FA Cup 4th Round: Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic, Man City vs Salford, Liverpool vs Brighton

The FA Cup 4th Round Proper is set to bring some iconic teams like Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool. Teams from the Premier League, Championship, League One, and League Two are appearing.

As the teams are stepping in for the Fourth Round Proper, the FA Cup game is entering its final stages. So, the drama and the storylines are expected to be game-changing.

Legends like Manchester City, Chelsea, Aston Villa, and Arsenal are taking place. These Premier League clubs are the driving force here, as they survive elimination with dominant wins each time. But unpredictability remains a concern, as underdogs could launch a surprise attack at any time.

Here, we have provided a complete preview of the upcoming FA Cup, including highlights of previous games and predictions.

FA Cup Preview of 4th Round Proper

Hull City vs Chelsea

Hull City and Chelsea are facing each other in the next FA Cup 4th Round Proper on 13 February 2026. The timing is at 02:45 p.m. ET.

Preview

Hull City comes in fourth place in the Championship League. They also have a respectable record in the Championship League and are in solid championship contention. But their current opposition from the Premier League is threatening, with a strong winning record. Hull City’s defense is average, but it is not elite enough to face Chelsea’s fast-paced attacking force.

On the other hand, Chelsea is a Premier League team and has more depth than Hull City. Facing a lower-tier team on the road, Chelsea might have some minor setbacks. Yet they have an absolute upper hand, as they offer better quality and greater exposure. Chelsea’s recent games have shown no signs of decline or inconsistency. They also concede rarely, which makes them a good defense. Against a strong club like Chelsea, Hull City may have a tough time. Therefore, Chelsea has the winning edge.

Manchester City vs Salford City

Manchester City is scheduled to face Salford City on 14 February 2026. This FA Cup game begins at 10:00 a.m. ET.

Preview

Manchester City gets a home advantage in their next game against Salford City. Their last meeting was a win for Manchester City as they took down Salford City. Therefore, the likelihood of Salford City outscoring Manchester City is very low. Manchester City has elite stats, averaging 3.1 goals per game. They also concede very economically, which makes them one of the best defenses in England. They also tend to score clean-sheet victories, having recorded four clean sheets lately.

If we look at Salford City, they are not a team that scores back-to-back goals. They find chances rarely, but they never fail to execute them. But still, their scoring ability falls below average. Their defense is particularly weak, which Manchester City could exploit. Compared to Manchester City, Salford City has been inconsistent. Hence, Manchester City is expected to win in this FA Cup clash.

Aston Villa vs Newcastle

Aston Villa sets out to clash with Newcastle on 14 February 2026. This FA Cup 4th Round Proper will begin at 12:45 p.m. ET.

Preview

In the previous clash, Aston Villa had successfully beaten Newcastle with a solid score ratio. But their form has slightly declined over their recent games. They have been delivering an average outcome these days. They also concede slightly higher than they used to. But compared to Newcastle, Aston Villa’s current form is much better. They also get to play at home, which they will use to their advantage. Additionally, they have four clean sheets lately, which is a positive sign.

Newcastle, on the other hand, scored around 17 goals in their last 10 games. But their defense is so fragile that it has conceded nearly two-thirds of their scores. However, they managed to pull off two clean sheets, which is notable. Their H2H stats suggest that Aston Villa is more likely to win against Newcastle. Moreover, Newcastle suffers from inconsistent outcomes, which ensures Aston Villa’s winning probability.

Liverpool vs Brighton

Brighton seeks to beat Liverpool in the fierce FA Cup battle on 14 February 2026. The game will start at 03:00 p.m. ET.

Preview

Brighton has already beaten Liverpool in a previous game. They are looking for a crucial win to enter the FA Cup fourth round. Brighton brings a decent amount of scoring stats from their last 10 games. They also have a respectable defensive side that rarely concedes. But playing on the road against Liverpool, they might struggle to contain them. Brighton had no wins in their last five games, making their game against Liverpool questionable.

Liverpool gets home advantage in their upcoming FA Cup game on Saturday against Brighton. With players like Mohamed Salah, Liverpool has an above-average scoring ability. Their current form is somewhat questionable, but still, their ability to pull off wonders remains intact. With an average of 2.4 goals per game in their last 10 games, Liverpool has the edge in this game.

Arsenal vs Wigan Athletic

Arsenal and Wigan Athletic will be facing each other in the next FA Cup clash on 15 February 2026. This fixture will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET.

Preview

Arsenal currently has one of the best forms in the entire European league. They lead both the Premier League and the UCL, which gives them a clear advantage. Their winning ratio is surprisingly high, and they have a technically gifted squad. Players like Bukayo Saka are key drivers for the team. Their offensive output makes the team’s scoring performance elite. Facing a lower-tier team, Arsenal has more confidence to beat them.

Wigan Athletic is significantly lagging behind in the Football League One. They rank 22nd, which apparently shows their poor form. With only seven wins from 30 games, Wigan Athletic’s record is underwhelming and reflects their inability to face elite squads. They also have a poor defense, which yielded them a -11 goal differential. As a result, Arsenal might exploit Wigan Athletic’s weak defense using their rapid attacking force. Hence, Arsenal is predicted to win in this FA Cup game.