As the FA Cup draws closer to the highly-anticipated final at Wembley Stadium, excitement is building for the two semi-finals, where four teams battle for a chance to etch their name in the competition’s storied history.
This year’s semi-finals feature Crystal Palace taking on Aston Villa, while Nottingham Forest face Manchester City, with the iconic Wembley Stadium setting the stage for both fixtures.
Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa
The first of the two FA Cup semi-finals sees Crystal Palace clash with Aston Villa in a match brimming with intrigue.
Crystal Palace started their FA Cup campaign with a 1-0 victory against Stockport County, followed by a fourth round win against Doncaster Rovers, a fifth round triumph over Millwall and an impressive 3-0 victory against Fulham in the quarter-finals.
As for Aston Villa, Unai Emery’s men defeated West Ham United 2-1 in their first FA Cup appearance of the season, followed by progressing through their fourth round match-up against Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-1 victory, beating Cardiff City 2-0 in the fifth round and demolishing Preston North End 3-0 in the quarter-finals.
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Nottingham Forest vs Manchester City
The second semi-final pits this season’s surprise package Nottingham Forest up against tournament favourites Manchester City.
Nottingham Forest have experienced a challenging route to the semi-finals, beating Luton Town 2-0 in the third round before needing to rely on penalties in all of their next three clashes, beating Exeter City 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw, defeating Ipswich Town 5-4 on spot kicks after drawing 1-1 and progressing past Brighton & Hove Albion 4-3 on penalties after a 0-0 draw in the quarter-finals.
Manchester City have had an easier route to the semi-finals, recording a breathtaking 8-0 win over Salford City in the third round, a 2-1 win against Leyton Orient in the fourth round, beating Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the fifth round and coming from behind to beat Bournemouth 2-1 in their quarter-final clash.
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When Did They Last Win The FA Cup?
· Crystal Palace have never lifted a major trophy since their formation in 1905, coming closest to an FA Cup triumph as they finished as runners-up in both 1989/90 and 2015/16.
· Aston Villa are seven-time victors of the FA Cup, but the Villans are now without the trophy for 68 years, having last triumphed in the 1956/57 season.
· Nottingham Forest have lifted the FA Cup trophy on two occasions in their history, last securing the iconic trophy in 1958/59.
· Manchester City have dominated the top domestic competitions in recent years, including several FA Cup victories, with their most recent triumph coming in 2022/23.
Who Are The Favourites?
This stage is where legends are made, and the odds to lift the trophy will undoubtedly reflect the contrasting journeys and form of the four teams. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are aiming to secure surprise victories, while Aston Villa and Manchester City boast strong credentials, the FA Cup once again promises plenty of drama and unforgettable moments.
Man City are the leading favourites to secure the trophy, with odds of 2.10 at Bet9ja, and Aston Villa come in second place with odds of 3.75 to triumph. Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are viewed as equally unlikely to lift the trophy, coming in with odds of 5.50.
However, as the FA Cup has shown time and time again throughout its prestigious history, the magic of the cup means that anything can happen.
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