1
History awaits us at Wembley
For seven of the eight clubs left at the tournament, this year's FA Cup represents a historic opportunity. Four of the quarter finalists – Fulham, Crystal Palace, Bournemouth and Brighton never won the Cup, but Nottingham Forest (1959), Aston Villa (1957) and Preston (1938) last lifted the trophy before the advent of color television. With international break-ends and mid-week league fixtures coming to all teams, there's a temptation to spin the starters and rest your tired feet. Still, Wembley's paranoid scene should be in the minds of every manager when Newcastle ends the trophy drought in the Carabao Cup final. The tentative favourite, Manchester City, is usually the most open race the FA Cup has delivered for years, with prizes being the norm. NMC
2
Return to the Palace boost and mateta
It's been almost a month since Liam Roberts' horrible head-high tackle at Jean-Philippe Mateta asked Crystal Palace striker for 25 stitches for a left ear injury. France International wears protective masks while the healing process continues, but after returning to training, he is ready to play. Many feared the worst when lying on the pitch at Selhurst Park during a long treatment, but he recovered quickly. Palace supporters are desperate to see him for their chance to become their fifth FA Cup semi-final since 1990. It's also a great boost for teammates and fans to see the talisman Mateta return. Woo
3
Step up in the absence of wood
There's nothing like a 48-hour round-trip trip to prepare players for one of the biggest games of his career. Chris Wood went to Wellington and plundered a hat-trick against Fiji, the world's best team in New Zealand, before winning a 3-0 victory over New Caledonia, but was later replaced as all the whites were injured as they secured World Cup qualifiers. Covering more than 100,000 miles a year to keep up with his international commitment, Wood is not available for Nottingham Forest's quarter-final trip to Brighton. His absence gives Taiwan Awoniyi an opportunity from the start. Before Wood's revival, the Nigerians were an integral part of the Wood's success, but injuries and a few minutes of shortages curtailed his development. He still has the ability to terrorize defense, making a difference and could be the one who takes his side to Wembley. Woo
4
Kessler Hayden misses a historic day
Aston Villa was very much concerned with Kane Kessler Hayden last summer for Preston for the fifth loan spell of his career. The 22-year-old has only appeared in his parent club five times, so there are requirements for him to gain experience in the championship. It seems very unfair that he is not entitled to play against Villa on Sunday. Certainly, Unai Emery is not afraid that his third choice right-back will be better than what he currently has for his team, and wants to see what he can do to prove he has a long-term future at Villa Park. Certainly, it would put Kessler Hayden in a troublesome position, but he would definitely prefer the chance to get to the top of the game. The FA Cup quarterfinals are not regular or guaranteed occurrences in anyone's playing career. Woo
5
Ederson leads the city's rescue mission
Ederson missed Manchester City's final match before an international break with Brighton due to an abdominal injury, forcing him to withdraw from the Brazilian team. It is likely that this will be a summer change in Manchester City, and the goalkeeper's future looks uncertain and he could be sold for a new acquisition. Having won six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and Champions League against City, he has nothing to prove, but after a season of unparalleled success is important to his legacy. The FA Cup is the only silverware left at City's table before heading to the Club World Cup. Fit Ederson almost certainly will replace Stefan Ortega with the Vitality Stadium. Pep Guardiola hopes his goalkeeper will set the tone for the rest of the team who will have to overcome Bournemouth, go to Wembley and save something from the unfortunate season. Woo
6
Technological issues threaten cup drama
Whatever the outcome of the four bonds over the weekend, we hope that video technology isn't one of the main story points that comes on Monday morning. The desperate five-round drama was interrupted by an eight-minute record var delay with Bournemouth tie and wolves. Despite having worked hardly in the Champions League and major international tournaments, it appears that Saot was sucked into the Twilight Zone at Stockley Park during the trial phase in English soil. As it was already restrained by the Premier League, plans to showcase the sort in the next round of the top flight game have been postponed, but the experiment continues with three of the quarter final of the four cups. Second tier Deepdale's home in Preston is not equipped with technology and adds a layer of unwelcome inequality, but at least reduces the chances of that particular game being finished on time. NMC
