FEATURED: Three unmissable Women’s FA Cup fourth round ties | OneFootball

The Adobe Women’s FA Cup brings the first competitive action of the new calendar year when 16 fourth round ties are staged over the weekend of 11/12 January 2025.

As usual, the fourth round draw produced some eye-catching ties and intruguing match-ups between league rivals and teams that play their football at different levels of the pyramid.

WSL Full-Time have reviewed the 16 fourth round ties and here are three games that simply cannot be missed.

West Ham United v Liverpool

West Ham United’s fourth round match-up against Liverpool is one of just two all-WSL ties. The Hammers were competition runners-up in 2019 while Liverpool were regular FA Cup finalists back in the early-to-mid 1990s, both in their current form and under their previous identity of Knowsley United FC. Both clubs have strong squads and with a bit of luck on their respective Adobe Women’s FA Cup journeys, there is no reason why they can’t reach an Adobe Women’s FA Cup final again this term.

Only Arsenal have beaten West Ham United at The Chigwell Construction Stadium this season while Liverpool’s best form has come on the road. The last three meetings between West Ham United and Liverpool in East London have ended in draws, that includes a 1-1 draw at The Chigwell Construction Stadium back in September. There has been little to separate the two sides in recent times and you’d fancy next month’s tie to go the distance.

Newcastle United v Nottingham Forest or Burnley

After making a solid start in elite level football following their promotion from the FA Women’s National League Northern Premier Division last summer, Newcastle United will have big ambitions moving into 2025. Becky Langley’s side are just five points from the top of the Barclays Women’s Championship table while they have already proved that they can test Barclays Women’s Super League sides in the Subway Women’s League Cup.

While The Magpies are a sleeping giant in the women’s game, they will be favourites when they face either Nottingham Forest or Burnley at Kingston Park in the Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round. That being said, Nottingham Forest and Burnley have their eyes set on reaching the Barclays Women’s Championship in the future and they will want to prove that they are ready to make that step. Both clubs have former elite players in their ranks and they have the tools to trouble Newcastle United.

Langley’s Magpies made hard work of Middlesbrough in the third round before winning the tie 2-0 and they will need to perform better in the fourth round if they are to avoid any scares.

Everton v Tottenham Hotspur

A new era is underway at Everton with the club having finally been taken over after months of nervous waiting. Manager Brian Sørensen has done a great job in balancing a tight budget whilst still producing competitive performances and he could now get the financial backing that he thoroughly deserves. Going into the Christmas break, Everton maybe didn’t have the depth for an Adobe Women’s FA Cup run but the picture may change significantly before The Blue Girls line-up against Tottenham Hotspur next month.

Fourth round opponents Spurs have impressed in domestic cup competitions during Robert Vilahamn’s time in charge. The Lilywhites were Adobe Women’s FA Cup finalists last season while they have reached back-to-back quarter-finals in the Subway Women’s League Cup. Vilahamn has a burning desire to win a trophy with Spurs and he will be keen to go one step further this season.

Both teams have scored in each of the last four league meetings and the latest tie promises goals again. Everton will be hoping to build on some promising home performances in 2025 while Spurs will be targeting much-improved away form.

The early weeks of the January transfer window could indicate how seriously Everton can challenge in this year’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup while Spurs could go far if they can show the necessary level of defensive discipline. Victory in this Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round tie could act as a significant springboard for further progress.

The 16 Adobe Women’s FA Cup fourth round winners will compete in the fifth round on the weekend of 8/9 February 2025.