Women's FA Cup fourth round: Preview & predictions

17 April 2021 13:50

The Women’s FA Cup fourth round continues on Saturday and Sunday, with the 15 remaining ties on the road to Wembley taking place after Chelsea started the round with a crushing 5-0 win over London City Lionesses on Friday night.

Reigning WSL champions and current leaders Chelsea led 3-0 at half-time thanks to goals from Niamh Charles, Jess Carter and Melanie Leupolz. Drew Spence made it 4-0 after the break, before Charles completed the scoring with her second and Chelsea’s fifth of the night.


Saturday 17 April

Manchester City vs Aston Villa

Man City are in stunning form in the WSL | Chloe Knott - Danehouse/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 12.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Academy Stadium
TV channel/live stream: CITY+

The only tie being played on Saturday sees an all-WSL contest between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Academy Stadium on the Etihad Campus.

If league form is anything to go by, City should win this one comfortably, even if manager Gareth Taylor opts to rotate his team ahead of next week’s potential WSL title decider against Chelsea.

Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa


Sunday 18 April

Birmingham vs Coventry United

Birmingham will have too much for Coventry United | Naomi Baker/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 12.30 (BST)
Where is it being played? Damson Park
TV channel/live stream: FA Player

Despite the recent off-field turmoil of recent weeks, Birmingham are favourites against a Coventry United side only just staying out of relegation trouble in the Women’s Championship.

Anything other than a win for the WSL team at home would be a shock.

Prediction: Birmingham 4-0 Coventry United


West Ham vs Chichester & Selsey

West Ham could use the FA Cup to build some confidence | Visionhaus/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 13.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Chigwell Construction Stadium
TV channel/live stream: Not available

West Ham climbed out of the WSL relegation zone with a much needed win in their last game and will be grateful of the chance to potentially build some confidence ahead of facing Aston Villa in a ‘six pointer’ next week with this favourable home cup tie.

Chichester & Selsey are among a handful of third tier clubs left in the competition, all of whom are out of match practice after leagues seasons below the Championships were cancelled last month.

Prediction: West Ham 5-0 Chichester & Selsey


Arsenal vs Gillingham

Arsenal women will have little trouble against Gillingham | Catherine Ivill/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Meadow Park
TV channel/live stream: Arsenal.com

If nothing else, third tier Gillingham earned a glamour tie when they were pulled out of the draw pot after Arsenal, who are back to their best form in the WSL after five consecutive wins.

The Gunners would be expected to rotate and rest players for this one ahead of important league upcoming league matches as they push towards Champions League qualification.

Prediction: Arsenal 6-0 Gillingham


Brighton vs Bristol City

Brighton have hit a run of form in recent weeks | Mike Hewitt/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Peoples Pension Stadium
TV channel/live stream: Not available

Bristol City have already been to one cup final this season when they faced Chelsea in the Conti Cup final in March, but they will have to defy the odds to progress in this competition.

Brighton have been on the form teams in the WSL over recent weeks, surging into the top half of the table off the back of a flurry of wins. Bristol are still battling against the threat of relegation.

Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Bristol City


Burnley vs Manchester United

Man Utd need some respite from patch WSL form | Visionhaus/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? County Ground
TV channel/live stream: MUTV

The FA Cup perhaps comes as important respite for Manchester United are a sticky patch has seen them fall out of the WSL title race and onto the backfoot in the race for a Champions League place.

It is unlikely to be a full strength side against third tier Burnley, although even United’s fringe and rotation players should have far too much quality.

Prediction: Burnley 0-5 Manchester United


Crystal Palace vs London Bees

Crystal Palace vs London Bee is an all-Championship tie | Alex Davidson/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Hayes Lane
TV channel/live stream: Not available

A London derby and all-Women’s Championship clash see London Bees make the short trip across the capital to face Crystal Palace at their home in Bromley.

Palace have been treading water in the bottom half of the Championship, but the Bees are nailed to foot of the table and look destined to be in the third tier next season.

Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-0 London Bees


Everton vs Durham

Everton have had a good season in the WSL | Lewis Storey/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Walton Hall Park
TV channel/live stream: Not available

Durham have had another season in which they have pushed for promotion to the WSL without quite getting over the line. Of all the lower league sides facing an opponent from the top flight, they will most fancy their chances of causing an upset.

Everton have had a decent season themselves and should be fine as long as they focus.

Prediction: Everton 2-1 Durham


Leicester vs Liverpool

Leicester women have already secured promotion to the WSL | Matthew Lewis/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Farley Way Stadium
TV channel/live stream: Not available

Women’s Championship winners Leicester have already beaten Liverpool home and away in the league this season en-route to securing promotion to the WSL.

It isn’t a foregone conclusion and Liverpool were actually the last Championship team to score against Leicester when the Foxes won 2-1 on Merseyside in January.

Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Liverpool


Reading vs Tottenham

Reading vs Tottenham could be a tight game | Visionhaus/Getty Images

What time is kick off? 14.00 (BST)
Where is it being played? Madejski Stadium
TV channel/live stream: Not available

Reading will be disappointed with too many draws this season, while three defeats in their last four WSL games has contributed to a slump into the bottom half of the table.

Only three points separate Reading and Spurs in the WSL and both clubs will see this game as a big opportunity to get a win and build some momentum.

Prediction: Reading 1-0 Tottenham


All Women’s FA Cup fourth round fixtures

Chelsea 5-0 London City Lionesses
Manchester City vs Aston Villa
Birmingham vs Coventry United
West Ham vs Chichester & Selsey
Arsenal vs Gillingham
Brighton vs Bristol City
Burnley vs Manchester United
Crystal Palace vs London Bees
Everton vs Durham
Huddersfield vs Derby
Leicester vs Liverpool
Lewes vs Southampton
Middlesbrough vs Sheffield United
Oxford vs Charlton
Reading vs Tottenham
Wolves vs Blackburn


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Source: 90min