The key FA Cup rule change set to be introduced for fifth round fixtures

The fifth round fixtures for the 2022/23 FA Cup take place this week - and there is a key change to the rules for this stage of the competition.

All eight ties take place on Tuesday and Wednesday, with Manchester United, Manchester City and Tottenham among the teams in action.

On Tuesday, Pep Guardiola's side travel to Championship side Bristol City, managed by former Leicester boss Nigel Pearson.

The Foxes, meanwhile, host promotion-chasing Blackburn, who are seven unbeaten in the Championship under Jon Dahl Tomasson after a difficult post-World Cup spell.

There is an all-Premier League tie involving Fulham and Leeds, while Alex Neil's Stoke, of the second tier, host Brighton in the fourth fixture of the evening.

One question asked about the fifth round of fixtures is whether they will follow the same structure as in the third and fourth rounds, with the FA re-introducing replays to the competition this season.

Will the FA Cup fifth round fixtures have replays?

No, replays will not be played if any of the FA Cup fifth round fixtures end in a draw. That's despite the change made by the FA to earlier rounds.

If a fixture ends in a draw after 90 minutes, extra time and penalties will decide the winner on the night.

The rule was changed in the 2018/19 season, with fifth round replays removed due to concerns over fixture congestion. And despite replays returning for earlier rounds, the FA elected not to bring them back for the latter rounds of the competition.

Therefore, Manchester City, Manchester United and co could face the prospect of extra time and penalties - something that would surely want to be avoided, given the fixture congestion for a number of teams in the upcoming months.

United face the prospect of six games in 18 days ahead of the upcoming international break.

Bristol City, meanwhile, are also facing a similar schedule as they edge closer to completing 46 games by the final weekend of the season, which takes place on May 8.