Fast approaching its centenary, La Liga has long showcased some of the greatest midfielders to ever luminate a centre-circle.

Architects and geniuses all, these elite talents had the rare ability to alter La Liga odds with a throughball only they could see, and only they could execute.

They had magic in their boots and vision gifted from a generous deity. They reminded those fortunate enough to see them in the flesh that football – when perfectly crafted - can transcend the ordinary and take us up close to awe.

Picking out twenty such outstanding practitioners of that craft was easy. Narrowing it down to a top ten of sublime midfielders was difficult in the extreme. 

10) Bernd Schuster

The Blonde Angel knew how good he was and took serious umbrage with anyone who wasn’t of the same opinion. Subsequently, his was a career strewn with fall-outs and controversies. 

Still, on his day there were few better at bossing proceedings, dictating play for Barcelona, Real Madrid and Atletico, making it all look so easy until inevitably his relationship with another manager became strained. 

The West German international arrived in Catalunya as a young player, spending eight seasons with Barca, and picking up a La Liga title along the way. He then won consecutive La Liga crowns with Real Madrid before swapping the Bernabeu for the Vicente Calderón.

Schuster notched a trio of top three Ballon d’Or finishes while in Spain and was twice named La Liga’s best foreign player.

9) Luka Modric

The chief conductor of four Champions League triumphs for Real Madrid, Modric is a Ballon d’Or winner, two-time La Liga champion and was included in the FIFPro World XI in five straight years.

This is a player who made the greats greater, all the while knitting together passages of play, doing so with a passing range that was unsurpassed. 

The truly exceptional creators do not simply find a team-mate in space and play it to feet. They vary the angle and pace of a delivery to better facilitate what that player does next. 

In the 21st century, there has been no better example of this skill-set than the brilliant Croatian.   

8) Josep Samitier 

A pre-war giant of Spanish football, Samitier is credited with essentially inventing the box-to-box role that is so commonplace today.

He started attacks and invariably finished them, scoring a remarkable 333 goals in 454 appearances for Barcelona. Only Paulino Alcantara and Lionel Messi can better that for the Blaugrana.

A couple of seasons at Madrid CF saw out a career that spanned two decades and so highly regarded was the man who later managed Atletico and Barca, he was afforded a state funeral on passing at the age of 70 in 1972.

Rather wonderfully, he was nicknamed ‘The Surrealist’. 

7) Xabi Alonso 

It’s a safe football bet that Alonso is destined for great things as a manager, presently guiding Bayer Leverkusen to an entirely unexpected German title. 

What is interesting is that so many of the attributes on display as a coach were used to good effect as a player, first for Real Sociedad, then later for Real Madrid, with a successful spell for Liverpool in between.

Namely that comes down to class and intelligence, Alonso a master at making the right choices in possession, picking out the most impactful pass. 

In his pomp at the Bernebau it was a treat to see him run the show, unquestionably one of the finest deep-lying playmakers the game has ever produced. 

6) Pep Guardiola

Before Pep Guardiola managed Barcelona to absolute dominance and reinvented football for the better, he was integral on the field during Johan Cruyff’s Dream Team supremacy.

Guardiola was often the deepest midfielder in Cruyff’s all-conquering Barca teams, which won four league titles and the Champions League.

Without physical advantages, the future Manchester City boss relied on high-level anticipation and technical ability.

He could read the game better than anyone, snuffing out opposition attacks and picking pinpoint passes.

5) Sergio Busquets

It became cliché to say Sergio Busquets was underrated. Perhaps he isn’t any longer, but the Spanish holding midfielder was long overlooked in the brilliant Barcelona teams overseen by Pep Guardiola and Luis Enrique.

Busquets is an eight-time La Liga winner and three-time Champions League winner.

Without crunching interventions often associated with defensive midfielders, Busquets’ interceptions, tackles and timely fouls were the safety blanket for those silverware-collecting Barca sides.

For several years running football predictions focused on who might come second to this extraordinary and extravagant Catalonian juggernaut. Busquets was an integral part of such dominance. The man at the wheel. 

4) Zinedine Zidane

It took a world record fee of €77.5m to lure the French magician to Madrid from Juventus, and though Zizou only made 155 La Liga appearances, and won a solitary title, let’s not get hung up on quantity, or lack of. 

The football that Zidane produced across four-and-a-half years in Spain was of a standard rarely witnessed.

There were tricks, flicks, and balls plucked for the sky, landing as if on a goose-feathered pillow and not on a size 11 Adidas boot. There were shimmering, mazy dribbles and nonchalant movement that made opposition players look downright silly. 

The World Cup winner was nothing but a joy and that’s before we get to his magnificent Champions League final goal. 

3) Luis Suarez

No, not that one. 

The Uruguayan’s namesake was also his superior, an elegant Ballon d’Or winner, who orchestrated two league titles from the heart of Barcelona’s midfield in the late-Fifties.

Blessed with an eye for goal – 141 from 253 outings is an incredible return for a player who often sat deep and pulled the strings – Suarez also played a key role in Spain winning an early incarnation of the Euros in 1964. 

By then he had moved to Inter for a world record transfer fee. 

2) Xavi

Xavi was an important player for Barcelona in the early years of his career, but it was under Pep Guardiola that he discovered a whole other level of excellence.

The La Masia graduate was Barcelona’s heartbeat through the late-2000s and early-2010s; he found space, he recycled possession, and kept Guardiola’s formidable machine running smoothly.

A collection of Champions League and La Liga medals is only part of Xavi’s legacy. Just as Guardiola was the successor to Johan Cruyff, Xavi’s play was the embodiment of 21st century Barcelona.

Winner of World Soccer Player of the Year in 2010 and five times included in UEFA Team of the Year, Xavi’s CV can only be rivalled by a handful of midfielders over the last three decades.

1) Andres Iniesta

Statistics cannot do Andres Iniesta justice. The Spaniard was neither a prolific goal scorer nor assister, yet he’s unquestionably one of the greatest players to ever grace a pitch.

A graduate of La Masia, Iniesta was utilised in various roles at Barcelona but his best football came as the most attacking in a midfield three, with his threaded passes and mazy dribbling leaving defences bamboozled.

Indeed, on occasion you suspected there was another Iniesta, high in the stands, controlling his alter ego. So unerring was his appreciation of where every team-mate was positioned. 

For season after season our La Liga tips backed Barca to be sensational and that was largely because of their sensational trio of Xavi, Messi and Iniesta. All diminutive. Each of them other-worldly.

We will never again see their like. Opposition players will never want to.

---

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Once viewed as a position to blood youngsters, or switch across bruising centre-halves to afford them game-time, full-backs have become a pivotal part of the modern game, arguably as important as any other role.

These ten have elevated right-backing into an art-form. 

10 - Matty Cash

An integral member of Unai Emery's Aston Villa, Matty Cash has been a reliable performer for the Villains in recent years. He started seven of their Champions League matches in 2024-25. 

While effective on the overlap, Cash isn't the most attack-oriented among the best Premier League full-backs. He is, however, a very solid defensive player.

9 - Diogo Dalot

It was a toss-up whether Diogo Dalot should be classed as a left-back or right-back for this exercise. His time in 2024-25 has been split evenly between each side of Manchester United's defence, including prolonged spells at wing-back.

As an attack-first full-back, though, Dalot being right-footed means he is generally more comfortable on the right side. At his best, he fearlessly attacks down the wing and has the space to stretch opposing defences. 

8 - Pedro Porro 

Tottenham might have underwhelmed in 2024-25, but Pedro Porro has remained one of the league's better right-backs, even with the Lilywhites seeing their Premier League odds for relegation shorten significantly.

Porro possesses a particularly impressive statistical profile. His attacking metrics are unsurprisingly among the best in world football, but his energetic style of play also means he registers plenty of blocks and tackles. 

7 - Aaron Wan-Bissaka

Discarded by Manchester United due to his limited attacking skillset, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has evolved into an effective forward-thinking right-back with West Ham.

The former Palace man is in the 97th percentile among all full-backs in successful take-ons per 90 minutes. 

6 - Daniel Munoz

Only three Crystal Palace players have more Premier League goals than Daniel Munoz in 2024-25. The Colombian international has nailed down the right wing-back spot for the Eagles and registered the assist for the winning goal in the FA Cup final.

Boasting a great engine and speed, Munoz is always an option on the right flank, as illustrated by receiving 5.88 progressive passes per 90. 

5 - Tino Livramento

Once an outsider in Premier League football betting outright markets, Newcastle's odds have shorten considerably over the years. Part of the reason for that change is shrewd signings like Tino Livramento. 

Like Dalot, Livramento is comfortable on the left as well as the right. He has primarily been a right-back for the Magpies this season, however, providing impactful performances at both ends of the pitch. He's in the 82nd percentile in progressive passes and progressive carries, while playing a key role in a stout Newcastle back line. 

4 - Jurrien Timber

Jurrien Timber battled through injury issues to play 43 matches across the Premier League and Champions League in 2024-25. The Dutchman is set to undergo offseason ankle surgery in the hope of being available for preseason.

Equally comfortable as a central defender, Timber isn't as attack-minded as many of his right-back peers. He's more likely to tuck into midfield than get to the byline, as reflected in his high pass completion and progressive passing numbers. 

3 - Reece James

The oft-injured Chelsea star would be top of these rankings if he was available every week. Reece James is a Rolls Royce of a footballer, an immense athlete with supreme technical ability. 

At times utilised in a back three or central midfield, James plays the majority of his minutes at right-back. He's capable of becalming the world's best forwards, while having the on-ball skills to pick apart an opposing defence. 

2 - Ola Aina

A stalwart in Nottingham Forest's remarkable 2024-25 season, Ola Aina deserved to climb these rankings. Aina might not be the flashiest of right-backs in the Premier League, but he's solid defensively and provides an outlet in attack. 

Forest wouldn't have been anywhere near as successful without Aina's reliability. 

1 - Trent Alexander-Arnold 

Trent Alexander-Arnold has the most assists of any defender in Premier League history. He was so transformative in possession that Liverpool's attack has been built around a right-back as their main creative force, leading to an unparalleled partnership with Mohamed Salah. 

The 2024-25 season ended in Alexander-Arnold's second title at his boyhood club and a free transfer to Real Madrid. His legacy at Anfield has been irreparably damaged, but that doesn't stop him being the best Premier League right-back. 

---

*Credit for all of the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

Probably due to horse racing’s close association with gambling and horse racing odds in general, you often find that its presenters/pundits are either loved or loathed by the viewing public as a whole.

Best Horse Racing Pundits:

• Ruby Walsh

• Katherine Ford

• Stephen Power

• Gary O'Brien

• Rishi Persad

Here are FIVE pundits that we at 888sport believe are worth a listen:

RUBY WALSH

When it comes to National Hunt analysis, Ruby Walsh comes second to none.

After riding 2,756 career winners (59 at the Cheltenham Festival) Ruby now fills his time with a host of media commitments including punditry for Racing TV, the Irish broadcaster RTE and several other outlets. 

Never a fence sitter, Walsh may not have ridden as many winners as his horse racing counterpart Sir AP McCoy, but he certainly beats him on the mic and Ruby Walsh net worth estimates have him rivalling his old foe too.

KATHERINE FORD

Katherine Ford moved to France in 2001 for a three-year stint in the Paris office of the International Racing Bureau.

From there she joined French racing channel Equidia and now heads their international department, a role that took her to some of the world’s more exotic racecourses.

Katherine is now based in Luzarches, France and is currently an on-track reporter at Sky Sports Racing, bringing experience from her previous roles at PMU/Equidia and International Racing Bureau to our screens.

English viewers find her very relatable as she speaks French very well but with a slight Yorkshire tinge.

STEPHEN POWER

Stephen Power – aka the Racing Blogger, is definitely a marmite character when it comes to the world of horseracing punditry.

Having risen from total obscurity to gracing the pages of the Racing Post and amassing several thousand “X” followers due to his content, Stephen carries on undaunted and literally gets where water can’t when it comes to global horse racing meetings.

Stephen’s online profile reads “creator of the best digital media content horseracing has ever seen” and despite having never written a horse racing blog in his life, his interviews with racing greats such as Aidan O’Brien, Willie Mullins, Andre Fabre, have been an unqualified success.

GARY O’BRIEN

Anything you want to know about Irish Horseracing, Gary O’Brien is the man to consult.

O'Brien is a broadcaster and racecourse commentator who, in January 2019, was appointed lead presenter in Ireland for Racing TV.

Gary started out with Irish Racing Services before coming over to the UK to take up a voiceover role with SIS in 2002.

He was part of Attheraces’ on-course team from 2004-2018 and during that time was dubbed "the voice of Ireland".

RISHI PERSAD

Rishi began his racing broadcasting career in 2002 when Attheraces was first launched.

Since then he was worked for Racing TV, Channel 4, and the BBC in a racing capacity and has covered a whole host of events including The Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, The Grand National, Cheltenham Festival, Derby Festival and Royal Ascot.

The Olympics, Commonwealth Games, tennis, bowls, cricket and golf, Rishi has turned his hand to presenting them all. He’s a great all-rounder.

---

Other Famous Horse Racing Pundits:

• Nick Luck

• John McCririck

• Lydia Hislop

• Laurent Barbarin

• Angus Loughran

• Leonna Mayor

• Mick Fitzgerald

• Derek Thompson

Of course it’s all unwarranted criticism at the end of the day when all these people are trying to do is go about their daily profession. A little bit more respect for them wouldn’t go amiss.

Here are some of our favourite horse racing presenters/pundits, both past and present:

---

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

Here at the 888sport horse racing blog we have compiled a list of ten horses of varying ages, which we believe will be winning at some point or another during the 2024 Flat season.

You may want to pop these in your horse racing trackers for convenience.

AL MISBAR (Charlie Appleby)

Team Godolphin will be hopeful this bay colt will be able to emulate what his father Blue Point was able to achieve on the track.

The sire is already making his mark on the breeding scene with Group 1 winners coming last season in the shape of Big Evs and Rosallion, who took home the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint at Santa Anita last November and the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere at Longchamp’s Arc meeting.

He should make up into a Group performer this season.

ELNAJMM (William Haggas)

This well bred four-year-old has done very little wrong in his career to date and William Haggas has a nice horse to go to the big handicaps with.

He will be competitive over a mile to ten furlongs, however based on his pedigree he holds the potential to step up to a mile-and-a-half in time.

EMBESTO (Roger Varian)

Embesto finished off last season with a very credible fourth in the Prix Daniel Wildenstein at Longchamp finishing just two-and-a-half lengths behind the winner.

There’s plenty more to come from this son of Roaring Lion and the rather shrewd Roger Varian will plot him along nicely to unleash his potential.

FALLEN ANGEL (Karl Burke)

Karl Burke issued a positive bulletin surrounding Moyglare Stud Stakes heroine Fallen Angel just before the season started.

She is no bigger than 8-1 in our horse racing odds for the 1,000 Guineas and will make her seasonal reappearance in the Classic itself.

GOD’S WINDOW (John & Thady Gosden)

Winner of a Doncaster maiden, God’s Window then went on to finished third in the Kameko Futurity, just two lengths behind Ancient Wisdom and a head behind the second.

Being out of a Nathaniel mare he should develop into a top class middle-distance three-year-old.

ISLANDSINTHESTREAM (Joseph O’Brien)

Joseph O’Brien’s runner ended his last campaign with a second in the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud, beaten just a neck by Los Angeles.

Prior to that he won a decent sales race at Longchamp in smart fashion His most recent effort came in the Group 1 National Stakes at the Curragh. Watch out for him as a St Leger hopeful this year.

NASHWA (John & Thady Gosden)

Nashwa hosed up in the Falmouth Stakes last year to gain her third win at the very top level. She also placed in the Nassau Stakes, Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes.

Her owner keeps her in training for 2024 and she will be contesting all the top one mile and ten furlong races this season.

ROSALLION (Richard Hannon)

Rosallion could prove to be one of the top three-year-old milers this season with the St James’ Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot being one of the main targets.

A storming victory in the in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere proved he will be a force to be reckoned with this term.

TASK FORCE (Ralph Beckett)

Finished second behind the brilliant Vandeek in the Middle Park Stakes and could well go for the 2000 Guineas this term.

Has the potential to be one of the best three-year-olds around if things go to plan.

YLANG YLANG (Aidan O’Brien)

The 1000 Guineas will be the first port of call, which should then set her up nicely for the Oaks.

There is plenty of stamina in the dam-side of the pedigree to suggest she will cope adequately at distance races in time.

Check out all our latest Grand National odds here!

---

*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

• Which player has been sent off the most times in Champions League history?

• Three players are tied with four Champions League red cards

• Juventus players have received 28 Champions League red cards – more than any other club

---

Red cards in football are always a dramatic event. That intensifies ten-fold when it occurs in the Champions League.

The biggest and most prestigious club tournament is designed to showcase the very best talent around but even at this elite level players can sometimes lose their heads and lash out.

They see the trailing ankle of an opponent who is clean through on goal and, in a moment of madness, listen to their inner demon. 

When it comes to ill-discipline there is really only a sliver of difference between Real Madrid v Bayern Munich and the Red Lion versus the Dog and Duck, played out on a quagmire of a pitch.

A safe football prediction therefore is that more Champions League dismissals await us between now and the end of this season. 

Should that fate befall Bayern it will put the German giants just one sending off behind the competition’s worst miscreants, that being Juventus.

Since the Champions League was formed in 1992/92, the Old Lady has seen red on 28 occasions which equates to 0.9 per season. It’s perhaps little wonder then that Juve have only lifted the famous jug-eared trophy the once.

As for players, it will come as precisely no surprise to learn that Sergio Ramos tops the tournament’s hall of shame, level-pegging with two other behemoths of world football.

The ruthless defender was presumably booked for being born.

So let’s get to it, as we highlight – without judgement – the teams and players who have most often seen the red mist, followed by a red card, in the Champions League. 

Players With Most Champions League Red Cards

Three players have been sent for an early bath on four occasions in the competition, one of whom has already been identified. 

Across two illustrious decades Sergio Ramos was considered by many to be the best centre-back and leader of his generation. A pivotal presence for Real Madrid, he led Los Blancos to a remarkable four Champions League triumphs and five La Liga titles. 

Yet along with the silverware there was always a distinct edge to Ramos’ style of defending, and that’s putting it mildly, making the non-nonsense stopper a favourite in the betting markets to not last the full duration of a game. A career total of 28 red cards justified that bet many times over.

Edgar Davids is another to see red four times in the competition. Nicknamed ‘The Pitbull’ the midfielder’s combative approach meant it was inevitable some challenges would awry, depriving Juventus several times of their outstanding star on the biggest of all stages.

And last but by no means least, there is Zlatan Ibrahimovic, a player who did everything by extremes. No doubt our Champions League betting offers back in the Swede’s prime focused on the extravagantly gifted forward either scoring a worldie or getting sent off. 

Run-of-the-mill was not a term Zlatan recognized. 

Just bubbling beneath this trio are 13 players who have been dismissed three times and from this group there are only two who are still playing their trade at the highest level presently.

There is still time for Atletico Madrid’s Stefan Savic and Dortmund’s Emre Can to join a very select shortlist alongside three of the greatest ever exponents of European football. 

Sergio Ramos Red Cards

It is not exactly a huge shock to see Ramos feature on this Champions League red cards list. Showcasing his long-standing dedication to the dark arts, these dismissals all took place over 15 seasons.

• 28th September 2005: Olympiacos 1-2 Real Madrid

• 23rd November 2010: Ajax 0-4 Real Madrid

• 27th November 2013: Real Madrid 4-1 Galatasaray

• 26th February 2020: Real Madrid 1-2 Manchester City

Edgar Davids Red Cards

Dominating midfield battles for the likes of Ajax, Inter Milan, AC Milan and Juventus it is notable that all of Davids’ red cards were made up of two yellows.

Each time the Pitbull bit, then bit again. 

• 24th October 2000: Juventus 1-3 Hamburger SV

• 18th September 2001: Juventus 3-2 Celtic

• 27th February 2002: Deportivo La Coruna 2-0 Juventus

• 22nd April 2003: Barcelona 1-2 Juventus

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Red Cards

It is odd to acknowledge that one of the finest players to grace the modern game hung up his boots in 2023 having never won a Champions League honour.

He still managed to leave his mark on the tournament however, as well as Oscar’s calf at Stamford Bridge in 2015. The Swedish legend’s late challenge left the Chelsea midfielder writhing in agony. 

• 2nd November 2005: Juventus 2-1 Bayern Munich

• 27th September 2006: Inter 0-2 Bayern Munich

• 12th February 2013: Valencia 1-2 Paris Saint-Germain

• 11th March 2015: Chelsea 2-2 Paris Saint-Germain

Which Teams Have Received The Most Red Cards In Champions League?

With the likes of Juventus, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich competing in Europe’s elite club tournament almost every year, it’s almost inevitable to see these teams appear on this list.

What excuse then for Arsenal, who are only a few reds shy despite not participating on 12 occasions. 

Another English giant, Manchester United, is prominent too and it surprises that only one of their 19 is attributed to Roy Keane. 

But it’s Juventus who lead the way, the most ill-disciplined team in Champions League history with a record 28 red cards. Far too often a combination of a brutish back-line and an industrial midfield has resulted in their trademark catenaccio going wrong. 

Here, you can see the Champions League clubs who have had the most sending offs in the competition’s history.

• Olympiacos - 18

• Galatasaray - 18

• PSV – 18

• Atletico Madrid – 18

• Dinamo Zagreb – 18

• Dynamo Kyiv – 18

• Manchester United - 19

• Benfica - 20

• Arsenal – 20

• Inter – 23

• Real Madrid - 24

• Porto – 26

• Bayern Munich - 26

• Juventus – 28

---

*Credit for the photos in this article belongs to Alamy*

The FA Cup is one of the premier football betting competitions. From the qualification rounds through to Wembley, the FA Cup has been home to all-time surprises and some epic encounters.

It’s a notoriously difficult competition to forecast. Upsets are the fabric of FA Cup betting.

Whether a Championship team falling to non-league opponents or one of the competition favourites getting toppled by a struggling League One side, there are FA Cup upsets every single year.

Some will go down in history, creating heroes as teams make an against-the-odds run into the latter rounds.

It’s a competition with more history than any other. The trophy is as recognisable as they come. Here’s a run through of some FA Cup trophy history, records and a winners’ list.

When Was FA Cup First Awarded?

The first FA Cup was awarded in 1872. Early years of the competition were dominated by names unfamiliar to those regularly scouring football prediction tips in the 21st century.

The English Football League wasn’t formed until over a decade after the FA Cup started – the Football League was founded in 1888.

It is the oldest cup competition in world football. The FA Cup has been contested in every year since 1872 apart from the during First and Second World Wars.

It has been tweaked. The use of replays has been altered throughout. Various venues have hosted the finals, with the Kennington Oval being used for the majority of finals in the first couple of decades.

Wembley has been the FA Cup final’s home in recent decades, but the Millennium Stadium took over while the new stadium was being built in HA9.

FA Cup Trophy Design

The FA Cup is made of Sterling silver, and the most recent edition was produced by Thomas Lyte. This was first presented in 2014 and took over 250 hours of craft.

The first FA Cup was passed between the winners for 20 years. This cost £20 to make in the late 19th century, but while in the hands of Aston Villa, it was stolen and never seen again.

A replica of this original trophy was made. This was in use for the next 15 years until a new piece of silverware was designed in 1911.

This trophy, designed by a jeweller from Bradford, is familiar to all football fans. It remained in use until the early 1990s. At which point, the FA decided it was time to protect the 1911 trophy and commissioned a replica.

The next version only lasted just over two decades. Natural wear and tear from celebrations had taken its toll, and the FA made the trophy we have seen the FA Cup winners lift in recent seasons.

Thomas Lyte made a heftier iteration of the 1911 trophy. This silverware is heavier, and generally thought to be more durable to cope with the increased workload it goes through with fans allowed to lift it as it gets toured around the country.

Crucially, the FA Cup design has not altered in over a century. The shape is distinctive, the handles on either side are almost identical to those on the trophy created in Bradford before the First World War.

FA Cup Trophy Size

All year long, football fans are making FA Cup predictions, dreaming of seeing their club lift the famous trophy. While iconic, it’s not the most eye-catching silverware in sport.

The FA Cup stands at 61.5 centimetres. This is considerably smaller than the Premier League trophy, which is over a metre tall and about the same width as the FA Cup is high.

It’s not as large as other hardware, and at 6.3 kilograms, it is considerably lighter, too. The Champions League trophy is 7.5 kilograms, while the Premier League trophy is over 20 kilograms.

Most FA Cup Trophy Wins

Arsenal have won the FA Cup 14 times. They are the most successful team in FA Cup history. Seven of these triumphs have come since the turn of the century, also making them the most successful FA Cup team over the last two decades. 

The Gunners first won the competition way back in 1930. That was their second final, and they have appeared in another 19 since then (also a record).

Manchester United are their closest rivals to be considered FA Cup kings, having lifted the trophy 12 times. Plenty of football fans will have seen the Red Devils lift the FA Cup trophy over the years...

Despite being the dominant force in English football throughout the Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United did not enjoy the same success as Arsenal have done in the FA Cup.

They have lost three FA Cup finals since the turn of the century, the most recent being to Chelsea in 2018.

Across the 150 years of the FA Cup, 23 clubs have won the competition more than once. Only three teams have won the FA Cup three seasons in a row, and both of those clubs did so before the start of the 20th century.

Unsurprisingly, Arsenal dominate the FA Cup records throughout. They are tied with Manchester United for most seasons winning the FA Cup and the league title (three each).

Arsene Wenger is the most decorated manager in the history of the competition, winning it seven times. The Arsenal legend is a topic of debate in chatrooms - could he be the greatest manager to take charge in the Premier League?

No player has enjoyed more FA Cup success than Ashley Cole. The former England international has seven FA Cup winners’ medals, three with Arsenal, four with Chelsea.

FA CUP MILESTONES

First FA Cup Final

The inaugural FA Cup Final took place on 16th March 1872. Wanderers edged Royal Engineers 1-0 attracting a humble attendance of 2,000 at Kennington Oval in London. Morton Betts netted the decisive goal after 15 minutes.

Wanderers went on to lift the national Cup five times across the opening seven seasons. Their unique kit was variously described embracing three repeating hoops of black or grey, then pink, cerise or violet and yellow, orange or gold.

Alas, the team swiftly faded into oblivion due to a lack of players and eventually folded in 1887.

However, Wanderers were relaunched in 2009 and now compete in the Surrey South Eastern Combination Junior Division Two. They possess two Saturday men’s teams, a Sunday side and a women’s team based at the Griffin Sports Ground in West Dulwich.

Modern day club secretary Mark Wilson represented Wanderers at the 150th anniversary FA Cup Final in 2022 and carried the iconic trophy out on to Wembley Stadium’s pitch ahead of kick-off.

First FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium

Bolton Wanderers defeated West Ham United 2-0 in the first FA Cup Final to be staged at newly built Wembley Stadium on 28th April 1923.

The official attendance was 126,047. Yet the actual figure was reputed to be anywhere spanning 150,000 to 300,000 with thousands of people spilling on to the pitch from overcrowded terraces.

Mounted policemen, including one famously on a white horse, were deployed to clear the playing surface. It therefore became known as the “White Horse Final” in football folklore.

Best FA Cup Final Goal

I was fortunate enough to be present at Wembley Stadium witnessing this in person! It illuminated the FA Cup Final Replay between Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester City on 14th May 1981.

I stood amidst the huge semi-circular terrace behind one goal. Spurs won 3-2 whereby their truly immortal winner arrived on 76 minutes.

Argentina international Ricky Villa dribbled around four flailing defenders before shooting crisply under goalkeeper Joe Corrigan. It was later voted Wembley’s ‘Goal of the Century’ and I wouldn’t dispute that.

First FA Cup Final Red Card

Everton versus Manchester United was another FA Cup Final I attended on 18th May 1985. In the 78th minute, Everton midfield dynamo Peter Reid ran forward and was upended once he prodded the ball past last defender Kevin Moran.

In consequence, Moran became the first player ever to be sent-off in an FA Cup Final. Nevertheless, Norman Whiteside curled home in extra-time to secure 10 man United’s 1-0 triumph.

First Penalty Save In An FA Cup Final

Funnily enough, I was also inside Wembley for the first ever FA Cup Final penalty save. An outstanding occasion featured Liverpool facing underdogs Wimbledon on 14th May 1988.

Lawrie Sanchez had already given the Dons a shock first half lead courtesy of a looping header when they conceded the spot kick on 60 minutes.

A correct decision because Clive Goodyear slid along and tripped John Aldridge racing into the box. Aldridge dusted himself down to take the penalty but goalkeeper Dave Beasant dived full length to his left clawing the ball away.

Wimbledon subsequently held on for a momentous 1-0 victory. BBC1 commentator John Motson superbly summed up the drama at full-time by saying: “The Crazy Gang have beaten the Culture Club!”

Fastest FA Cup Final Goal

The fastest goal in FA Cup Final history was registered by Ilkay Gundogan for Manchester City versus Manchester United after only 12 seconds on 3rd June 2023.

Following muscular Erling Haaland aerial approach play, Gundogan magnificently struck a quicksilver 25 yard volley rising into the right hand corner.

City proceeded to win 2-1. Gundogan supplied their second goal too six minutes beyond half-time.

FA Cup Winners List:

• 1872 – Wanderers

• 1873 – Wanderers

• 1874 – Oxford University

• 1875 – Royal Engineers

• 1876 – Wanderers

• 1877 – Wanderers

• 1878 – Wanderers

• 1879 – Old Etonians

• 1880 – Clapham Rovers

• 1881 – Old Carthusians

• 1882 – Old Etonians

• 1883 – Blackburn Olympic

• 1884 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1885 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1886 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1887 – Aston Villa

• 1888 – West Bromwich Albion

• 1889 – Preston North End

• 1890 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1891 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1892 – West Bromwich Albion

• 1893 – Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 1894 – Notts County

• 1895 – Aston Villa

• 1896 – The Wednesday

• 1897 – Aston Villa

• 1898 – Nottingham Forest

• 1899 – Sheffield United

• 1900 – Bury

• 1901 – Tottenham

• 1902 – Sheffield United

• 1903 – Bury

• 1904 – Manchester City

• 1905 – Aston Villa

• 1906 – Everton

• 1907 – The Wednesday

• 1908 – Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 1909 – Manchester United

• 1910 – Newcastle United

• 1911 – Bradford City

• 1912 – Barnsley 

• 1913 – Aston Villa

• 1914 – Burnley

• 1915 – Sheffield United

• 1920 – Aston Villa

• 1921 – Tottenham

• 1922 – Huddersfield Town

• 1923 – Bolton Wanderers

• 1924 – Newcastle United

• 1925 – Sheffield United

• 1926 – Bolton Wanderers

• 1927 – Cardiff City

• 1928 – Blackburn Rovers

• 1929 – Bolton Wanderers

• 1930 – Arsenal

• 1931 – West Bromwich Albion

• 1932 – Newcastle United

• 1933 – Everton

• 1934 – Manchester City

• 1935 – Sheffield Wednesday

• 1936 – Arsenal

• 1937 – Sunderland

• 1938 – Preston North End

• 1939 – Portsmouth

• 1946 – Derby County

• 1947 – Charlton Athletic

• 1948 – Manchester United

• 1949 – Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 1950 – Arsenal

• 1951 – Newcastle United

• 1952 – Newcastle United

• 1953 – Blackpool

• 1954 – West Bromwich Albion

• 1955 – Newcastle United

• 1956 – Manchester City

• 1957 – Aston Villa

• 1958 – Bolton Wanderers

• 1959 – Nottingham Forest

• 1960 – Wolverhampton Wanderers

• 1961 – Tottenham

• 1962 – Tottenham

• 1963 – Manchester United

• 1964 – West Ham

• 1965 – Liverpool

• 1966 – Everton

• 1967 – Tottenham

• 1968 – West Bromwich Albion

• 1969 – Manchester City

• 1970 – Chelsea

• 1971 – Arsenal

• 1972 – Leeds

• 1973 – Sunderland

• 1974 – Liverpool

• 1975 – West Ham United

• 1976 – Southampton

• 1977 – Manchester United

• 1978 – Ipswich Town

• 1979 – Arsenal

• 1980 – West Ham United

• 1981 – Tottenham

• 1982 – Tottenham

• 1983 – Manchester United

• 1984 – Everton

• 1985 – Manchester United

• 1986 – Liverpool

• 1987 – Coventry City

• 1988 – Wimbledon

• 1989 – Liverpool

• 1990 – Manchester United

• 1991 – Tottenham 

• 1992 – Liverpool

• 1993 – Arsenal

• 1994 – Manchester United

• 1995 – Everton

• 1996 – Manchester United

• 1997 – Chelsea

• 1998 – Arsenal

• 1999 – Manchester United

• 2000 – Chelsea

• 2001 – Liverpool

• 2002 – Arsenal

• 2003 – Arsenal

• 2004 – Manchester United

• 2005 – Arsenal

• 2006 – Liverpool

• 2007 – Chelsea

• 2008 – Portsmouth

• 2009 – Chelsea

• 2010 – Chelsea

• 2011 – Manchester City

• 2012 – Chelsea

• 2013 – Wigan Athletic

• 2014 – Arsenal

• 2015 – Arsenal

• 2016 – Manchester United

• 2017 – Arsenal

• 2018 – Chelsea

• 2019 – Manchester City

• 2020 – Arsenal 

• 2021 – Leicester City

• 2022 – Liverpool

• 2023 – Manchester City

---

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*

For music fans around Europe, the Eurovision Song Contest is a massive event.

First held in 1956, it is one of the biggest events of the year and millions of music lovers from across the continent tune in to watch the annual competition.

Betting on Eurovision has become very popular in recent years, with bookmakers offering a range of odds on the famous singing contest.

From backing the outright Eurovision winner to betting on a nation to score no points, odds on the Eurovision Song Contest can be found with most of the top bookmakers. 

Eurovision Betting Guide

Sweden were crowned 2023 Eurovision Song Contest champions after a stunning performance from Loreen.

She was one of the leading contenders in Eurovision odds for 2023 and justified the hype, finishing some 26 points clear of runners up Finland.

Switzerland's Nemo won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2025 with "The Code", which received acclaim from fans and judges alike. 

Attention now turns to 2026 Eurovision betting markets – could we be set for a major shock?

Only time will tell but Eurovision 2026 betting news will be available in the build-up to the event. For now, scroll down for our top Eurovision betting tips and advice.

For the much of cricket’s history, India were unable to compete at the top. They lacked the fast-bowling firepower, their batsmen were skilled, but often overmatched against the best England or Australia had to offer.

By far the most populous cricket nation on the planet, India’s standing in the sport has changed. They are now a perennial online cricket betting favourite in all formats.

Top 10 Greatest Indian Cricketers:

1. Kapil Dev

2. Sunil Gavaskar

3. Sachin Tendulkar

4. Virat Kohli

5. Anil Kumble

6. Rahul Dravid

7. Virender Sehwag 

8. MS Dhoni

9. Javagal Srinath

10. Bishan Bedi

Compiling this group of Indian cricket legends was not easy – there are so many wonderful candidates that missed out. All 10 players were among the best cricket players in the world during their respective careers.

One of these players is still featuring in cricket betting, many of the others have retired in the last decade. Other active players could well work their way onto this list, with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will all be in the top 10 by the time they hang up their boots. 

Famous Indian cricketers are loved in a way that would seem alien to their counterparts in the other major cricketing countries.

---

*Credit for the main photo belongs to Alamy*