FA Cup Fifth Round is Drawn: The Biggest Clashes to Look Forward Too

Five of the Biggest Clashes to Take Place in the FA Cup Fifth Round

There is nothing quite like the FA Cup, the world's oldest cup competition if famous across the globe, and continues to be one of the best domestic tournaments on the planet.

This year's edition has already seen one of the greatest upsets of modern times, as 6th tier Macclesfield knocked out defending champions Crystal Palace in the 3rd round.

With the draw for the 5th round of the competition decided, here is our pick for the five ties that you need to look out for

5: Leeds United vs Norwich City

Two sides in solid form, Leeds vs Norwich at Elland Road looks set to have all the makings of a proper FA Cup tie.

Norwich will come into the game as an underdog, as they face a Premier League side away from home as a Championship team, but are the stronger side in form.

Philippe Clement has had a major impact on the Canaries, who were firmly in the relegation zone at the time of the Belgian's appointment. Norwich have won four of their last five league matches, and have climbed up to 17th in the table.

Philippe Clement's Yellows 🙌 pic.twitter.com/jJ8F9A7CJq

— Norwich City FC (@NorwichCityFC) November 29, 2025

Leeds meanwhile have enjoyed a fine winter period in the Premier League, with Daniel Farke battling off pressure against him by helping lift Leeds up to 15th, six points off the bottom three.

Both sides will fancy themselves of getting a result, which promises an entertaining tie.

4: Mansfield Town vs Arsenal

The team top of the Premier League league one Mansfield as Mikel Arteta's Arsenal look to continue to be in the fight in all four competitions.

Cool as you like 😎 pic.twitter.com/7wuTCreRZp

— Arsenal (@Arsenal) February 16, 2026

Mansfield find themselves in 14th in League One, firmly in the mid-table battle. However, the side is finding wins hard to come by, with their last league victory coming on 17th January, however they have drawn their last four matches, so have been hard to beat.

Arsenal meanwhile will be looking to reach the quarter-finals of the competition for the first time since Mikel Arteta's first season, where they won the trophy.

Arsenal will of course be heavy favourites to progress, but could find travelling away to Mansfield tricky as the home crowd look to get behind their team, making for a potentially exciting cup tie.

3: Port Vale/Bristol City vs Sunderland

A tie that is actually yet to be fully decided, due to Port Vale having to reschedule their fourth round match vs Bristol City at Vale Park.

However, whoever progresses to face Sunderland, the tie promises to be a great one.

A successful day at the office ✅

Go On The Road for our FA Cup win at the Kassam Stadium 🍿⤵️

— Sunderland AFC (@SunderlandAFC) February 16, 2026

Sunderland have enjoyed an excellent first season back in the top flight under Regis Le Bris, and with no fears of relegation already, the Black Cats can afford to try and go for a genunine cup run.

Bristol City will expect to defeat Port Vale, who are continuing to struggle down near the bottom of League One, and will fancy their chances of causing an upset against Premier League opposition.

2: Wrexham vs Chelsea

A tie fit for Hollywood, Chelsea's visit to Northern Wales looks to be one of the headline clashes of the fifth round.

Liam Rosenior has started well at Stamford Bridge since replacing Enzo Maresca in January, however standing in their way of a place in the fifth round of the FA Cup is a Wrexham side continuing to push up the English football pyramid.

Watch our victory against Hull City from start to finish! 🔗👇

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) February 15, 2026

The ownership of Hollywood stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McelHenney, and the management of Phil Parkinson has seen Wrexham go from the 5th tier to the Championship in record speed. And they don't look like stopping there, as they currently sit in 7th in the second tier, level on points with 6th place Derby County who currently occupy the last spot in the playoffs.

Another angle of Josh’s Fourth Round winner 🙌

🔴⚪️ #WxmAFC pic.twitter.com/hur4DsXnGu

— Wrexham AFC (@Wrexham_AFC) February 15, 2026

A match where both sides will give their all in front of a raucous crowd, this is one not to miss.

1: Newcastle United vs Manchester City

An all Premier League affair, and one that was the headline matchup from the fifth round draw.

Newcastle would have hoped for a stronger Premier League campagn than the one they are curretnly enduring. With the loss of Alexander Isak, demands of UEFA Champions League football and struggles away from home all culminating on pressure on Eddie Howe.

With that, the FA Cup represents by far their best opportunity of any chance of success this season, with St James Park promising to be rocking as Manchester City return to town.

Pep Guardiola's side knocked the Magpies out of the Carabao Cup, and will be looking to do the same in the FA Cup fifth Round to once again reach the quarter finals as they search for yet another trophy.