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Of the eight matches in the fifth round of the FA Cup, only five will be televised, and though it isn’t yet certain that Liverpool will make it to the fifth round, if they do theirs will be broadcast. Following the draw earlier in the week, the BT Sport and the BBC have selected the fifth round matches that they will show live in February, and Liverpool—or Bolton—at Crystal Palace is amongst them.
BT Sport picked the potential Palace vs. Liverpool tie, which no matter which of Liverpool or Bolton advance will be played at 5:30PM GMT on Saturday, February 14th, for airing. The private broadcaster also selected West Brom vs. West Ham and Arsenal vs. Middlesbrough. The BBC have selected Aston Villa vs. Leicester and Preston North End or Sheffield United vs. Cambridge or Manchester United as their matches.
Both broadcasters will be desperate the Premier League sides facing replays make it to the fifth round to avoid a pair of less than ideal broadcasts. Bradford City vs. Sunderland, Blackburn vs. Stoke, and Derby vs. Reading were all left unselected, meaning supporters of those six teams will be unable to watch their clubs play if they aren’t in the stadium. All three are intriguing matches, and it remains unfortunate that the magic of the FA Cup at times seems to involve not being able to witness some of its best matches and moments.
Regardless of that, Liverpool fans around the globe are now assured that, should they beat Bolton in their replay, Liverpool’s fifth round tie will be one of those that will be televised.
