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The
FA Cup enters the quarter-final stages this weekend as eight-time winners Chelsea bid to become the third most successful team in the competition.
The Blues continue their quest for a ninth title with a trip to Championship outfit Middlesbrough on Saturday evening (19h15 kick-off CAT).
The west Londoners most recently lifted the trophy in 2018 when they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the final.
They were runners-up on three occasions in the last five years, having lost to Arsenal in 2017 and 2020, while Leicester got the better of them last season.
Thomas Tuchel's side have yet to face a top-flight rival this term, with Chesterfield, Plymouth Argyle and Luton Town their opponents in the previous rounds.
Boro have reached the last hurdle just once - they were beaten 2-0 by Chelsea in 1997.
The Teessiders have already knocked out two Premier League clubs on their way to the quarter-finals. They eliminated the Red Devils on penalties in the fourth round and needed extra time to get past Tottenham in the fifth round.
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Meanwhile, Everton will be hoping for an FA Cup tonic when they travel to Selhurst Park to face Crystal Palace on Sunday afternoon (14h30 kick-off CAT).
The Toffees have endured a torrid campaign in the Premier League, with a 1-0 defeat at home to Wolves on Sunday their fourth in a row and their ninth in 10 outings.
Frank Lampard's men recorded comfortable victories over Boreham Wood and Brentford in the previous two rounds after being taken to extra time by Hull in January.
The Merseysiders have won the coveted trophy five times, with their last success coming in 1995 when they triumphed 1-0 over Manchester United.
Speaking about the cup-tie against Palace, Lampard said: "There's an excitement about getting to the next round ... it is a magical competition, the club has a lot of history in it, so I'm excited to be involved, as are the players."
The Eagles have been denied victory in the final twice; they lost to the Red Devils on both occasions - in 1990 and 2016.
Patrick Vieira's charges had a relatively easy run to the last-eight following victories against Millwall (2-1), Hartlepool United (2-0) and Stoke City (2-1).
However, Vieira admits they need to raise performances if they hope to progress further in the competition.
"It is a really exciting period. It is one step before Wembley. We are pleased and happy to go to the next round," the Frenchman said. "If we want to go further we will need to play better."
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