FA Cup Tips & Predictions

THE Emirates FA Cup Semi-Finals take place at Wembley Stadium this coming weekend.

Looking back to when I was a kid, the two Semi-Final ties were staged concurrently at 3pm on the same Saturday favouring large club stadiums such as Sheffield Wednesday’s Hillsborough and Villa Park in Birmingham. There were huge terraces behind the respective goals in those days affording a vibrant atmosphere. The games were not televised live although extensive highlights were screened afterwards.

But nowadays, these showpiece occasions are held at the national home of football allowing much bigger crowds. And staggered kick-offs facilitate live television coverage of both matches. 

Here is my comprehensive preview of the upcoming action incorporating considered score predictions to assist your betting:

SATURDAY 20 APRIL 2024

Manchester City v Chelsea - 5.15pm kick-off at Wembley Stadium – Live on BBC One

Manchester City

Current league position: Two points clear at the top of the Premier League with Arsenal and Liverpool in hot pursuit. 
Current form: City are unbeaten in 17 ongoing League games (13 wins, four draws). Their last EPL defeat was 1-0 at Aston Villa on Wednesday 6th December.
FA Cup Semi-Final record: City have graced 18 FA Cup Semi-Finals over the years winning 12 and losing six. 
FA Cup Final record: Of their previous 12 FA Cup Finals, City won seven and lost five. They are reigning holders having dispatched Manchester United 2-1 last year. It featured the fastest goal in FA Cup Final history by Ilkay Gundogan for City after just 12 seconds. Following muscular Erling Haaland aerial approach play, Gundogan magnificently struck a quicksilver 25 yard volley rising into the right hand corner. Gundogan supplied their second goal too six minutes beyond half-time.

Chelsea

Current league position: Ninth in the Premier League some 26 points beneath leaders Manchester City.
Current form: Chelsea are unconquered across eight League and Cup outings. They warmed up nicely for this Semi-Final with a 6-0 annihilation of Everton in the Premier League on Monday night at Stamford Bridge where Cole Palmer scored four. Form man Palmer has hit 11 goals in his past six games. Overall, Chelsea netted 14 times in five FA Cup matches to attain this juncture of the tournament.
FA Cup Semi-Final record: Chelsea boast 26 Semi-Final appearances winning 16 and losing 10.
FA Cup Final record: Of their 16 FA Cup Finals, Chelsea have won eight and lost eight. 

Score prediction: City scintillating 3-1. 

SUNDAY 21 APRIL 2024

Coventry City v Manchester United 3.30pm kick-off at Wembley Stadium – Live on ITV1

Coventry City

Current league position: Eighth in the Championship. Coventry hover eight points below the Play-Off area holding a game in hand. Three of their concluding four EFL fixtures will be at home.
Current form: A disappointing three Championship losses among four. Indeed, Coventry have merely won once since edging through their FA Cup Quarter-Final 3-2 away at Wolverhampton Wanderers on Saturday 16th March. They’ve notched 19 goals in five matches to reach the last four. 
FA Cup Semi-Final record: Coventry’s only previous FA Cup Semi-Final was on 12th April 1987 defeating Leeds United 3-2 after-extra time before 51,372 spectators at Hillsborough. 
FA Cup Final record: Coventry went on to clinch the 1987 competition in their solitary FA Cup Final. An own goal by Gary Mabbutt during extra-time sealed a pulsating 3-2 success against Tottenham Hotspur. BBC TV broadcaster John Motson said afterwards: “It was the finest FA Cup Final I’ve ever had the pleasure of commentating on.”

Manchester United

Current league position: Seventh in the Premier League – sitting 23 points off the summit. 
Current form: United have drawn three of four winless Premier League matches. However, their 4-3 extra-time home triumph versus Liverpool in the Sixth Round on Sunday 17th March was undoubtedly the most exciting FA Cup tie seen anywhere this season in my opinion. Amad Diallo dramatically scored the 120th minute decider on the breakaway via a low angled drive to deny quadruple dreams for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
FA Cup Semi-Final record: United have played in the Semi-Finals more times than any other team. Of 31 involvements, they’ve won 21 and lost 10. 
FA Cup Final record: United hold the joint record alongside Arsenal for reaching 21 FA Cup Finals. The Red Devils won 12 of those with nine defeats. They are the present FA Cup runners-up having lost 2-1 to Manchester City in last year’s Final.

Score prediction: Cov provide the shock 1-0 defying FA Cup odds.

Free FA Cup Predictions Today

The FA Cup is the oldest and most prestigious competition in world football, with millions of fans around the world tuning in each year to see which team lifts the famous trophy.

Punters can find the latest FA Cup betting odds ahead of each round here at 888sport – and the outright winner market will change drastically throughout the tournament.

One of the main reasons for that is due to the uncertainty of the FA Cup draw. As is the case with all cup competitions, the draw has a major impact on results.

From the best FA Cup facts to the competition's greatest moments, this tournament has a unique affinity with football supporters across the land. While greater emphasis is now placed on Europe, the FA Cup remains one of the top targets for the biggest clubs in England.

FA Cup Betting Tips

The ‘David vs Goliath’ nature of the FA Cup is what grips viewers and we’ve seen many ‘cupsets’ over the years, none bigger than Hereford United’s victory over Newcastle United in 1972.

FA Cup predictions can be made at any stage of the season, with the general outlook of the competition changing with each round and FA Cup result.

Find the latest FA Cup draw, fixtures and results information on the 888sport website ahead of each round. Every match is vital in the race to reach Wembley Stadium.

The FA Cup is one of the competitions that every supporter wants to win. While the magic of the cup has waned in recent times, it is still important to football fans across the country.

FA Cup Round Predictions

Punters can find the best FA Cup betting tips and odds here at 888sport throughout the competition. Who will be celebrating at Wembley Stadium in May? Only time will tell...

Our football betting experts are here with the best FA Cup tips for today. With the likes of Manchester United, Liverpool and Arsenal prominent in FA Cup betting, the top Premier League clubs are in the mix for success.

While the FA Cup can throw up the odd sports betting shock, FA Cup predictions are often more straightforward than Premier League predictions. Find the best free FA Cup tips here today.

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

*Odds correct at the time of writing - subject to change*