The 2024/25 FA Cup quarterfinals are now in the books, and our final four have now been decided. Manchester City, Aston Villa, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace are now just one game away from a date with destiny, but which of them do the bookies feel will lift the trophy at Wembley on May 17th? Let’s find out.
Manchester City
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City have long been the dominant force in English football, but their stranglehold on the beautiful game has vanished this season. Last season, the popular At Odds podcast was discussing the title hopes of both Arsenal and Liverpool and while their predictions may not have come true in 2024, they certainly have in 2025.
A season-ending injury to talismanic midfielder Rodri in a 2-2 draw against Arsenal earlier in the campaign proved to be detrimental to their ambitions. Since the Spaniard was crocked with an ACL tear, The Blues have looked a shadow of their former selves.
The outgoing Premier League champions are down in fifth place in the league and it’s mathematically impossible for them to win a record-extending fifth straight title this season. They are also out of the UEFA Champions League after a disappointing round-of-16 exit against Real Madrid, and the FA Cup is now their final chance at silverware this season. And even that last remaining opportunity was very nearly lost in the quarterfinals.
Erling Haaland’s early missed penalty, coupled with Evanilson’s bungled opener, looked as though it would hand Bournemouth the victory in the quarterfinals on the South Coast. However, Guardiola’s side was much improved after the halftime interval and goals from the aforementioned Norwegian striker and January signing Omar Marmoush completed an impressive turnaround to secure a 2-1 win.
Now, it’s City that online gambling sites make the favorites to win the trophy. Ahead of the semifinals, the latest real money gambling at Bovada odds price The Blues as a 2.10 frontrunner for the trophy. If they don’t live up to the billing then they will have to come to terms with ending a trophyless campaign for the first time since 2017. For those who love real money gambling, it’s a thrilling setup, but who knows which way it will go?
Nottingham Forest
If City are to reign supreme, then they will first have to get past Nottingham Forest in the semifinals. The Tricky Trees have had a season that even their most ardent supporter couldn’t have expected this year.
The East Midlands outfit is currently in third place in the Premier League and looks poised for a shock return to the UEFA Champions League for the first time in 45 years. But as well as that, they have also made it through to the FA Cup final four for the first time since they reached the final back in 1991. Ending the campaign with the trophy as well as finishing in the top four in the league will secure perhaps the club’s greatest campaign since the days of Brian Clough.
At odds of 5.50, they certainly have a chance. Blistering wingers Callum Hudson-Odoi and Anthony Elanga can tear apart any defense on their day, and they have combined to down Manchester City once already this season. If they can do it again, then a spot in the final will be theirs.
Aston Villa
Another team that has developed into a genuine powerhouse over the last two years is Aston Villa. Unai Emery’s side were the ones surprisingly finishing in the top four last term, and they have pushed on to reach the quarterfinals of the Champions League. Now, a resounding 3-0 victory against second-tier Preston North End has punched their tickets to the FA Cup final four.
Manchester United loanee Marcus Rashford was the star of the show at Deepdale, netting his first goals for the club in a comfortable win. Now, the Villains will be focused on winning the trophy for the first time in 68 years, and the bookies make them a 3.75 second favorite to get the job done.
Villa are still competing on three fronts this term. They will meet Paris Saint-Germain with a place in the semifinals of the Champions League on the line, while they remain in contention for a spot in the Premier League top five as well. However, the FA Cup may well represent their best opportunity at silverware, and it’s an opportunity that Emery will surely want to grab with both hands.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace are the team that will face Aston Villa in the semifinals, and much like their upcoming opponents, they too had a comfortable time in the quarterfinals. They convincingly beat fellow Premier League side Fulham away from home in the quarterfinals, with goals from Eberechi Eze, Ismaila Sarr, and Eddie Nketiah securing a 3-0 win. But even so, the bookies currently price them as the 6.00 long shots for the trophy.
The Eagles have reached the FA Cup final before. Back in 2016, they met Manchester United at Wembley, and it looked as though they would lift the trophy for the first time when Jason Puncheon gave them the lead late on. Unfortunately, the Red Devils came roaring back and goals from Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard ensured that the title headed to Old Trafford.
