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5 talking points ahead of the FA Cup quarter-finals

The semi-finals at Wembley are in sight.

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The FA Cup quarter-finals take place this weekend, with the eight remaining teams eyeing a place at Wembley.

Here, Press Association Sport looks at five talking points ahead of the four ties.

Continuing the quadruple assault

Manchester City have already won the Carabao Cup this season
Manchester City have already won the Carabao Cup this season (Nigel French/PA)

Championship challengers

Swansea and Millwall are flying the flag for the EFL in this year’s competition as the two Championship sides eye a semi-final berth. Swansea, then a Premier League side, got to this stage last season before losing to Tottenham and their task is not any easier this year as they host Manchester City, so not too many people will be backing them to reach a first semi-final since 1964. Millwall, in a relegation battle, were in the last four as recently as 2013 and they have saved their best form for the FA Cup this year, memorably beating Everton in the earlier rounds. Their home clash with Brighton looks entirely winnable, so the 2004 finalists will fancy their chances of heading back to Wembley.

Ending a semi-final drought

Can Ole’s magic run continue?

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won the FA Cup twice as a United player
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer won the FA Cup twice as a United player (Martin Rickett/PA)

Can Watford get revenge?

Watford’s clash with Crystal Palace is a repeat of the semi-final three years ago, which Palace won before going on to lose the final against Manchester United. Palace triumphed 2-1 on that day at Wembley, but the Hornets’ superior league form – they won both games this season – and home advantage might make them favourites in just their fourth quarter-final in 31 years.

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