Man City vs Liverpool set to be denied Sunday slot for blockbuster FA Cup tie
Manchester City were drawn against Liverpool in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup after beating Newcastle United 3-1 in the fifth round on Saturday night
Manchester City will take on Liverpool in the FA Cup quarter final. (Image: George Wood, Getty Images)
Manchester City’s FA Cup quarter-final against Liverpool is unlikely to be staged in the traditional showpiece slot of 4pm on Sunday due to the Champions League. The fixture between the two Premier League heavyweights stands out as the headline tie as the remaining eight sides compete to reach Wembley.
Nevertheless, both clubs’ potential involvement in the Champions League may limit when the match can be scheduled. The quarter-final is set for the weekend of 4 April, with the date and kick-off time still to be determined.
However, the Champions League quarter-finals will commence just days afterwards. Should either City or Liverpool progress through their round of 16 ties, then it will have an impact.
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City head to face Real Madrid in their first leg on Wednesday night, before the return leg next Tuesday (17 March).
Liverpool, meanwhile, head to Turkey to face Galatasaray tonight (5.45pm kick-off), with the second leg taking place next Wednesday (18 March) at Anfield.
In the previous FA Cup round, TV slots varied from Friday night, three matches on a Saturday, two fixtures on the Sunday and one on Monday night.
If they stay similar, then it’s probable City vs Liverpool will be staged in one of the slots on either Friday or Saturday.
City secured their spot in the quarter-final with a 3-1 away victory over Newcastle on Saturday night. 24 hours before, Liverpool became the first side to guarantee their place in the last eight with a 3-1 away triumph over Wolves.
The remaining quarter-finals will feature Chelsea versus League One outfit Port Vale, Championship side Southampton welcoming Arsenal, and the all-Premier League clash between West Ham and Leeds.
The fixture scheduling issue could similarly affect both Chelsea and Arsenal, should they progress through their own Champions League knockout ties.
Chelsea travel to PSG on Wednesday night, whilst Arsenal are also on the road against Bayer Leverkusen, with the crucial second legs scheduled for next Tuesday.
Should all four English sides advance through their fixtures, that could leave broadcasters with little option but to place West Ham versus Leeds United in the Sunday 4pm slot.
Watch the FA Cup on TNT Sports
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