Photo: Pep Guardiola has his Manchester City team chasing silverware on all four fronts after easing into the quarterfinal of the FA Cup in midweek. (Getty Images)
Three all premier league matchups will highlight the quarterfinal round of the Emirates FA Cup after the draw for the last eight was completed on Thursday.
With the round of 16 now complete, the draw has put together the improving Everton against the form team in England, Manchester City, current third place team Leicester City versus second placed Manchester United, the vastly improved Chelsea against premiership strugglers Sheffield United while the only Championship team in the draw, Bournemouth will host Southampton.
Everton advanced to the last eight following a wild nine goal thrillers against Tottenham Hotspur on Wednesday, coming away 5-4 winners to the delight of Manager Carlo Ancelotti. Manchester City had no such problems against Swansea, easing to a 3-1 win, also on Wednesday.
Everton, who are currently in seventh in the league with two games in hand, will play one of those make up games on Wednesday against Manchester City, before the two meet again, in the Cup.
Man City are 14 games unbeaten in all competitions and having already secured a spot in the Carabao Cup final against Tottenham, will want to get to the semifinals of the FA Cup as well.
Leicester City and Manchester United will both be hoping to extend their stay in the competition as well, in a game that should provide lots of excitement for the fans.
The two teams met in the league on Boxing Day, playing out an exciting 2-2 draw, with the Foxes coming from behind twice to secure a point at home. Brendan Rodgers’ men will play hosts to the team just above them in the league once more.
Chelsea edged Barnsley 1-0 courtesy of a Tammy Abraham strike on Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals where they will host the premier league’s bottom team Sheffield United. Chris Wilder’s men have endured a nightmare second season in the top flight, but have found solace in a deep run in the Cup and will be hoping that their luck continues there.
Thomas Tuchel has not lost a game since taking charge of Chelsea, bring defensive solidity to Stamford Bridge team in their last five games. The FA Cup perhaps represents the best chance of silverware for the German coach this season and with Chelsea having hammered Sheffield 4-1 earlier this season, will expect his rejuvenated team to continue their winning ways against the Blades.
The other quarterfinal match will see the only team left in the competition from the Championship in the last eight, Bournemouth, host the inconsistent Southampton.
Bournemouth upset Burnley 2-0 away, showing that they are made of stern stuff and will be no pushovers for their premiership opponents when they visit.
Southampton were able to shake off their indifferent league form to blank Wolves 2-0 on Thursday to advance to the final eight unscathed and will fancy their chances against the team that played in the premiership up to last season. The Saints should expect a tough challenge however as Burnley found out the hard way, after not fielding their strongest team possible.
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