Who Will Win the FA Cup This Season?

The FA Cup, one of the world’s most prestigious and celebrated football competitions, is back with another thrilling season. Since its inception in 1871, this historic tournament has seen teams across all levels of the English football pyramid battle it out for the coveted trophy. 

Part of its charm is that it allows every team to dream of FA Cup glory, from non-league sides to Premier League giants. With the 2024/2025 season underway, for now, it’s still a mystery as to who will lift the FA Cup this year.

As the season progresses and takes shape, unsurprisingly, three clear favourites have emerged. Current odds for the cup place Man City as favourites at 7/2, with Arsenal and Liverpool trailing close behind with odds of 7/1 and 9/1 respectively. For those looking to place bets on the potential winner, trends in online sports betting have seen some major shifts in recent years. 

The ever-tightening regulations placed on these sites by the UK Gambling Commission have left many punters feeling stifled as the mandatory nature of programs like GamStop has created a restrictive regulatory regime. This has led many avid football punters to turn to UK betting sites not under GamStop. These sites aren’t licensed locally and are not subject to UKGC regulations as a result. 

However, according to sports betting expert Roland Arum, those that have been professionally reviewed can still be trusted and are secure since they’re licensed internationally. These sites are also drawing many UK punters as they offer perks like faster registrations, more betting options, and a wider range of payment options that cater to a more private experience. 

Regardless of how this season’s cup eventually turns out, a few names are firmly in the mix as potential winners already. As the undisputed best team of the last decade, Manchester City has set the standard for excellence in recent seasons. With Pep Guardiola at the helm, the team is known for their tactical brilliance and dominance across competitions. 

As finalists last season after Man United pulled off an unlikely win, City still added another Premier League to their trophy cabinet. With players like Erling Haaland, Kevin De Bruyne, and Phil Foden in their ranks, City has the firepower to dismantle any opposition. Their relentless pursuit of success makes them the frontrunners yet again this season.

On the other hand, with new coach Arne Slot off to a terrific start, Liverpool remains one of the most formidable teams in Europe. Their passionate fanbase, often called the 12th man, provides a unique atmosphere that can turn the tide in key matches. 

While Liverpool has focused heavily on their Premier League and Champions League campaigns in recent years, they remain a team with a rich FA Cup history. With attacking stars like Mohamed Salah and Darwin Núñez and the midfield dynamism of Ryan Gravenberch who has been superb lately, Liverpool will surely be eyeing an FA Cup win among their other ambitions for the season. 

As for the Gunners, they hold the record for the most FA Cup wins (14 titles), and under Mikel Arteta, have begun to show signs of a resurgence. With a young, energetic squad featuring talents like Bukayo Saka and some great new players with the likes of Riccardo Calafiori now bolstering their squad, Arsenal has the potential to make a deep run in this year’s competition. 

Their style of play, marked by quick transitions and aggressive pressing, makes them a formidable opponent for any team. While they’ve had mixed results in the league, the FA Cup provides an excellent opportunity to further their progress under Arteta and secure silverware.

Despite their recent transition period, Chelsea remains a force to be reckoned with as they are still adapting to Enzo Maresca’s style. Nevertheless, the team has started clicking in recent weeks. Chelsea has always performed well in cup competitions, and have a massive pool of talent to choose from with Cole Palmer already firing on all cylinders this season. 

They may not be among the top favourites this year, but their experience and tactical discipline make them dangerous. Chelsea often thrives as underdogs, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see them in contention for the trophy.

Beyond the big names, the FA Cup has always been known for its unpredictability. Each season, lesser-fancied teams go on remarkable cup runs, defying the odds and taking down some of the Premier League’s elite. Here are a few potential dark horses for this season’s tournament.

Spurs haven’t won the FA Cup since 1991, but with Ange Postecoglou leading the team, there’s a sense of a rebuild in progress. The Australian coach has brought a fresh attacking philosophy to Tottenham, and players like Heung-Min Son and James Maddison seem to thrive in this new system. 

While their league form has been inconsistent over the past few years, the FA Cup offers a chance for Tottenham to end their long trophy drought. With the quality in their squad and a newfound sense of purpose, they could be a surprise contender this season.

Manchester United is synonymous with success in English football, and despite a few challenging seasons, the FA Cup remains a competition where they have a rich history. As the defending champions, they certainly can’t be counted out despite struggling a lot at the moment.  

No matter the current form, the squad still boasts talented players such as Marcus Rashford and Bruno Fernandes who can be world-class on their day. United’s rise to the occasion in cup competitions cannot be underestimated. They could make a serious bid for the trophy if they can find consistency and rediscover their attacking rhythm.

As we wait to see how it turns out, what truly sets the FA Cup apart from other competitions is its unpredictability and inclusivity. As the season moves forward, this year will hopefully see another classic come May next year.