The top Premier League sides still in the FA Cup have learned the chances that they will face each other in the next round ahead of the official draw.
Following a midweek round of Premier League fixtures, several of England's top-flight teams were in action in the FA Cup fifth round over the weekend.
Liverpool were the first team to book their place in the quarter-finals as they avenged their loss to Wolves earlier in the week with a 3-1 win at Molineux.
In the following days Arsenal, Manchester City and Chelsea were among the other teams to make it into the next round, following wins over Mansfield Town, Newcastle United and Wrexham respectively.
Advert
With the Premier League season heating up, each of the top clubs will be hoping that they won't meet each other in a FA Cup quarter-final, but it has now been revealed that it is highly likely that we'll have a big FA Cup clash.
For Arsenal or Manchester City, a tough FA Cup draw could impact their battle for the Premier League title, while Liverpool or Chelsea's hopes of securing Champions League qualification could be hindered.
However, each of the teams may have to prepare for the fact that this is very possible, as there is a 77% chance at least one of the favourites is drawn against another favourite.
With just a 23% chance that the big four teams left in the FA Cup avoid each other, fans will be eager to see which of the favourites are pitted against each other in the next round.
Inside that 23% chance there is a 21% chance that, if all four teams avoid each other in the draw, at least one of them gets a home tie, with just a 1.5% chance they all get home ties.
In a nightmare draw, there is an 8.6% chance that all four of the favourites are paired together.
When is the FA Cup quarter-final draw and how to watch it?
Ahead of West Ham United's clash with Brentford at the London Stadium, the FA Cup quarter-final draw will be held from approximately 7.05pm GMT, during the tie’s pre-match coverage.
The draw will be available for fans to watch on TNT Sports 1, discovery+ and the TNT Sports YouTube channel.
Darren Fletcher and Ally McCoist will present the draw, with England and Manchester City legend Joe Hart carrying out the draw itself.
The Emirates FA Cup quarter-finals will be played around the weekend of Saturday 4 April.
Ball Numbers:
1. Southampton
2. Port Vale
3. Manchester City
4. Leeds United
5. Arsenal
6. Liverpool
7. Chelsea
8. West Ham United or Brentford
Topics: FA Cup, Football, Premier League, Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea
Ben McCrum