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 64Round of 32Round of 16Quarter-finals

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

			Predictions
12:4504 Apr	Manchester City - Liverpool		Manchester City to win 1.83
Nostrabet's Analysis Manchester City has already defeated Liverpool twice this season Manchester City has secured a trophy this season after overcoming Arsenal 2-0 in the final of another domestic cup in their last match. They now have the chance to compete for another trophy, especially after being eliminated from the Champions League. Excluding that competition, City has not lost at home at domestic level since their defeat to Tottenham at the beginning of the season. Liverpool, on the other hand, suffered a loss just before the break, going down 1-2 in their visit to Brighton in the Premier League, where they currently sit in fifth place. Nevertheless, the FA Cup remains one of two opportunities for silverware. The other is the Champions League, where a battle against PSG is on the horizon next week. Liverpool has lost three of their last four away matches across all competitions and clearly seems to be struggling on their travels lately. This season, they have already lost twice to Manchester City in the Premier League – 0-3 away and 1-2 at home, and now they face another challenging task against them. Prediction: Manchester City to win It is no surprise that Manchester City is the favourite for another victory. Liverpool has not been at their best, particularly in away matches recently. It is believed that Manchester City can once again secure the win in this encounter.
17:1504 Apr	Chelsea - Port Vale		Asian Handicap: Home -2.5 1.67
Nostrabet's Analysis The question here is how convincing Chelsea's victory will be? The break seems to have come at a good time for Chelsea, who suffered four consecutive defeats across all competitions. However, they are unlikely to miss the opportunity to secure a win against such a modest opponent, especially as they need it following those losses. Furthermore, the FA Cup still presents a chance to pursue silverware this season. This is a historic and prestigious match for third-tier Port Vale. The team is in serious trouble, sitting at the bottom of the third tier of English football, having lost their last match 0-4 away to Wycombe. Nevertheless, they pulled off a surprise in the FA Cup round of 16 by eliminating Sunderland with a home victory of 1-0, now dreaming of another remarkable feat. Prediction: -2.5 AH for Chelsea, over 3.5 goals Chelsea needs a victory to maintain any hopes of claiming a trophy this season. Port Vale is unlikely to pull off another surprise. A relatively easy and more convincing win for Chelsea is expected this time.
20:0004 Apr	Southampton - Arsenal		Asian Handicap: Home +2 1.62
Nostrabet's Analysis 14 matches unbeaten for Southampton Southampton has recently hit impressive form after struggling for much of the season. Currently, they are on a remarkable run of 14 consecutive matches without defeat, which has seen them rise to sixth place in the Championship. In their last six home games in the league, they have conceded only one goal. Therefore, Arsenal may face a challenging match here, despite the fact that the two teams are operating at different levels. Arsenal remains at the top of the Premier League, but prior to the break, they suffered a 0-2 defeat to Manchester City in the cup final, where they were clearly outplayed. Nevertheless, they are still in contention for the FA Cup, the Champions League, and the league title. In the previous round of the FA Cup, they slightly underestimated Mansfield, managing to win 2-1, but this time there is no room for complacency. Additionally, there are several injuries and players with uncertain availability who may not be risked in this match. Prediction: +2 AH for Southampton, under 3.5 goals Southampton has evidently improved in recent months. Arsenal may not have an easy visit here. It is possible that the home side's potential defeat will not be by more than one or two goals, and overall, there may not be many goals in the match.
16:3005 Apr	West Ham - Leeds		Under 2.5 Goals 2.09
Nostrabet's Analysis Survival in the Premier League is likely to be the priority for both teams West Ham continues its efforts to escape the relegation zone in the Premier League and is now just one point away from achieving that goal. In the FA Cup, they managed to eliminate Brentford in the previous round after a penalty shootout, following a 2-2 draw at home in regular time. This marked the team's third consecutive draw in this tournament. West Ham remains unbeaten in their last six home matches across all competitions. Seven of the team's last nine matches featured fewer than 2.5 goals. In the Premier League, Leeds has not secured a victory in the last six rounds and is four points above the relegation zone. They have failed to score in their last four matches. Meanwhile, they did manage to eliminate Norwich in the FA Cup with a 3-0 home victory. Leeds is currently on a run of five consecutive away draws and has not won an away match in the league since September. Six of Leeds' last seven matches in regular time also had fewer than 2.5 goals. Prediction: under 2.5 goals, draw This may initially seem like a somewhat risky prediction, but there is a noticeable trend towards low scoring in the recent matches of both teams, as well as a significant number of draws, particularly for Leeds and mainly in their away games.

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?

FAQ