England’s FA Cup is the oldest football competition in the world and this season it has returned for the 138th time.The tournament involves teams from the 10th level of the English football pyramid to the top and will see a total of 736 teams take part.
With a rich history stretching back to the 19th century, there have been plenty of moments to savour through the years and clubs will be eager to dabble in the ‘Magic of the Cup’.
Chelsea are the reigning champions, while Arsenal are the most successful club in the history of the competition – though the Gunners were knocked out during the fourth round in a 3-1 defeat to Premier League rivals Manchester United.
The draw for the FA Cup quarter-finals will take place live on BBC One following Monday’s fifth-round tie between Chelsea and Manchester United who are expected to clash today in the last match of the FA qualification.
It will be held at around 10pm it will follow Chelsea’s match against Manchester United, which kicks off at 7.30pm and could go to extra time and penalties.
Championship outfit Millwall, the lowest-ranked team left in the tournament, beat AFC Wimbledon to reach the quarter-finals for the second time in three years.
Crystal Palace proved too strong for League One Doncaster Rovers on Sunday, winning 2-0 at Keepmoat Stadium.
Newport County’s memorable cup run was ended by Manchester City on Saturday.The ties will be played from 15-18 March, with winning clubs receiving £720,000 in prize money.
Monday’s draw will be made by former Manchester United star Darren Fletcher, part of the United side that won the competition in 2004, and ex Blues and Manchester City’s defender Wayne Bridge, who lifted the trophy with Chelsea in 2007.
The teams that have already qualified are Wolverhampton wanderers, Millwall, who are the underdogs so far,Crystal Palace,Manchester City who over the weekend humiliated Newport 4 goals to 1,Watford, Brighton & Hoven Albion as well as Chelsea and Manchester United and Swansea City and Brentford who are expected to clash later today.