Manchester, UK, Feb 28 (V7N) — With the Premier League title race slipping away and their Champions League campaign over, Manchester City and Manchester United now see the FA Cup as their last shot at silverware this season.

Defending champions Manchester United and last year’s finalists Manchester City remain among the favorites, especially after Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham were all eliminated. However, teams like Brighton, Newcastle, and Crystal Palace will be eager to stake their claim at Wembley on May 17.

Key FA Cup Fifth Round Fixtures:

Crystal Palace vs. Millwall (Saturday, 12:15 GMT)

Crystal Palace, twice runners-up in FA Cup history, have hit form at the perfect time. Oliver Glasner’s squad has won seven of their last nine games, including a 4-1 thrashing of Aston Villa in midweek.

French striker Jean-Phillippe Mateta has been instrumental, scoring eight goals in his last nine matches, helping Palace climb to 12th place in the Premier League.

Championship side Millwall, however, will look to spoil their South London rivals’ Wembley dream in this heated derby.

Manchester City vs. Plymouth (Saturday, 17:30 GMT)

Peymouth Argyle pulled off one of the shocks of the tournament by eliminating Liverpool 1-0 in the previous round. Their reward? A daunting trip to the Etihad Stadium to face Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City.

Plymouth boss Miron Muslic, whose motivational team talks have gone viral, sees the match as an opportunity of a lifetime:

"It's the biggest honor of my life. I'm looking forward to shaking Pep's hand and telling him he's a giant of our sport," said Muslic.

But with City’s title defense faltering, Guardiola will likely see this as a must-win match to keep his trophy hopes alive.

Newcastle vs. Brighton (Sunday, 13:45 GMT)

This all-Premier League clash is arguably the most competitive tie of the round.

Newcastle, currently sixth in the Premier League, already have a League Cup final against Liverpool next month, but they are desperate to end their 56-year wait for a major trophy.

Brighton, led by Fabian Hurzeler, have bounced back from a poor run to win four consecutive matches. Having already beaten Newcastle at St. James’ Park earlier this season, they will be confident of an upset—especially if Newcastle striker Alexander Isak, who has 21 goals this season, remains sidelined with a groin injury.

Menchester United vs. Fulham (Sunday, 16:30 GMT)

United, who shocked City in last season’s final, have endured a miserable campaign under Ruben Amorim, but the FA Cup remains their best chance at redemption.

Despite struggling in the league, United showed fighting spirit in a 3-2 comeback win against Ipswich midweek. However, they will be without Patrick Dorgu, who saw red in that match.

Fulham, who sit above United in the league table, have lost both of their previous encounters with the Red Devils this season (1-0). However, they will have extra motivation after their infamous FA Cup quarter-final loss at Old Trafford two years ago, where a chaotic 15-minute meltdown saw Aleksandar Mitrovic, Willian, and manager Marco Silva all sent off.

With Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea, and Tottenham all eliminated, this year’s FA Cup presents a golden opportunity for a new champion—or perhaps a Manchester derby final once again.

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