The most important moment of the season is already here. Between April and May, the most prestigious titles will be contested. Among them, the most special, the oldest in the world at club level: the FA Cup. The quarter-finals take place this weekend. The winners will play the semi-finals at Wembley on 25 and 26 April, whilst the final will be on 16 May.

The quarter-final round gets off to a flying start. Two of the title favourites face off at the Etihad Stadium. Manchester City and Liverpool are battling it out for a place in the semi-finals and the chance to end the season with excitement or under immense pressure. Guardiola’s side have already been knocked out of the Champions League and are not in control of their own destiny in the Premier League, whilst Arne Slot’s side have only the FA Cup and the Champions League left to win a trophy.

As such, a thrilling clash is expected, with the ‘Sky Blues’ clear favourites. Players such as Rodrigo and Haaland are fit and in good form, whilst the ‘Reds’ will be without key players such as Alisson, Salah and Alexander Isak. The winner will travel to Wembley; the loser will watch from home.

Port Vale and Southampton, aiming for an upset

The second tie will be played at Stamford Bridge, where Chelsea host Port Vale, the only League One side still in the competition. The ‘Blues’ must win to keep their FA Cup hopes alive, the only title they are chasing in this final stretch of the season. Should Chelsea be knocked out, it would be one of the biggest footballing surprises of the year.

Saturday’s fixtures conclude with Southampton, the only Championship side in the quarter-finals, and Arsenal. The team from the south of England will be looking to cause an upset at their home ground, backed by their fans. The Premier League leaders, for their part, will be looking to avenge their defeat in the EFL Cup final. Mikel Arteta’s side want to return to Wembley.

Sunday’s fixture sees West Ham take on Leeds United at the London Stadium. The Londoners are in the relegation zone in the Premier League, and their main objective is to avoid the drop. Yet they haven’t given up on their dreams. Leeds, for their part, are on course to stay in the top flight and want the end of the season to be remembered for having played, at the very least, an FA Cup semi-final at Wembley.

FA Cup quarter-final fixtures and TV broadcasts

• Manchester City v Liverpool (4 April 12:45 TNT Sports, TNT Sports 1, Discovery and HBO MAX)
• Chelsea v Port Vale (4 April 17:15 BBC Sport, BBC One, TNT Sports, TNT Sports 1, Discovery and HBO MAX)
• Southampton v Arsenal (4 April, 20:00 BBC Sport, BBC One, TNT Sports, TNT Sports 1, Discovery and HBO MAX)
• West Ham v Leeds United (5 April, 16:30 TNT Sports, TNT Sports 1, Discovery and HBO MAX)