FA Cup Preview: Stoke City Hosts Fulham in Fifth-Round Clash

LONDON (Interstat) — A place in the FA Cup quarterfinals is on the line Sunday when Stoke City hosts Premier League side Fulham at bet365 Stadium.

The fifth-round fixture, scheduled for Feb. 15, 2026, pits the Championship’s Potters against top-flight opposition, a classic Cup challenge. According to Interstat’s game simulator, the match is projected to end in a 1-1 draw, potentially forcing a replay at Fulham’s Craven Cottage.

Stoke City enters the match following an extended break, with its last competitive outing a 2-0 loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers U18 in a Premier League Cup match on Jan. 24. Its most recent first-team result was a 1-0 Championship victory at Hull City on New Year’s Day. Managerial focus has likely been solely on this Cup tie, offering a rare chance for season-defining glory against a higher-division opponent.

Fulham arrives with mixed recent form. The Cottagers fell 2-1 at Newcastle United in a Premier League contest on Dec. 17, 2025, their last match. Their Cup run this season has seen them navigate past lower-league opponents Cambridge United and Bristol City, alongside draws against Wycombe Wanderers and Brighton & Hove Albion. The Premier League’s demanding schedule resumes next month, making a deep Cup run a welcome distraction from their mid-table league positioning.

The historical FA Cup pedigree favors Fulham, who reached the semifinals in 2022. Stoke City’s last significant run was a final appearance in 2011. The Potters will rely on a robust home atmosphere to bridge the gap in league status.

For the winner, a spot in the last eight awaits. Fulham’s next scheduled match is a Premier League London derby against Chelsea on March 21. Stoke City’s next Championship fixture is at Preston North End, also on March 21.

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. GMT Sunday. The match will be broadcast domestically on ITV.