The fourth round of the Adobe Women’s FA Cup marks a defining moment in the competition, as the Women’s Super League clubs enter, and the balance between aspiration and expectation becomes clear.
This season will be the last time a team can win the quadruple, so the stakes for Chelsea are exceptionally high, as they are the team that has come closest in recent years to this accolade.
The beauty of the FA Cup is that everyone can get involved. It's where the biggest shocks will happen, with lower league teams taking on the big top-flight sides.
Chelsea v Crystal Palace
At the forefront are Chelsea, the holders, whose recent dominance in the competition ensures they remain the standard against which others are judged.
Chelsea Women v Crystal Palace Women
Chelsea begins their defence at home; they know how to go far in this competition, and they have won the trophy six times over the last decade.
The Blues will want to go all the way; anything less would be a shock and abysmal. They have the weight of expectations on their shoulders and will not be complacent, and should never underestimate their opposition, as everyone wants to beat Chelsea and end their dominance.
Chelsea has built a reputation for treating the Women’s FA Cup with seriousness, often using early rounds to establish authority while maintaining a high level of performance.
Crystal Palace arrive knowing the scale of the task. This will be a significant challenge. The last time they met was in April 2025, when Chelsea won 4-0. Their first meeting in the WSL after Palace's promotion ended 7-0. The only other meeting last season was less goal-laden, with Chelsea winning again 1-0 in the FA Cup quarter-final. These two sides have met five times. Chelsea have overall scored 16 goals and Palace none, but after some rocky performances in the WSL, it could be all to play for.
Chelsea’s depth is likely to be decisive. Even with rotation, their technical quality, pressing structure and attacking movement tend to overwhelm Championship-level opponents. Crystal Palace are likely to defend deep and remain compact, but sustaining that approach for 90 minutes against Chelsea’s sustained pressure is difficult. All indicators point toward Chelsea progressing.
Manchester United Women v Burnley Women
Manchester United also enter the competition at home and has approached the tie with an emphasis on squad depth and opportunity. The Women’s FA Cup has become a significant competition for Manchester United, who regularly balance development with a strong desire to progress. For them, this is the competition they have dominated in the last few years. They have been in the final for three seasons in a row now. Back in 2024, they beat Chelsea in the semi-final and went on to win it. In 2023 and 2025, they faced the Blues in the finals and were dismantled overwhelmingly.
Burnley have been open about their underdog status, describing the tie as a chance to test themselves with little external pressure. Previous meetings underline the challenge they face. Manchester United have comfortably won past competitive encounters, using their high press and pace in vast areas to create chances in volume.
Burnley are expected to prioritise defensive organisation, but Manchester United’s movement and midfield control usually tell in the long run. With home advantage and a clear gap in quality, Manchester United are firm favourites to move through to the next round.
Arsenal Women v Aston Villa Women
Arsenal enters the competition with a clear sense of tradition and expectation. They have won this title a record 14 times, though their last win came nearly a decade ago in 2016.
The Women’s FA Cup is a part of Arsenal’s identity.
Aston Villa approach the tie with belief, but history strongly favours Arsenal. However, their last two meetings have been anything but that. In April 2025, at the end of the WSL season, when Arsenal were chasing Champions League qualification (before they won the competition), they lost 5-2 at Villa. That continued into this season, where in September, both sides dropped points in a 1-1 draw.
Arsenal’s ability to control matches through structured build-up and creative midfield play has consistently been too much for Villa.
Arsenal have had a turbulent start to the season, with controversial decisions going against them, allegations about their environment and culture, and the worst start in their first nine WSL games since 2014.
Villa are likely to remain compact and attempt to counter, but Arsenal’s patience and technical quality usually break down resistance. With greater depth and a strong record in the competition, Arsenal are expected to progress.
AFC Bournemouth Women v Manchester City Women
For AFC Bournemouth, this fixture represents one of the most significant occasions in the club’s history. Their messaging has reflected pride in reaching this stage and excitement at hosting elite opposition.
Manchester City, however, approaches the tie with calm confidence. The club has made clear that rotation will not reduce performance standards. While there is no competitive history between the two women’s teams, the difference in level is apparent.
Manchester City’s ability to dominate possession, press aggressively, and score from multiple areas of the pitch presents a significant challenge for Bournemouth. The hosts are likely to defend deep and aim to disrupt rhythm, but Manchester City’s attacking depth and sustained pressure should ultimately prove decisive.
Manchester City will hope to build on their first-half WSL season performance as they currently sit six points clear at the top of the table. Without Champions League football, they can focus more of their energy on domestic football. If they have a fit-and-shooting Bunny Shaw, they will be hard to beat.
Tottenham Hotspur Women v Leicester City Women
This all-women’s Super League tie is among the most competitive of the round. Tottenham Hotspur have highlighted the importance of home advantage and momentum, while Leicester City have spoken about confidence drawn from previous cup performances.
Recent meetings slightly favour Tottenham Hotspur, particularly in London. Tottenham Hotspur’s structure allows them to control midfield areas and dictate tempo, while Leicester City often rely on defensive discipline and counterattacking opportunities.
This match may remain close for long periods, but Tottenham Hotspur’s home advantage and marginally stronger recent record give them a narrow edge.
Spurs have probably been one of the biggest shocks this season; they currently sit fifth in the table before the winter break. They have put in some solid performances, including a 3-3 draw against Manchester United. Plus, they kept their North London rivals at bay in a 0-0 draw.
Brighton & Hove Albion Women v Nottingham Forest Women
Brighton & Hove Albion have framed the tie around control and professionalism. The club views the Women’s FA Cup as an opportunity to reinforce consistency and progress.
Nottingham Forest arrive as underdogs and have embraced the challenge. Previous meetings favour Brighton & Hove Albion, who have tended to dominate possession and territory in this fixture.
If Brighton & Hove Albion maintain patience and avoid early frustration, their technical superiority and experience at the Women’s Super League level should allow them to progress.
Brighton is missing the creativity of Michelle Ageymang, who is out with an ACL, as they attempt to rebuild their season. These two sides met in mid-November, with Brighton winning 4-1.
Newcastle United Women v West Ham United Women
Newcastle United have emphasised the importance of home support and the significance of the occasion. West Ham United, meanwhile, have stressed focus and discipline.
There is limited recent competitive history between the sides, but West Ham United’s Women’s Super League experience is an essential factor. Newcastle United may make the match uncomfortable, particularly early on, but West Ham United’s composure and sharper attacking quality could be decisive.
While West Ham sit at the bottom of the WSL table, their performances in recent months have improved, from losing 4-0 to losing by only a goal. It took them until mid-November to get their first WSL victory, though, so this could be a close match.
West Bromwich Albion Women v Everton Women
For West Bromwich Albion, hosting Everton represents a landmark moment. The club has acknowledged the challenge while embracing the occasion.
Everton arrives with confidence built on a strong historical record against lower-tier opposition. Previous meetings heavily favour Everton, whose organisation and experience in knockout competition often prove telling.
West Bromwich Albion are likely to compete with discipline and commitment, but Everton’s quality and game management make them firm favourites.
Everton will likely still be running on the high of breaking Chelsea's unbeaten run in WSL in 34 games and taking points away in London for the first time in 12 and a half years.
London Bees v Liverpool Women
Liverpool has approached the tie with professionalism and respect for the competition. London Bees have spoken openly about the scale of the task.
The competitive history strongly favours Liverpool, who have won every previous meeting. Liverpool’s structure, fitness levels and attacking options should allow them to control the match, even if London Bees remain competitive early on.
Liverpool sits at the bottom of the WSL with no wins and only three points. They are at an all-time low.
Competitive Ties Beyond the Women’s Super League
Away from the spotlight, Charlton Athletic host Swindon Town with confidence drawn from home advantage and previous meetings that favour Charlton Athletic. Ipswich Town welcome Sheffield United in a closely matched tie, though Sheffield United’s experience at a higher competitive level may prove decisive.
Oxford United’s recent momentum in the competition gives them belief against Middlesbrough, while York City Ladies may rely on greater national cup experience when travelling to Chatham Town. Southampton face a demanding test against Bristol City, who have a pedigree that makes them slight favourites.
Sunderland will hope home support can influence their match against London City Lionesses, though recent meetings favour the visitors. Hull City host Birmingham City in a historic tie that pits occasion against experience, with Birmingham City expected to manage the challenge effectively.
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