FA Cup fifth round: Predictions and tips for televised games, including Wrexham vs Chelsea

Arsenal, Manchester City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Wrexham are all in action this weekend as the FA Cup takes centre stage once again.

With a place in the quarter-finals at stake, the pressure is mounting across the country.

Here, Sport Just Sport writer Alex Rhodes takes a look at some of the televised games in the fifth round, providing predictions and suggested bets.

Wolverhampton Wanderers vs Liverpool – Friday 8pm

A 94th-minute winner from André secured a 2-1 victory for Wolves over Liverpool at Molineux on Tuesday as they claimed their second win in a row.

Rob Edwards’ side became the first team in the league’s history to score a stoppage-time winner against the reigning champions.

The last four fixtures between the teams have ended 2-1, with Liverpool holding the knockout advantage from their most recent FA Cup meeting, a 1-0 victory at Molineux.

Prediction: Liverpool to win and score over 2.5 goals

Mansfield Town vs Arsenal – Saturday 12:15pm

The sides have met only once in their history, in the FA Cup on January 26, 1929, when Arsenal won 2-0.

Mansfield are currently 16th in League One and winless since their 2-1 victory at Turf Moor in February.

They have now gone nine league games without a win, most recently drawing 0-0 against relegation-threatened Rotherham United.

The Gunners are on a 10-game unbeaten run and are the most successful team in the competition’s history, having lifted the trophy 14 times.

Prediction: Arsenal to score over 3.5 goals

READ MORE: Premier League news: Igor Tudor reiterates belief in Spurs’ survival after Crystal Palace defeat

Wrexham vs Chelsea – Saturday 5:45pm

This will be the first competitive meeting between the sides following their most recent friendly, which ended 2-2 in July 2024.

Wrexham have reached the fifth round for the first time since the 1996/97 season and are on a five-game unbeaten run under Phil Parkinson.

Despite reaching three finals in the last six years, Chelsea have not won the competition since 2018, when Antonio Conte was in charge.

The Blues have lifted the cup eight times and will be confident heading to Wales after dominating their mid-week league fixture against Aston Villa, winning 4-1.

Prediction: Over 2.5 goals in the game

Newcastle United vs Manchester City – Saturday 8:00pm

This clash marks the 11th meeting between the sides in the FA Cup, with City winning the most recent encounter 2-0 in March 2024.

The Magpies lost 5-1 on aggregate when the sides met in the EFL Cup semi-finals earlier this season, but Eddie Howe’s team have progressed from nine of their last 10 ties at this stage of the competition.

“We want to go as far as we can,” said Howe. “We would love to have a cup run.”

Newcastle have not kept a clean sheet in 10 matches, yet they were still able to hand Michael Carrick his first defeat as Manchester United manager despite being reduced to 10 men.

City have also benefited from three own goals in the competition this season – a joint record with West Ham in 2005 and City themselves in 2019.

Prediction: Manchester City to win by over 2.5 goals

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Cheltenham Festival 2026: Richard Johnson’s thoughts on Grade One action

Port Vale vs Sunderland – Sunday 1:30pm

Despite being 10 points off safety in League One, Port Vale beat Bristol City 1-0 to reach the fifth round for the first time since 1995.

The Valiants have not won two games in a row since January 13, yet a 112th-minute winner was enough to seal victory against EFL Championship opposition in the previous round.

Sunderland’s recent form has seen them drop out of the top half of the Premier League table, but a 1-0 win against Leeds during the week was a welcome return to form for the Black Cats.

The presence of captain Granit Xhaka will also strengthen Sunderland’s midfield as they look to build on their 2-1 win over Port Vale in the EFL Cup first round in 2021.

Prediction: Sunderland to win by over 1.5 goals

West Ham vs Brentford – Monday 7:30pm

The two London clubs last met in the FA Cup in 2023, when West Ham came out on top.

However, recent form makes Brentford the favourites as they travel to the London Stadium.

Keith Andrews’ side won 2-0 there earlier in the season and have suffered just one loss in their last five matches.

For the Hammers, a 1-0 win against Fulham has drawn them level with Nottingham Forest in their battle to avoid relegation.

The Bees are enjoying their best cup run since the 2018/19 season, when they eventually lost 4-1 to Swansea.

Prediction: Both teams to score, Brentford to win

READ NEXT: WWE news: Randy Orton back in main event picture, wins ‘Elimination Chamber’