With just four teams left in the competition, the FA Cup Semi-Finals take centre stage at Wembley Stadium this weekend. Here are my thoughts on both clashes, along with some betting suggestions to consider.
Before we get into the individual match-ups, it’s worth noting the outright market: Manchester City lead as favourites at 11/10, followed by Aston Villa at 11/4, while both Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest are priced at 9/2.
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SATURDAY
CRYSTAL PALACE v ASTON VILLA – Click here to bet
Wembley Stadium plays host to the first of this weekend’s FA Cup semi-finals as Crystal Palace take on Aston Villa this Saturday in what promises to be a competitive affair between two sides with contrasting recent histories in the competition.
Crystal Palace return to the semi-finals for the first time since 2016, having produced a commanding 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage in the quarter-finals. Oliver Glasner’s side impressed with a sharp and efficient performance—goals from Eberechi Eze and Wilfried Sarr in the first half set the tone, before Eddie Nketiah added a third in the 75th minute to seal a well-deserved win.
While their Cup form has been impressive, Palace have struggled for consistency in the Premier League of late, perhaps showing signs of fatigue as the season wears on. Their preparations for this Wembley showdown are further complicated by a quick turnaround, having faced Arsenal at the Emirates in a midweek clash that ended in a 2-2 draw. That result extended their unbeaten run to two matches, but their recent league form still reflects just one win, two draws, and two defeats from their last five outings.
Aston Villa, meanwhile, have enjoyed a stellar season under Unai Emery and enter the semi-final in strong form. The Villans swept past Preston with a dominant 3-0 win to reach the final four and have now won seven of their last eight matches across all domestic competitions. Their only slip-up during this impressive run came in a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City at the Etihad on Tuesday evening. Nevertheless, they remain well-prepared for this clash, having produced a statement performance at Villa Park over the weekend with a 4-1 demolition of Newcastle United, as they look to end their 68-year wait for FA Cup glory.
However, Villa will be wary of their recent record against Saturday’s opponents. They’ve failed to beat Crystal Palace in any of their last four meetings, a run they’ll be eager to end as they chase a spot in the final and a chance at silverware.
Head-to-Head
Crystal Palace are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Aston Villa, including a commanding 4-1 victory in their most recent encounter.
Betting
Crystal Palace 95/40
Draw 12/5
Aston Villa 12/10
Verdict
Aston Villa’s blistering form under Unai Emery makes them hard to oppose, having won seven of their last eight domestic matches. Although their winning streak came to an end with a narrow 2-1 defeat away to Manchester City on Tuesday, they remain my preferred choice. While Villa have struggled in recent meetings with Palace, the Eagles arrive at this semi-final off a demanding run of fixtures and could find it difficult to keep pace. Villa look the smarter pick to break their winless run in this fixture and book a place in the final.
Suggested Bet: Full Time Result – Aston Villa at 12/10
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SUNDAY
NOTTINGHAM FOREST v MANCHESTER CITY – Click here to bet
Nottingham Forest have defied expectations to reach their first FA Cup semi-final in over three decades. Nuno Espírito Santo’s men showed grit and composure to eliminate Brighton in the previous round, holding the Seagulls to a goalless draw at the Amex before prevailing 4-3 in a tense penalty shootout.
Forest head to Wembley with renewed confidence after returning to winning ways in the Premier League with a timely 2-1 victory over Tottenham on Monday—a much-needed response following back-to-back defeats. Encouragingly, the Midlands outfit can also take heart from their recent encounters with Manchester City. They stunned the champions with a 1-0 win at the City Ground earlier this year, and when these two sides last met in an FA Cup tie back in 2009, it was Forest who emerged victorious with a 3-0 win at the Etihad.
Manchester City’s last realistic hope of silverware this season lies in the FA Cup, with their Premier League title challenge now mathematically over. Pep Guardiola’s side were pushed all the way in the quarter-finals, edging past Bournemouth 2-1 at the Vitality Stadium, and now return to Wembley aiming to reach a second consecutive final after finishing runners-up to Manchester United last season.
City’s experience in domestic cup competitions remains a significant asset. They’ve won each of their last two FA Cup semi-finals and continue to possess one of the most formidable squads in the country. While overall form has been somewhat patchy, the Citizens do appear to be in recovery mode, coming into this clash unbeaten in their last seven matches across all competitions—recording five wins and two draws—including a solid 2-0 victory away to Everton at Goodison Park over the weekend, followed just three days later by a 2-1 home win against Aston Villa on Tuesday.
Head-to-Head
City have lost just once in their last six meetings with Forest, winning four and drawing one. However, that sole defeat came in their most recent encounter—a 1-0 loss at the City Ground in March of this year.
Betting
Nottingham Forest 15/4
Draw 29/10
Manchester City 15/20
Verdict
Forest have already shown they can frustrate elite opposition, having recently beaten City 1-0 and held Brighton to a goalless draw in the previous round. While Manchester City have steadily improved along the way, this being a semi-final at Wembley adds a different kind of pressure. With renewed confidence and a pragmatic approach under Nuno, Forest are capable of keeping things tight. Given the stakes and their defensive resilience, a chance is taken on the Tricky Trees to avoid defeat in regulation time, with four goals or fewer in the match.
Suggested Bet: Double Chance and Total – Nottingham Forest/Draw and Under 4.5 at 12/10
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Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
