FA Cup fifth round predictions: Six things we think will happen | OneFootball

The 2024-25 FA Cup resumes this weekend with the fifth round.

Aston Villa kick-off this week’s action when they host Cardiff at Villa Park on Friday night; the Villans are enjoying their best run in the competition since their 4-0 defeat by Arsenal in the 2015 final.

Crystal Palace host Milwall in a bitter south London derby on Saturday afternoon, while Manchester City will look to avoid an upset in their clash with Plymouth Argyle in the evening.

There are four all-Premier League ties this weekend, including Bournemouth against Wolves on Saturday, Newcastle against Brighton and Manchester United versus Fulham a day later, and Nottingham Forest facing Ipswich to cap off the fifth round ties on Monday night.

We’ve taken a look at all eight matches from the fifth round, and picked out six things we think will happen.

The end of Man United’s FA Cup defence

Man United scraped through the third and fourth round of this year’s FA Cup with a penalty-shootout victory over Arsenal and a controversial late winner against Leicester resepectively. Unless Ruben Amorim’s side have fortune on their side again, their unimpressive recent form only points to a fifth round exit when they host Fulham at Old Trafford on Sunday.

The Red Devils are obviously not the force they once were but, perhaps most worringly, their record at the Theatre of Dreams has been dismal in 2024-25. Man United have lost seven home games in the Premier League this season, their joint-most ever in a campaign, having last suffered such a poor record in David Moyes’ only year at the club in 2013-14.

While Man United have beaten Fulham 1-0 on two occasions this season, their luck might just run out this time, and it could be third time’s the charm for Marco Silva’s men.

Man City to be tested by Argyle

Argyle earned an unprecedented win against the best team in the country in their last rendition in the FA Cup, beating Liverpool 1-0 in the fourth round – and their recent form suggests they will not simply roll over for Man City on Saturday.

Since Wayne Rooney’s dismal on New Year’s Eve, Argyle have lifted themselves from 24th to 22nd in the Championship table, and now have a real chance at survival. They have lost just three of their 13 games under Miron Muslic, and only one away from home.

With Man City enduring arguably their worst season under Pep Guardiola, the champions will have to bring their A-game if they are to avoid an upset in their only remaining bid to win silverware in 2024-25.

Rashford breaks his duck

Marcus Rashford looks a player reborn under Unai Emery, and has already captured the hearts of Villa fans with his performances since joining on loan from Man United last month.

In four Premier League games with his new club, Rashford has showcased his creative aptitude, which statistically rivals anyone in the division. The winger has created more big chances per 90 (2.01) than any other player in the Premier League since joining Villa, as well as completing the fourth-most take-ons per 90 in the league (4.02).

Rashford has logged two assists for the Villans but, despite his impressive form, is yet to score. If he is handed his second start under Emery against Cardiff on Friday, there is every chance he breaks his duck and earns a well-deserved goal.

Prediction: Marcus Rashford to score anytime vs Cardiff City (13/8 with BetMGM)

Mitoma to continue run

After a slow start to the campaign, Kaoru Mitoma has hit the best form of his career in 2025, and is on track to log his best goal-contributing season for Brighton.

In 2022-23, the Japanese international put up seven goals and five assists in the league, and is only two assists away from matching this tally with three months left of the season. He has scored five goals in his last eight games in all competitions and has started all but five of Brighton’s matches this season.

If recent fortunes are any indicator, the stars point to Mitoma being among the goals again on Sunday against Newcastle.

Ipswich to upset Forest

It takes a lot for a team to sustain themselves in a top-four race, and the early signs of wear and tear may be showing on Nottingham Forest, who are winless in four games.

Last month, they suffered a 5-0 defeat by Bournemouth and are now only two points clear of Chelsea in fifth. It’s not all doom and gloom for Nuno Espirito Santo’s men, though; they beat Brighton 7-0 at the start of the month and are still a formidable force.

Ipswich, meanwhile, have scored in their last six games. In their last matchup back in November, a penalty scored by Chris Wood edged a 1-0 victory for Forest – hardly a convincing win. With their unremarkable recent form, there is every chance that Forest could be upset by Ipswich on Monday.

Matheus Cunha to add to his account

Comfortably Wolves’ player of the season amid their struggle for Premier League survival, Matheus Cunha has found another gear in recent weeks after going goalless in January.

In fairness to the Brazilian, he missed a number of games last month through injury, but that’s an issue of the past. Cunha is at 100 per cent again, and his goalscoring record is ample evidence. The striker has scored four goals in Wolves’ last five games, including in their 2-0 win over Blackburn in the FA Cup fourth round.

If there were any fears Vitor Pereira may rotate his squad this weekend, it should be noted that Cunha is a bona fide starter for Wolves, having started all but two games for them this season. With a one-week break until their next game, Cunha is poised to start on Saturday and attempt to continue his bright form in front of goal.

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