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Reading will host Premier League side Sheffield United in the fifth round of the FA Cup, if they overcome Cardiff City next Tuesday.
The last meeting between the Royals and the Blades came in February 2019, where the Blue and White Hoops suffered a 4-0 drubbing at Bramall Lane. Let’s hope Reading can be more competitive against United if we do get to the next stage.
The Royals haven’t reached the fifth round of the cup since 2016. A 3-1 home win against West Bromwich Albion fired the Royals to the quarter finals that year, although the Berkshire side will need to overcome Welsh side Cardiff City first before they can dream of a place in the last eight of the competition.
There will be no replays from the fifth round stage this year, with the aim of helping clubs with heavy fixture congestion going in to the business end of the season. Fans across the country will also notice one more difference.
Traditionally, FA Cup ties (excluding replays) are usually played at the weekend. However, fifth-round ties will be played in midweek commencing on the week starting Monday 2nd March. Is it just me that thinks having no FA Cup fixtures in February is a little weird? This is largely due to the winter break that Premier League sides will enjoy, taking place next month.
The Royals face Cardiff City next Tuesday in the fourth round replay in Wales, where a winner will need to be decided after last weekend’s deadlock at the Madejski Stadium. Kick-off is 7:45pm.
When was the last time we beat Cardiff City away in the FA Cup? 2015. What stage of the cup did we reach that year? The semi-finals. Surely we wont get to the last four again this year…. will we?
All FA Cup fifth round fixtures:
Sheffield Wednesday vs Manchester City
Reading/Cardiff City vs Sheffield United
Chelsea vs Shrewsbury Town/Liverpool
West Bromwich Albion vs Newcastle/Oxford United
Leicester City vs Coventry City/Birmingham City
Northampton Town/Derby County vs Manchester United
Southampton/Tottenham Hotspur vs Norwich City
Portsmouth vs Bournemouth/Arsenal