As the FA Cup reaches its business end with just eight teams remaining, the competition promises drama, upsets and possibly history. For most contenders, this represents a rare chance at glory - with only Manchester City having won major silverware since 2000.
"We all saw how much winning the Carabao Cup meant to Newcastle fans after their long wait for a trophy," said BBC Sport football expert Chris Sutton. "Liverpool and Arsenal are out, and City are clearly not the force they were, so this feels like a big chance for the other teams left in it to get some glory - I just hope they try to take it."
Sutton has made predictions for all four quarter-final ties, joined by Brit-nominated DJ and producer Nathan Dawe, an Aston Villa fan whose new single "Here In Your Arms" featuring vocalist Abi Flynn is out now.
Aston Villa are experiencing something of a renaissance under Unai Emery. They're chasing silverware on two fronts - reaching the last eight of both the Champions League and FA Cup.
"I'm still in dreamland," Nathan told BBC Sport. "I still can't believe I am going to Paris in a couple of weeks to watch us in a Champions League quarter-final. Honestly, it has not sunk in. I only ever used to hear about these glory days from my dad, but now we are actually able to experience it together. It's just unbelievable."
He added: "What Unai Emery has done since taking charge in 2022 is just astronomical, and the players and fans are fully on board with what he is doing. Even when things are not going so well, it is clear that the team still has full confidence in the manager to have a Plan B or C to turn games around, and we have seen that happen on multiple occasions this season."
The quarter-final action kicks off at Craven Cottage with Fulham hosting Crystal Palace. Despite Palace being strong on the road, Sutton believes their three-week break might disrupt their momentum. "This is going to be a close game, but I actually fancy Fulham to edge it. Marco Silva's side have got goals in them, and my gut feeling is that they will get through in 90 minutes," predicts Sutton, going for a 2-1 Fulham win.
Nathan, however, sees it differently: "It feels like Palace always turn into world-beaters in the last couple of months of the season, and I can see them winning this. 1-2."
Brighton hosts Nottingham Forest in a match that offers the Seagulls a chance for revenge after their humiliating 7-0 defeat at the City Ground in February. Far from collapsing, Brighton have since gone on an impressive run of six wins and one draw under Fabian Hurzeler.
"Sometimes getting thrashed like that can have a positive effect on a team, and clear the air," Sutton notes, recalling his own experience as a Norwich player after a 7-1 loss to Blackburn in 1992. "I remember losing 7-1 at Blackburn Rovers in October 1992, when I was a centre-half for Norwich City, but we had a crate of beer on the coach home to put things right and we were still top of the Premier League table at Christmas. I did get moved up front after that though."
Sutton predicts a 2-0 Brighton win, with Nathan agreeing on the same scoreline, suggesting Forest may prioritize their league position: "Forest are in such a good position in the league, I have a feeling they are going to be super-focused on that."
At Deepdale, Championship side Preston North End host high-flying Aston Villa. Preston haven't lost at home since November 2, a run spanning 15 games. "Preston are hard to beat at home," Sutton acknowledges, but still backs Villa's quality to prevail with a 0-2 win.
Nathan is more cautious about his team's prospects: "It won't be as easy as people might think, even if we don't make lots of changes, because Preston will throw everything at us. I do expect us to go through. 0-1."
The final quarter-final sees Bournemouth hosting Manchester City in what Sutton calls "such a difficult tie to call." He points out that Bournemouth were the team that "started the rot" for City with their November victory, which was City's first league defeat of the season.
"Who would have imagined that, five months on, they would have lost eight of their next 19 league games and be in the position they are now, with just the FA Cup left as the only thing they can win?" Sutton muses.
Despite City's struggles, Sutton expects them to advance after extra time with a 2-3 win, while Nathan predicts a more comfortable 1-3 City victory.
The FA Cup has taken on added significance for Pep Guardiola's City, who have reached the semi-finals for each of the past six seasons - an unprecedented achievement. With their league form faltering, winning the cup has become "huge for City now, because it feels so crucial for boss Pep Guardiola to finish such a difficult season with a piece of silverware."
As the competition progresses, several clubs have the opportunity to make history. For teams like Fulham, Crystal Palace, Brighton, and Bournemouth who have never won a major trophy, this represents a golden opportunity to write their names in the history books.
