Last Shot at Silverware for Man City as Underdogs Aim to Create FA Cup History

Manchester City will take on Bournemouth in the FA Cup quarter-finals, determined to maintain their slim hopes of securing silverware in what has been a challenging season.

City are the final representatives of the Premier League giants still in contention, as Nottingham Forest, Fulham, and Brighton lead a FA Cup campaign marked by underdog successes.

AFP Sport examines the pivotal narratives leading up to the weekend’s matches:

Bournemouth poses a threat to struggling Man City

Facing the prospect of their first season without a major trophy since 2016/17, Manchester City are set to visit Bournemouth with caution, after suffering a defeat at the Vitality Stadium earlier this season.

In November, Pep Guardiola’s squad fell 2-1 to Bournemouth in league play, marking the first occasion they have ever lost to the Cherries.

This unexpected defeat heralded a dramatic downturn for City, who managed to secure just one victory from their following 11 matches across all competitions.

After clinching six English titles in the last seven seasons, City currently sits fifth in the Premier League, now fighting merely to qualify for next season’s Champions League and hoping to avert a season without silverware, reminiscent of Guardiola’s inaugural year at the Etihad Stadium.

Recent setbacks, including a loss to Nottingham Forest and a draw against Brighton, highlight that Guardiola has yet to address the myriad challenges besetting City this term.

A further disheartening result at Bournemouth – who have yet to reach the FA Cup semi-finals – would add to the list of disappointments in what has been a brutal season for Guardiola.

Fulham aim to break FA Cup hoodoo

Fulham will host Crystal Palace on Saturday, with an eye on history as the Cottagers strive to end a 50-year drought in the FA Cup.

The west London side hasn’t reached the FA Cup final in five decades—their sole appearance in the final saw them defeated by West Ham—and their last semi-final appearance was back in 2002.

Marco Silva’s team triumphed over holders Manchester United in a penalty shoot-out during the fifth round, yet they suffered a 2-0 defeat to Palace at home in the league this February.

That league victory is part of a strong away spell for Palace, who have recorded five consecutive wins on the road and kept six clean sheets.

Palace, yet to claim the FA Cup title, might see the return of Jean-Philippe Mateta, as the French forward trained this week following a brutal foul from Millwall’s keeper Liam Roberts that required 25 stitches around his ear.

Will Forest succumb to Wood’s absence?

Nottingham Forest will be without key striker Chris Wood as they pursue yet another landmark moment in their remarkable season.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side has surged to third in the Premier League, putting them in striking distance of qualifying for the Champions League for the first time since the 1980/81 season.

Leading Forest to their first FA Cup semi-final since 1991—when they suffered a final loss to Tottenham—would further bolster Nuno’s chances of being named manager of the year.

However, Forest will have to navigate this challenge without their top scorer Wood, who is sidelined due to a hip injury picked up during international duty with New Zealand.

“He will not be available for this game. He felt a significant impact on his hip, and there’s pain there,” Nuno confirmed.

Preston look to upset Villa

Currently sitting 14th in the Championship, Preston welcomes Aston Villa as the last non-Premier League team in this year’s FA Cup.

Preston has clinched the FA Cup twice, in 1889 and 1938, but hasn’t reached the semi-finals since 1964 and has not competed in the top flight since 1961.

Paul Heckingbottom’s team is up against a Villa squad aiming for their first semi-final appearance in a decade.

Having reached the Champions League quarter-finals, Villa last lifted the FA Cup in 1957, with their most recent final ending in defeat to Arsenal in 2015.