The oldest national football competition in the world – English FA Cup. Competition in which Premier League sides meet lower league teams in a knockout tournament, which not so rare leads to elimination of top-flight clubs. Or at least, the weaker side can win the right to get a replay.
Replay meetings are invented as a fair way to divide two clubs in the result of a draw. From the 2018-19 season, replays take place in rounds up to and including the Fourth round (1/32 finals). So, games resulting in a draw after 90 minutes go to a replay, played at the away team ground at least 10 days after the initial meeting. If the repeated match is still tied, follows 30 minutes of extra-time, 15 minutes in each half. If the score is still level after extra-time the winner shall be determined by penalty kicks.
In the Fifth round (last 16 round) onwards, up to and including the final, there are no replays. That rule is introduced to help avoid fixture congestion after six Premier League clubs reached the Champions League and Europa League knockout stages last season. So, from the Fifth round, in the event of a draw after 90 minutes, follows 30 minutes of extra-time, with a penalty shootout if the score stays level after extra-time.
How often are the FA Cup replay games? Let’s take a look at the last few seasons.
2019/2020
Second round (20 games, 6 replays)
Third round (32 games, 8 replays)
Fourth round (16 games, 6 replays)
2018/2019
Second round (20 games, 5 replays)
Third round (32 games, 4 replays)
Fourth round (16 games, 5 replays)
2017/2018
Second round (20 games, 7 replays)
Third round (32 games, 8 replays)
Fourth round (16 games, 4 replays)
Fifth round (8 games, 2 replays)
2016/2017
Second round (20 games, 6 replays)
Third round (32 games, 9 replays)
Fourth round (16 games, 1 replay)
Fifth round (8 games, 1 replay)
2015/2016
Second round (20 games, 5 replays)
Third round (32 games, 10 replays)
Fourth round (16 games, 2 replays)
Fifth round (8 games, 1 replay)
Sixth round (4 games, 1 replay)
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Explanation: player statistics (a/b c)
a - games played this season
b - goals scored
c - team position (d - defender, m - midfielder, f - forward, g - goalkeeper).
