The FA Cup has reached its final four with the semi-finals set to take place at Wembley this month, each of the remaining teams dreaming of cup success.
Manchester City and Liverpool will go head-to-head on April 16 as the Premier League’s top two collide in cup competition, before last season’s runners-up, Chelsea, meet Crystal Palace in an all-London affair the following day.
So for those of you who like to follow the latest soccer odds, we look at how the bookmakers assess each teams chances of winning the FA Cup.
Crystal Palace – 14/1
Crystal Palace are the rank outsiders to win the FA Cup this season, with the Eagles up against the Premier League’s top three sides in their bid to win a first ever major trophy.
Palace have twice reached the FA Cup final before, losing to Manchester United in both 1990 and 2016.
Patrick Vieira’s side will start their semi-final clash as rank underdogs, but the Eagles form this season will raise optimism that there can be an upset at Wembley.
Palace thrashed Everton 4-0 in the quarter-finals and have wins over Tottenham, Manchester City and Arsenal already this season in the Premier League, with the industrious youth of their side having won admirers.
Vieira has already performed well above expectations during his debut campaign at Selhurst Park and an FA Cup final appearance would further increase his growing popularity in South London.
Liverpool – 9/4
Liverpool are third favourites to claim the FA Cup this season, with the huge task of beating Manchester City awaiting the Reds in the last four.
Liverpool have never previously gone past the fifth round under Jurgen Klopp, who has often shifted the domestic cups down his list of priorities.
The 7️⃣ year wait is 𝙤𝙫𝙚𝙧 🤩@LFC booked their place in the #EmiratesFACup semi-finals for the first time since 2015, as the Reds' 1-0 win ended a memorable cup run for @NFFC ✨ pic.twitter.com/NRBENwV0xy
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 20, 2022
However, the current squad boasts more depth than ever before and with limited fitness problems at present the Reds are competing on multiple fronts, having already won the Carabao Cup in February.
Liverpool have not won the FA Cup since 2006, but the club’s fans will be hoping for another final to celebrate after a successful trip to Wembley earlier in the campaign.
The seasons of both Liverpool and Manchester City could hinge on their upcoming fixtures, as the rivals go head-to-head in both the Premier League and FA Cup this month.
Chelsea – 2/1
Runners-up in each of the last two seasons, Chelsea will be hoping to make it third time lucky in the FA Cup in 2022.
The west Londoners started finals against Arsenal (2020) and Leicester (2021) as favourites before suffering defeat and Thomas Tuchel will hope his side can right those wrongs this season.
Your @BudweiserUK Goal of the Quarter-Final is a stunner from the wand of @ChelseaFC's Hakim Ziyech 🪄#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/XmpCxWqibn
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) March 24, 2022
Having fallen adrift in the Premier League title race and been beaten 3-1 at home by Real Madrid in the Champions League this week, the FA Cup could represent Chelsea’s last chance of silverware this season as the Blues look to add to their UEFA Super Cup and Club World Cup accolades.
Chelsea will be strong favourites to beat Crystal Palace in the semi-finals and set up a showdown with either Manchester City or Liverpool in May.
Manchester City – 6/4
Manchester City are the 6/4 favourites to win the FA Cup this season, with Pep Guardiola’s side in pursuit of a treble of trophies.
City lead the Premier League title race at present and have a 1-0 advantage over Atletico Madrid in the Champions League’s quarter-finals, as the club look to emulate the achievement of cross-town rivals Manchester United and win a historic treble this season.
Despite their domestic dominance across the past decade, City have won the FA Cup just once in the past ten seasons.
Guardiola’s side are through to the semi-finals for the third consecutive campaign, but have lost to Arsenal and Chelsea on the previous two occasions.
