is the FA Cup Fifth Round Draw?
The highly anticipated FA Cup fifth round draw will take place on Monday evening, February 16th. The ceremony is scheduled to commence at approximately 6:35 PM UK time. The draw will be held at Moss Rose, ahead of the final fourth-round tie between Macclesfield and Brentford, ensuring all potential fifth-round participants are known before the balls are pulled.
How to Watch the FA Cup Fifth Round Draw Live
Supporters across the United Kingdom will have ample opportunity to follow the draw live. The proceedings will be broadcast on TNT Sports 1 and available to stream on Discovery+. For those who prefer to watch on the go or on a different platform, the draw will also be streamed live on the TNT Sports YouTube channel. The broadcast will be presented by familiar faces in the footballing world, Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist. Adding a touch of insider knowledge, former Chelsea stars Joe Cole and Karen Carney will have the honour of pulling out the ball numbers, determining the fate of the remaining clubs.
Understanding the FA Cup Fifth Round Draw Mechanics
The fifth round of the FA Cup will feature the 16 teams that have successfully navigated their fourth-round encounters. While most ties will have concluded by the time the draw takes place, the fixture between Macclesfield and Brentford will be played later in the evening, meaning their ball number will be drawn, but their opponent will only be confirmed after their match. Each of the 16 teams will be assigned a unique ball number, and the draw will proceed to pair them up for the next stage of the competition.
Chelsea's Ball Number and All the Draw Numbers
Chelsea, the eight-time FA Cup winners, will be represented by ball number 7 in the draw. This places them among a host of potential opponents, ranging from Premier League giants to resilient lower-league sides. Here is the full list of ball numbers for the FA Cup fifth round draw:
- 1. Liverpool or Brighton & Hove Albion
- 2. Stoke City or Fulham
- 3. Oxford United or Sunderland
- 4. Southampton or Leicester City
- 5. Wrexham
- 6. Arsenal or Wigan Athletic
- 7. Chelsea
- 8. Burton Albion or West Ham United
- 9. Burnley or Mansfield Town
- 10. Norwich City or West Bromwich Albion
- 11. Port Vale or Bristol City
- 12. Grimsby Town or Wolverhampton Wanderers
- 13. Aston Villa or Newcastle United
- 14. Manchester City or Salford City
- 15. Macclesfield or Brentford
- 16. Birmingham City or Leeds United
When Will the FA Cup Fifth Round Fixtures Be Played?
Following the excitement of the draw, the FA Cup fifth round fixtures have been scheduled to take place across the weekend of Saturday, March 7th and Sunday, March 8th. This means that teams will have a short but crucial period to prepare for their next challenge in the pursuit of FA Cup glory. The exact kick-off times and broadcast details for these matches will be announced in due course.
The FA Cup continues to be a focal point of the English football calendar, offering drama, upsets, and the chance for clubs to etch their names into history. As the fifth round draw unfolds, fans will be eagerly awaiting the matchups that will define the next chapter of this iconic competition, with Chelsea firmly in the hunt for a record-extending ninth title.
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