Shearer's FA Cup Verdict: City to Lift Trophy, Arsenal Face Crucial Test Against Saints

Easter football is properly back on the agenda this weekend, with the FA Cup quarter-finals commanding centre stage across a packed schedule.

The headline attraction sees Manchester City host Liverpool at the Etihad, while Arsenal head to St Mary's to face Southampton and Chelsea welcome Port Vale to Stamford Bridge. West Ham and Leeds United round out the quartet on Sunday in a clash between sides battling relegation concerns.

Alan Shearer has weighed in with his assessment of the fixtures, backing City to see off their rivals and ultimately lift the trophy. The confidence coursing through the Manchester outfit following their Carabao Cup triumph will propel them forward, according to the former Newcastle striker.

"City will have that belief and assurance flowing through them after winning the Carabao Cup and the manner in which they did it," Shearer explained to The Metro. "There's plenty of chatter surrounding Pep and whether he remains beyond this campaign, just as there's been discussion about Liverpool's form. Despite all that noise, I fancy City to navigate through and potentially go the distance in this competition."

The picture looks rather different for Arsenal, who must bounce back from the sting of their Carabao Cup final defeat just a fortnight ago. Shearer reckons Southampton will pose a genuine examination, one that carries significant weight for the Gunners' title aspirations should things go pear-shaped.

"Arsenal understand precisely how challenging this Southampton test will be, especially given what transpired in the Carabao Cup not long ago," Shearer continued. "The spotlight's on them, the pressure's mounting. Southampton can serve up a proper difficult afternoon—they've shown impressive form in climbing the Championship table.

"They'll make Arsenal work for it, though I do think the Gunners possess enough to get through. Elimination would be mentally devastating for them at this stage, given what they're chasing in the league. But I expect them to progress."