Leeds vs Norwich and more: FA Cup fifth round talking points | Football News
Resurgent Saints a tough assignment for Silva
Fulham vs Southampton, Sunday, kick-off 12pm
The Championship is bonkers this 12 months and Southampton reside proof. Saints had been twenty first on the desk when Tonda Eckert took over early in November following the sacking of Will Still, however a run of six wins in eight has seen them climb to 1 place exterior the play-off locations. See? Bonkers.
As for Marco Silva, this sport feels essential. He’s persistently spoken about desirous to steer Fulham to the ‘subsequent stage’ this season, with out actually detailing what the subsequent stage constitutes. Does it imply European qualification? Does he have designs on silverware?
If it is the latter, the FA Cup is your solely choice. Perhaps he even believes each of the above feats are doable concurrently. If so, stopping a Southampton facet that has scored 15 objectives of their final 5 video games in all competitions shall be key. Saints are literally unbeaten in 9, a run stretching again to January, and will little doubt fancy themselves an upset if Fulham cannot attain Silva’s much-desired stage.
Laura Hunter
Which Port Vale will turn up at Vale Park?
Port Vale vs Sunderland, Sunday, kick-off 1.30pm
Port Vale wants a giant efficiency to beat their Premier League opponents this weekend, and they’ve had really contrasting kind at Vale Park between league and cup.
Just 12 of their 27 League One points have been received at dwelling as they sit backside of the desk, with solely two wins – though a kind of did come in opposition to fellow fifth-round hopefuls, Mansfield.
But all 4 of their FA Cup wins this season have come at Vale Park and the final three have been by a 1-0 scoreline. This contains beating Championship facet Bristol City in further time on Tuesday night.
They go once more shortly as they host Regis Le Bris’ high-flying Sunderland, who shall be assured that they will tackle all-comers on this season’s FA Cup. They have additionally received each of their fixtures within the competitors on the street, and shall be seeking to keep away from an upset on Sunday.
Charlotte Marsh
Leeds’ difficult juggling act gives Norwich an opportunity
Leeds vs Norwich, Sunday, kick-off 4.30pm
Leeds have solely misplaced two of their final 15 conferences with Norwich, and each of these got here when Daniel Farke, who now occupies the house dugout at Elland Road, was accountable for Sunday’s guests.
Farke, in fact, nonetheless holds a particular place within the hearts of Canaries followers for the enjoyment of two promotion-winning campaigns between 2019-2021.
Philippe Clement is a person on his personal mission, although. Norwich had been relegation-bound earlier than the Belgian arrived, eager to show their credentials within the English leagues after taking a stab at Scotland and falling foul of Celtic’s unrelenting dominance. Overseeing Rangers’ first dwelling loss to St Mirren since 1991 in his remaining act in cost wasn’t precisely the spotlight of his tumultuous tenure at Ibrox.
A 12 months on, horizons seem a lot brighter. Clement’s type of soccer has been nicely obtained at Norwich and there may be substance to match, too, with eight victories of their final 10 league and cup outings. He shall be conscious that Leeds have already overwhelmed two Championship sides en path to the fifth round however hopeful his facet can catch Farke juggling priorities.
Leeds play Crystal Palace and Brentford of their subsequent two Premier League video games, needing points in each to stave off any menace of relegation discuss ramping up once more.
Laura Hunter
A big chance for Brentford?
West Ham vs Brentford, Monday, kick-off 7.30pm
As a lot as West Ham would love a cup run, Nuno Espirito Santo has greater considerations within the remaining three months of the season with the Hammers battling to remain within the Premier League.
An upturn in kind has made that a much more lifelike prospect than it appeared at first of 2026, however a possible three additional video games and the related distraction might be not what his facet wants proper now.
You may make a number of the similar points for Keith Andrews’ Brentford as they chase a first-ever season in Europe – however with out the identical strain and with per week’s relaxation earlier than they face Wolves stay on Monday Night Footballthere is no such thing as a cause for them to not go along with a powerful line-up.
Thomas Frank did a lot for the Bees however by no means made cup competitions a precedence, so the prospect to maneuver inside one sport of Wembley is a big draw for his or her supporters – and it needs to be for Andrews too.
Ron Walker
