With just eight teams remaining, the FA Cup quarter-finals take centre stage this weekend. We break down all four fixtures and provide suggested bets for you to consider.
In the outright market, Manchester City lead as 2/1 favourites, closely followed by Aston Villa at 4/1. Brighton are priced at 5/1, with Fulham and Bournemouth available at 13/2 and 8/1, respectively. For those backing an upset, the rest of the field starts at 10/1 or higher.
Click here for the FA Cup Outright Betting
SATURDAY
FULHAM v CRYSTAL PALACE – Click here to bet
The FA Cup quarter-finals kick off with an all-London clash as Fulham host Crystal Palace at Craven Cottage on Saturday afternoon. Marco Silva’s side booked their place in the last eight after a tense penalty shootout victory over Manchester United at Old Trafford, following a 1-1 draw. They carried that momentum into the Premier League, heading into the international break on a high after a composed 2-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur. That result lifted them to 8th in the table, keeping them in contention for European qualification.
This will be the third meeting between these sides this season, with both teams securing 2-0 victories away from home in the league. However, Fulham’s recent home record against Palace is a concern, as they are winless in their last six competitive meetings at Craven Cottage. With a semi-final spot at stake, the hosts will be determined to break that trend.
Crystal Palace, under Oliver Glasner, have hit form at the perfect time. The Eagles dispatched Millwall 3-1 in the last round before edging Ipswich Town 1-0 in league action. Currently sitting 12th in the Premier League, they are riding a wave of momentum after four consecutive victories in all competitions.
Palace’s away form has been particularly impressive, suffering just one defeat in their last 12 trips across all competitions. Their current run of five straight away wins makes them a dangerous opponent, setting the stage for a tightly contested London derby.
Head-to-Head
These two sides have already met twice in the league this season, with each side winning 2-0 away from home.
Betting
Fulham 27/20
Draw 12/5
Crystal Palace 85/40
Verdict
Palace’s excellent away form and Fulham’s struggles at home in this fixture make this an intriguing contest. A tight game is expected, but Palace’s resilience on the road could potentially give them an edge.
Suggested Bet: To Qualify – Crystal Palace at 11/10
BRIGHTON v NOTTINGHAM FOREST – Click here to bet
Saturday evening sees Brighton welcome Nottingham Forest in another all-Premier League FA Cup quarter-final encounter. Brighton’s journey to the last eight included an impressive victory over League Cup winners Newcastle United at St James’ Park. However, they have an extra incentive heading into this particular clash, as they look to avenge the 7-0 thrashing they recently suffered at the hands of Forest last month. The Seagulls will be determined to erase that bitter memory in the hopes of securing a semi-final berth.
Since that humbling defeat, Fabian Hürzeler’s side has responded with resilience, putting together a seven-match unbeaten streak. That run included a thrilling 2-2 draw away to Manchester City before the international break. Currently positioned seventh in the Premier League with 47 points, they are well in the hunt for European qualification.
Nottingham Forest, two-time FA Cup winners, are aiming to end a 66-year drought in this competition. Their cup campaign has already featured its fair share of drama, as they needed penalties to edge past Ipswich Town after a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the previous round. Nuno Espirito Santo’s side then followed up with an impressive 1-0 victory over Manchester City before facing Ipswich Town again in league action, securing a 4-2 win at Portman Road. That victory propelled them to third place in the Premier League, six points clear of Manchester City in fifth.
Forest have been a thorn in Brighton’s side this season, avoiding defeat in their two previous meetings. With Wembley in sight, they’ll be eager to keep their strong record intact and take another step toward a potential cup triumph.
Head-to-Head
Forest are unbeaten against Brighton this season, having drawn 2-2 at the Amex Stadium earlier this season while registering a 7-0 win in the reverse fixture at the City Ground.
Betting
Brighton 17/20
Draw 28/10
Nottingham Forest 3/1
Verdict
Brighton have responded well since their heavy defeat but will be wary of Forest’s resilience. A competitive game is expected, but Brighton’s recent improvement could see them exact their revenge at the Amex.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Brighton at 17/20
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SUNDAY
PRESTON v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
Preston North End, the only remaining EFL Championship side in this competition, will welcome Aston Villa to Deepdale Stadium on Sunday afternoon, looking to continue their remarkable cup run. The Lilywhites secured their place in the quarter-finals with an emphatic 3-0 triumph over Burnley. Paul Heckingbottom’s men will be eager to make history as they return to Deepdale following a crucial 2-1 league victory over Portsmouth before the international break. That result left them comfortably placed mid-table in 14th place, nine points clear of relegation and ten points adrift of the play-off spots.
Preston’s home form has been outstanding, with an unbeaten streak spanning fifteen matches. Their resilience at Deepdale has been key to their progression in this competition, overcoming Charlton, Wycombe, and Burnley along the way. The last time these two sides met was in the EFL Championship back in 2018, with all three encounters that season ending in draws.
However, Aston Villa are a different outfit now under the ever-impressive Unai Emery. The Villans remain firmly in the mix for both UEFA Champions League qualification and FA Cup success this season, seeking to end a 68-year drought in this competition. Given their stature, their extended absence from FA Cup glory is remarkable, and they will be eager to rectify it.
This will be Villa’s first away fixture in this FA Cup campaign, and they arrive in superb form, having won their last five matches in a row. Currently sitting ninth in the Premier League, they’re just four points behind the top four. With three consecutive away wins under their belt, Villa will aim to make Preston their fourth victim, with their sights firmly set on a Wembley semi-final.
Head-to-Head
These two sides last squared off in the Championship back in 2018, with all three encounters ending in draws, the most recent of which finished 1-1.
Betting
Preston 11/2
Draw 15/4
Aston Villa 40/85
Verdict
There’s no denying Preston’s home form is impressive, but Villa’s quality and gulf in class between these two sides should make all the difference here.
Suggested Bet: Result and Totals – Aston Villa and Over 1.5 at 7/10
BOURNEMOUTH v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
On Sunday evening, Bournemouth will host Manchester City in a challenging FA Cup quarter-final clash at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth earned their place in the last eight with a dramatic penalty shootout victory over Wolves earlier this month, marking just the third time in the club’s history they’ve reached this stage.
Andoni Iraola’s side has had a remarkable season, but recent form suggests fatigue may be setting in. The Cherries have failed to win any of their last five matches in regulation time, leaving them 10th in the Premier League. However, they will take confidence from their 2-1 Premier League victory over Manchester City at this venue back in November.
Manchester City, meanwhile, needed the international break to reset after a poor run of results. After defeating Plymouth Argyle 3-1 in the previous FA Cup round, Pep Guardiola’s men suffered a 1-0 league defeat to Nottingham Forest followed by a 2-2 draw against Brighton at the Etihad, placing them 5th in the Premier League.
With their Champions League campaign over and the Premier League title race slipping away, the FA Cup remains City’s most realistic shot at silverware this season. Given their dominance over Bournemouth in recent years, winning seven of their last eight visits to the Vitality Stadium, the Citizens will back themselves to bounce back despite their recent form.
Head-to-Head
Manchester City have historically dominated this fixture, winning seventeen of their last eighteen meetings with Bournemouth. However, their most recent clash saw the Cherries secure a 2-1 victory.
Betting
Bournemouth 2/1
Draw 29/10
Manchester City 12/10
Verdict
Bournemouth shocked City earlier this season, but Guardiola’s men should respond in a more positive manner. I like the look of goals here knowing that there is yet to be a draw between these two quality sides
Suggested Bet: Totals and Both Teams to Score – Over 2.5 and Yes at 4/6
Click here for all this weekend’s English Football action
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
