England FA Cup

FA Cup tips by:

Davey Hanson

Matches

Fixtures FA Cup

Extra Preliminary RoundPreliminary RoundExtra Preliminary Round ReplaysPreliminary Round Replays1st Round Qualifying1st Round Qualifying Replays2nd Round QualifyingQualification Round 22nd Round Qualifying Replays3rd Round QualifyingQualification Round 31/128-finalsRound of 128Round of 64

2025/20262024/20252023/20242022/20232021/20222020/20212019/20202018/20192017/20182016/20172015/20162014/20152013/20142012/20132011/2012

			Predictions
19:3009 Jan	Wrexham - Nottingham Forest
Nostrabet's Analysis
19:3009 Jan	Preston - Wigan
Nostrabet's Analysis
19:3009 Jan	Port Vale - Fleetwood Town
Nostrabet's Analysis
19:3009 Jan	Milton Keynes Dons - Oxford United
Nostrabet's Analysis
12:1510 Jan	Wolves - Shrewsbury
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12:1510 Jan	Macclesfield - Crystal Palace
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12:1510 Jan	Everton - Sunderland
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12:1510 Jan	Cheltenham - Leicester
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15:0010 Jan	Stoke City - Coventry
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15:0010 Jan	Sheffield Wednesday - Brentford
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15:0010 Jan	Salford City - Swindon Town
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15:0010 Jan	Norwich - Walsall
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15:0010 Jan	Newcastle - Bournemouth
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15:0010 Jan	Manchester United - Brighton
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15:0010 Jan	Manchester City - Exeter City
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15:0010 Jan	Liverpool - Barnsley
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15:0010 Jan	Ipswich - Blackpool
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15:0010 Jan	Hull City - Blackburn
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15:0010 Jan	Grimsby - Weston-super-Mare
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15:0010 Jan	Fulham - Middlesbrough
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15:0010 Jan	Doncaster - Southampton
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15:0010 Jan	Derby - Leeds
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15:0010 Jan	Charlton - Chelsea
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15:0010 Jan	Burnley - Millwall
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15:0010 Jan	Boreham Wood - Burton Albion
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17:4510 Jan	Tottenham - Aston Villa
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17:4510 Jan	Cambridge United - Birmingham
Nostrabet's Analysis

The FA Cup dates back to 1871. It is, therefore, the oldest national football competition that exists, anywhere. It is hugely prestigious and watched by millions of fans from around the world.

Our FA Cup football predictions can make this historic competition even more exciting to watch. Moreover, it provides betting opportunities for almost the whole year. Although the Premier League and Championship clubs enter the fray in January, the qualifying rounds begin at the start of August of the previous year.

Here at Nostrabet, our experts provide a wealth of FA Cup tips, as well as analysis, odds, and FA Cup predictions. So, read on for the complete FA Cup betting lowdown. Alternatively, check out the rest of our site for tips on other competitions and sports, bookmaker reviews, offers and much more.

FA Cup History and Format

The FA Cup predates organised league football in England. Well before we had anything like the Premier League, it was the main prize on offer. In 1872, Wanderers beat Royal Engineers 1-0 at the Kennington Oval in the first FA Cup final ever.

The competition, teams and venues have all changed a lot since then. However, the excitement, prestige and quality of football have all remained the same or improved. That has helped make the FA Cup the most important domestic cup in the world.

One of the special things about the FA Cup is that it gives amateurs the chance to compete against pros. Unlike the EFL Cup, which is only open to teams in the top four divisions, clubs as far down the pyramid as the 10th tier can enter the FA Cup.

How Many Rounds and Teams?

There are 12 rounds in total, with the competition proper not starting until the seventh. That is known as the first round, with the previous six forming the Qualifying Competition. Non-league teams from the fifth down to the ninth tier and perhaps a few from the 10th battle it out for the chance to reach the first round proper and a meeting with the big boys.

Around 440 teams play the extra preliminary round at the start of August. This is followed in the same month by the preliminary round, where the winners are joined by further teams. This system continues through August and September until October, when clubs from the fifth tier join the FA Cup in the fourth qualifying round (sixth round overall).

League Two and League One sides then enter the fray for the first round proper in November. The second round follows later in the year, with clubs desperate to win, knowing that in the third round they could get to play at Old Trafford, Anfield, or any of the other huge Premier League stadium.

Teams from The Championship also join for the third round. From here, the FA Cup is a straight knockout format with no new clubs joining. As in previous rounds, a fresh draw is made for each round. This continues until the semi-final, after which, of course, just two teams remain!

If you think you know who will win the FA Cup, you can bet on the outright winner. At any stage, excellent football bookies such as Betfred, bet365, Betway and others will have odds available.

Key Dates

Note that these are the main dates. Generally, games will take place between Friday and Monday in many of the rounds.

• Extra Preliminary Round: 2 August 2025
• Preliminary Round: 16 August 2025
• First Round Qualifying: 30 August 2025
• Second Round Qualifying: 13 September 2025
• Third Round Qualifying: 27 September 2025
• Fourth Round Qualifying: 11 October 2025
• First Round Proper: 1 November 2025
• Second Round Proper: 6 December 2025
• Third Round Proper: 10 January 2026
• Fourth Round Proper: 14 February 2026
• Fifth Round Proper: 7 March 2026
• Quarter Final: 4 April 2026
• Semi-Final: 25 April 2026
• The Final: 16 May 2026

FA Cup’s Previous Winners

45 different teams have won the FA Cup over the years. However, many of these, for example, the 1883 champions Blackburn Olympic, no longer exist. Here are the most successful teams in FA Cup history.

When does Nostrabet release its FA Cup Predictions?

If you want FA Cup betting tips this weekend, note that we publish our tips around 48 hours before kick-off. This means we can get a good idea of team news, but also allows you enough time to grab any early value. It also gives you time to check our FA Cup predictions with your own thoughts.

All of our FA Cup betting tips are thoroughly researched by our experts. That includes a blend of their football experience and knowledge, plus data-driven analytics. However, we still advise you to do your own research, so that you fully understand what you are betting on.

Throughout the FA Cup, we will publish fresh tips for each round. If you want FA Cup betting tips today, there is a high chance you can find them on this page at any point during the competition.

Popular betting markets for the FA Cup

As you would expect with such a famous competition, there are many different bets available. The best bookies, such as bet365, will offer hundreds, even for the early stages. With its knockout format, betting on the FA Cup often provides greater excitement than league competitions. There are bets relating to extra time and penalties, too, which really increase the excitement. However, punters should note that most wagers are 90 minutes (plus stoppage time) only, unless stated. Check out our FA Cup betting tips today to get the bets our experts recommend.

FA Cup Accumulators

FA Cup accas, covering multiple games from a single round, are hugely popular and great fun. Moreover, you might land a massive win if you call it right!

FA Cup over 2.5 goals bets

Betting on over 2.5 goals is a fun option in the FA Cup, as you can cheer for goals from both sides. Additionally, goals are more likely when there is a mismatch, and this often occurs in the competition.

FA Cup goalscorer

FA Cup goalscorer bets can include a player to score first, last or at any time in a game. However, you can also bet on the FA Cup top goalscorer, or Golden Boot.

FA Cup ‘To go through’ bets

There are no replays in the FA Cup nowadays. Therefore, back a team “to qualify” or “to go through”. This covers a win in 90 minutes, extra time, or penalties.

FA Cup full-time results bets

The match odds market remains the most popular FA Cup bet. Will your team win, lose or draw?

How to Bet on the FA Cup Games

Betting on the FA Cup is fun, easy and perfect for betting beginners. There are games between August and the final in May. However, many fans begin to take an interest in autumn, when the 48 teams from Leagues One and Two enter the first round proper.

There are 40 games in the first round, 20 in the second and then, with the addition of the PL and Championship clubs, 32 in the third. Compared to the demanding schedule of the Champions League, the FA Cup is easier for both players and punters.

The rounds are nicely spaced out. Moreover, once the big boys enter, there are just six rounds to follow. Additionally, from the fourth round onwards (16 FA Cup ties), there are a very manageable number of games too.

Best bookmakers for betting on the FA Cup

The David versus Goliath nature of the FA Cup throws up so many interesting betting options. Generally, football differs from the Bible, so when the Goliaths of the PL slay the smaller underdog clubs, we are left with some really high-class, glamorous matches later in the FA Cup.

Whatever FA Cup bets you want to make, in our opinion, bet365, Betfred and Betway are among the best football betting sites out there. Why not take a look at our FA Cup predictions and give one of these sites a try?

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