I must have missed the announcement but this season's fifth-round ties are all being played in midweek, with all eight ties to be decided on the night commencing next Monday. I can't recall this happening before

Monday - The tie featuring League One Portsmouth, the lowest ranked club left in the competition, at home to record 13-time winners Arsenal, will be shown on BT Sport on 2 March (19:45).

Tuesday - BBC One - Chelsea against Liverpool on 3 March (19:45 GMT) .

Wednesday - The FA Cup sixth-round draw will follow the match also on BBC between Sheffield Wednesday and Premier League champions City on 4 March (19:45).

Never mind any of you neo liberal BBC hating political types, that's got to be worth the license fee alone. Comedy gold.


Thursday - BT Sport will also show Derby County at home to Manchester United on 5 March (19:45), a tie which could see the Rams' Wayne Rooney face his old club.

If ties are level after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties will determine who goes through.

The FA Cup final takes place at Wembley on 23 May.