Who are the favourites to win the FA Cup this season? We take a look…
The FA Cup has reached the fifth round and the competition appears an open one this season, with several big names having already crashed out in early exits.
Will it be a familiar face that lifts the trophy? Or can an outsider triumph at Wembley? These are the questions gamblers will be asking themselves.
Here are the five favourites to win the 2022/23 FA Cup.
West Ham – 20/1
West Ham have put their disappointing league form aside in cup competition this season, beating Brentford and Derby to reach the fifth round stage.
David Moyes has discussed his desire to win the FA Cup and land elusive silverware, as West Ham chase a first major trophy since last winning this competition in 1980.
The link-up ????@_JarrodBowen @WestHam #EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/pH4LwK0eT6
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 30, 2023
“I’d love to take West Ham to a final, if possible,” Moyes said after goals from Jarrod Bowen and Michail Antonio saw off Derby in round four. “Whether it be in Europe, be at Wembley, one or the other would be great.”
If the Hammers can rediscover some of their form from last season – in which the club reached the Europa League semi-finals – then few will fancy facing Moyes’ side this season. However, an away test at Manchester United awaits in the fifth round.
Brighton – 7/1
Brighton are fourth favourites to win the FA Cup this season as the Seagulls’ impressive side chase a first ever major honour.
Brighton are one of the biggest clubs in English football to have never won a major trophy, but are among the most well-oiled teams in the Premier League right now and getting better and better under Roberto De Zerbi.
OH. MY. WORD.@kaoru_mitoma with a late stunner for @OfficialBHAFC ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/R6bfaXSGVW
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 29, 2023
Manchester United, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool (twice) have all been beaten across all competitions this season, with Brighton coming from behind to beat the latter in the FA Cup’s fourth round.
The Seagulls face Championship opposition in Stoke next and will be confident of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time since making the last four in 2018/19. Having kept hold of Moises Caicedo, and with the likes of Kaoru Mitoma and Alexis Mac Allister firing, Brighton have the talent to trouble any side in the tournament.
Tottenham – 11/2
Antonio Conte will be aware that the FA Cup represents Tottenham’s best route to silverware this season, as the north Londoners look to end a trophy drought that stretches back to 2008.
Conte might not view English football’s domestic cups in the same light as the Premier League and Champions League, but it is an avenue that could lead to success for Spurs with the tournament having opened up.
UNBELIEVABLE ????@Sonny7 with an unbelievable strike for @SpursOfficial ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/Wje8QXGOrY
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 28, 2023
Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool and Newcastle have already been eliminated, while Spurs will face the winners of a replay between Sheffield United and non-league Wrexham for a place in the quarter-finals.
Conte has lost just two of his previous 18 FA Cup ties and won the trophy at Chelsea during the 2017/18 season. After a campaign of personal trauma, success in the FA Cup would be a welcome positive for the Italian and could persuade Conte that Spurs are on the right track to challenge for major honours.
Manchester United – 7/2
Manchester United remain the only Premier League side competing on four fronts this season and will host West Ham in the FA Cup’s fifth round.
It is the only guaranteed all-Premier League encounter and a tricky test for Erik ten Hag’s side, but one the club will be confident of passing given their recent improvement.
United have won ten of their 12 games in all competitions since the season’s restart and reached the Carabao Cup final in midweek after a 5-0 semi-final aggregate win over Nottingham Forest. The Red Devils will face Newcastle at Wembley later this month, as the club look to win a first major trophy since the 2016/17 season.
Unbelievable from @MarcusRashford ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/VLUE9vsjKs
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 29, 2023
United last won the FA Cup in 2016, when Jesse Lingard’s fine strike put a premature end to Alan Pardew’s touchline dancing and sealed a comeback win against Crystal Palace. Much has changed at Old Trafford since then.
Manchester City – 6/4
Manchester City are the favourites to win the FA Cup this season, having beaten Premier League leaders Arsenal in the fourth round to reach this stage.
City have reached at least the semi-finals in each of the last four seasons, but have won the trophy just once under the management of Pep Guardiola.
Just wait for the replay angle ????????
A first FA Cup goal for @NathanAke ????#EmiratesFACup pic.twitter.com/mazqbuduTT
— Emirates FA Cup (@EmiratesFACup) January 27, 2023
The club’s priorities are elsewhere with a focus on the league title and Champions League, though a favourable fifth-round draw at Championship Bristol City leaves City in a strong position to progress.
How Guardiola manages his squad will be crucial to City’s chances of competing on all fronts, ahead of a defining run in the club’s season. City face six fixtures before meeting Bristol City on March 1, including Premier League clashes with Spurs and Arsenal and a two-legged European tie with RB Leipzig.
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