FA CUP QUARTER-FINALS PREVIEW: Man City play VIncent Komany’s Burnley while Man Utd play Fuljham

We’re in the business final of the FA Cup and usually this is the stage where the greats really claim their trophy.

But the quarterfinal lineup looks a bit different this year, with only half the top-flight teams and three of four drawn, including opposition from the lower leagues.

Vincent Kompany takes his team from Burnley to Manchester City, which he captained in its first golden age, while Grimsby supporters travel to Brighton in numbers.

We will have at least one Championship team in the semi-final, while the Carabao Cup winners host Fulham in the weekend’s final tie.

Here, Sportsmail gives you team news, detailed information on the minnows and assesses the probability of an upset in each game…

Manchester City vs. Burnley. 17:45 Saturday, Etihad Stadium, BBC One

The detail

Vincent Kompany returns to Manchester City with his team 19 points behind third place in the Championship. In fact, the Clarets have lost just twice in the league, neither of which at Turf Moor. Burnley averaged 39 per cent possession last season but, since Kompany took over, the Belgians have turned them into an attacking team averaging 64 per cent. Burnley won the FA Cup in 1914, but the last meeting of these teams in the competition was in 2019, when City won 5-0. The player to watch is Saints loan Nathan Tella.

players to watch

Anass Zaroury cost Burnley just £4m and was called up by Morocco this week after a fine season. The 22-year-old looks to grab the ball at every opportunity and is in the top decile in passes received per 90 and assists expected (xA).

How likely is a shock?

Burnley envision themselves here, but City are after the Cup this year. 3/5.

Sheffield United-Blackburn Rovers. Sunday 12:00, Bramall Lane, ITV1

The detail

Blackburn are one of six teams from England’s top four tiers never to play at the new Wembley. The odds are slightly against them to change that here, but Rovers travel to South Yorkshire in fine form having won seven of their last eight games. Jon Dahl Tomasson is boss and Rovers have never gone past the last eight of the FA Cup in 12 tries. Sheffield United are second in the Championship under Paul Heckingbottom and the star man is Iliman Ndiaye. Watch out for two on loan from Manchester City, Tommy Doyle and James McAtee.

players to watch

Just a year ago it was felt that Ben Brereton Diaz was the be all and end all things Rovers, but now the Chile international is not a guaranteed starter. The dynamic winger duo of Tyrhys Dolan and Sorba Thomas are fantastic footballers, while Sammi Szmodics is racking up goals and assists in his central role. John Buckley and Lewis Travis form a balanced double act in midfield.

How likely is a shock?

Both in the same division so it’s not a ‘shock’ but we’re going with five out of five! 5/5.

Brighton v Grimsby, Sunday 2:15pm, Amex Stadium, BBC One

The detail

Grimsby fans are having the time of their lives in the FA Cup this year and brought over 4,000 fans to Southampton when they knocked the team out of the Premier League. With some Gulls fans talking about Wembley, the Mariners could imagine their chances for an upset. Manager Paul Hurst played over 400 games for Rotherham in his career and his team are 15th in League Two, 75 places below Brighton. He beware of Grimsby’s inflatable Harry Haddocks, which were in good repair at St Mary’s. Another victory for the little ones?

players to watch

Delphlyx, who are Mail Sport’s partners in football data, inform us that 21-year-old central defender Andy Smith is the Grimsby player to watch, in this match and beyond. He is a proactive centre-back who is capable of making life uncomfortable for attackers and his energy could be key to Grimsby’s chances of success. Moving forward, local boy Harry Clifton has eight goals and four assists this season. John McAtee, brother of Manchester City boy James, may pose a threat on loan from Luton.

How likely is a shock?

A great day for Grimsby but Brighton will be too professional here, sorry! 1/5.

Manchester United-Fulham, Sunday, 4:30 p.m., Old Trafford, ITV1

The detail

With the Carabao Cup already in the bag, Manchester United will be wishing for their FA Cup chances and are just one game away from Wembley again. But Fulham are serious this season and despite a terrible performance against Arsenal last weekend, with star midfielder Joao Palhinha absent, they won’t let United beat them.

Fulham have reached the quarter-finals nine times but have lost them all, most recently in back-to-back years 2009 and 2010. Twelve-time winners United have not won the FA Cup since 2016.

players to watch

Manor Solomon has been one of the best players in the Premier League in recent weeks and the former Shakhtar Donetsk player has scored in five of his last six games. There is no Casemiro for Manchester United, so former Red Devils star Andreas Pereira could cause problems with their runs from the bottom.

How likely is a shock?

Again, same division, but it will be a big surprise if Fulham win at Old Trafford. Why not? 3/5.