The Women’s FA Cup fourth round continues on Saturday and Sunday, with the 15 remaining bands on their way 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 finished the score with his second and Chelsea’s fifth night.
Manchester City vs Aston VillaMan City are in fantastic form in the WSL | Chloe Knott – Danehouse / Getty Images
What time is running? 12.00 (BST)Where is it played? Academy StadiumTV channel / livestream: CITY +
The only match played on Saturday sees an all-WSL competition between Manchester City and Aston Villa at the Academy Stadium on the Etihad Campus.
If there is anything to join the league, City should win this comfortably, even if manager Gareth Taylor chooses to rotate his team ahead of next week’s potential WSL decision against Chelsea.
Prediction: Manchester City 2-0 Aston Villa
Birmingham vs Coventry United. Birmingham will have too much for Coventry United | Naomi Baker / Getty Images
What time is running? 12.30 (BST)Where is it played? Damson ParkTV channel / livestream: FA players
Despite the recent turmoil off the field in recent weeks, Birmingham are favorites against a Coventry United side that only stay out of relegation problems 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 & SelseyWest Ham could use FA Cup to build confidence Visionhaus / Getty Images
What time is running? 13.00 (BST)Where is it played? Chigwell Construction StadiumTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
West Ham climbed out of the WSL relegation zone with a much-needed victory in their last match and will be grateful for the chance to potentially build some confidence ahead of Aston Villa in a “sex pointer” next week with this favorable home cup.
Chichester & Selsey are among a handful of third level clubs left in the competition, all of whom are out of match training after league seasons during the championships were canceled last month.
Prediction: West Ham 5-0 Chichester & Selsey
Arsenal vs GillinghamArsenal women will have some problems against Gillingham | Catherine Ivill / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Meadow parkTV channel / livestream: Arsenal.com
If nothing else, third-tier Gillingham got a glamor tie when they were pulled out of the draw after Arsenal, who are back in their best form in the WSL after five wins in a row.
The Gunners are expected to rotate and rest players for this one before important league upcoming league matches when they shoot against Champions League qualifiers.
Prediction: Arsenal 6-0 Gillingham
Brighton vs Bristol CityBrighton has been taking some form of form in recent weeks | Mike Hewitt / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Peoples Pension StadiumTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
Bristol City have already been in a cup final this season when they met Chelsea in the Conti Cup final in March, but they will have to defy the odds to advance in this competition.
Brighton have been on the form team in the WSL in recent weeks and have climbed into the top half of the table from the back of a river of wins. Bristol is still fighting the threat of relocation.
Prediction: Brighton 1-0 Bristol City
Burnley vs Manchester UnitedMan Utd need some break from patch WSL form | Visionhaus / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? County GroundTV channel / livestream: MUTV
The FA Cup may come as an important break for Manchester United is a sticky note has seen them fall out of the WSL title race and on the back foot in the race for a Champions League place.
It is unlikely that there will be a full strength side against third-tier Burnley, although United’s players in France and rotation should have far too much quality.
Prediction: Burnley 0-5 Manchester United
Crystal Palace vs London BeesCrystal Palace vs London Bee is a match for all championships | Alex Davidson / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Hayes LaneTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
A London derby and the All-Women’s Championship collision see the London Bees make a short trip across the capital to meet Crystal Palace at their home in Bromley.
Palace have trampled water during the lower half of the championship, but bees are nailed to the foot of the table and look to be in third level next season.
Prediction: Crystal Palace 3-0 London bin
Everton vs DurhamEverton have had a good season in the WSL | Lewis Storey / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Walton Hall ParkTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
Durham has had a new season where they have pushed for promotion to the WSL without completely crossing the line. Of all the sides in the lower leagues that face an opponent from the top flight, they will have the most chance of causing outrage.
Everton have had a decent season themselves and should be fine as long as they focus.
Prediction: Everton 2-1 Durham
Leicester vs LiverpoolLeicester women have already secured promotion to the WSL | Matthew Lewis / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Farley Way StadiumTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
Winners of the Leicester Championship have already beaten Liverpool at home and away in the league this season on their way to securing promotion to the WSL.
It’s not obvious and Liverpool were actually the last championship team to score against Leicester when the fox won 2-1 at Merseyside in January.
Prediction: Leicester 2-1 Liverpool
Reading against Tottenham Reading against Tottenham can be a tough game | Visionhaus / Getty Images
What time is running? 14.00 (BST)Where is it played? Madejski StadiumTV channel / livestream: Unavailable
Reading will be disappointed with too many draws this season, while three defeats in their last four WSL matches have contributed to a decline in the bottom half of the table.
Only three points differ from Reading and Spurs in the WSL and both clubs will see this game as a great opportunity to win and build some momentum.
Prediction: Reads 1-0 Tottenham
All Ladies FA Cup fourth round matches
Chelsea 5-0 London City LionessesManchester City vs Aston VillaBirmingham vs Coventry UnitedWest Ham vs Chichester & SelseyArsenal vs GillinghamBrighton vs Bristol CityBurnley vs Manchester UnitedCrystal Palace vs London BeesEverton vs DurhamHuddersfield vs DerbyLeicester vs LiverpoolLewes vs SouthamptonMiddlesbrough
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