Tottenham Hotspur among excited EPL clubs after fifth round FA Cup draw

On Monday afternoon, the FA Cup draw for the fifth round ensued; excitement resulted for most Premier League teams, including Tottenham Hotspur.

Of the 16 clubs represented in the fifth-round draw for the 2023 FA Cup, Tottenham Hotspur was one of nine EPL clubs after dispatching Preston North End in the fourth round. With over half of the teams coming from the top of the English football pyramid, the chances were decent enough for Spurs’ opponent in the next round to be a familiar foe. As luck turned out, however, Tottenham, like the majority of the top-flight teams, avoided the worst when the draw was announced.

Fifth-round draw friendly for Premier League teams

With nine Premier League teams in the pot, there would always be at least one all-Premier League match, and that is precisely what we got. Seven of the nine EPL teams were drawn against competition from a lower league, including Spurs.

Manchester United and West Ham United were the exceptions, with those two EPL teams facing one another. Besides that affair, the rest of the Premier League teams – and their respective fans – should be dreaming of an FA Cup, Tottenham Hotspur included.

Tottenham’s opponent is still to be determined

Although we know Spurs will be playing a team from a lower division, how low of a division remains to be seen. Tottenham will face the winner of the Sheffield United versus Wrexham game, which will have a second leg after the first match finished 3-3.

Sheffield United is having a solid season, currently sitting second in the Championship. Although the Blades are five points behind Burnley for first, they are 12 points in front of third-placed Middlesborough – with a game in hand. United look destined for promotion and will be a real test, although playing in a lower division.

Speaking of lower divisions, that is where we find Wrexham. The Red Dragons are the oldest Welsh club but have been in the National League – the fifth division of English football – for decades. The Welsh club has risen to prominence in the last couple of years after Ryan Reynolds was part of a group that purchased the club.

After falling in the playoffs for promotion last season, Wrexham is tied for first in the National League and looking to move up to the Second Division. Beating Tottenham would undoubtedly be a Hollywood story, but Spurs advancing to the quarterfinals is what most fans think in north London.

Having avoided the other Premier League teams, there is no doubt, dreams of an FA Cup are alive and well in the heads of Spurs fans.