SOCCER:CHELSEA, THE English FA Cup holders, will play a home quarter-final against Manchester City or Stoke. The tie will be their third match at Stamford Bridge in four rounds of this season's competition.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who beat Cardiff comfortably on Saturday, are favourites to lift the trophy again, but the draw could have been kinder – City are the highest-placed Premier League team left in the competition, other than the holders.
Not that Roberto Mancini’s side can be confident of a place in the last four. Stoke have already knocked out Arsenal at the Britannia Stadium and will fancy their chances of reaching the last eight for the first time since 1972.
Portsmouth, who have been given additional time to get their finances in order, following a high court hearing last week, have been drawn against Birmingham at Fratton Park – the only quarter-final fixture which is not awaiting the outcome of a replay.
Pompey beat their south-coast rivals Southampton in the fifth round on Saturday, while Birmingham qualified for the quarter-finals by overcoming Derby County 2-1 at Pride Park.
Avram Grant’s team, who were FA Cup winners two years ago, will have plenty of financial incentive to beat Birmingham: winning teams in the quarter-finals each receive €415,000 from the FA’s prize fund.
Crystal Palace, who came close to causing an FA Cup shock at home to Aston Villa yesterday, will face either Reading or West Bromwich Albion in the last eight if they come through a replay at Villa Park.
Tottenham, held by Bolton Wanderers at the Reebok Stadium yesterday, will face Fulham at Craven Cottage if they are successful in the replay at White Hart Lane.
Sixth Round draw
Chelsea v Man City/Stoke City
Fulham v Bolton/Tottenham
Reading/WBA v Crystal Palace/Aston Villa
Portsmouth v Birmingham City
Ties to be played over the weekend of March 6th.
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