Welcome to Squawka’s FA Cup predictions and betting tips, covering the world’s oldest knockout competition. Cup football is famously unpredictable, because giant killings and squad rotation upset the form book every season. As a result, we lean on data rather than reputation, using advanced metrics to deliver FA Cup football tips across every round. Our previews help you find value in outrights, match outcomes and goalscorer markets.
This page also breaks down how we create our FA Cup tips. In addition, it covers what matters most in cup football and how to spot value in every round.
Today’s FA Cup tips
Our analysts crunch the numbers for every round of fixtures. Check back here for our high-confidence FA Cup tips and best bets once the 2026-27 competition gets under way.
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FA Cup 2026-27 season preview
The 2026-27 FA Cup begins with the qualifying rounds in August 2026. The first round proper follows in November 2026. Then, in January 2027, Premier League clubs enter at the third-round stage. Finally, Wembley stages the final in May 2027.
We will update our FA Cup predictions here throughout the 2026-27 season, round by round. Meanwhile, the outright table below shows the latest prices for the leading contenders.
FA Cup Outright Odds
Outright odds for the 2026-27 campaign will appear here ahead of the new season.
FA Cup 2026-27 key dates
- Qualifying rounds: from August 2026
- First Round Proper: November 2026
- Third Round Proper: January 2027 (Premier League clubs enter)
- The Final: Wembley, May 2027
What makes FA Cup betting unique
The FA Cup features clubs from all levels of the English football system, which creates unpredictable matchups and dramatic results. Because of the knockout format, matches often play out differently compared to league games. In fact, motivation, rotation and pressure all play major roles. Key differences that influence FA Cup predictions include:
- Teams from lower leagues raising their performance levels
- Premier League and Championship teams also rotating their squads
- Tactical approaches changing because of the high stakes of knockout football
- Match intensity and pace often increasing as the game progresses
- Home advantage carrying extra weight for lower-league sides
Understanding these factors therefore gives you a major edge when selecting FA Cup tips.
Why FA Cup betting can offer strong value
FA Cup games often produce betting value because bookmakers sometimes price matches based heavily on league form. However, in cup football, motivation and squad decisions can matter more than league results. Reasons FA Cup tips can offer value include:
- Underdogs often play with high intensity and attack more bravely
- Favourites may rotate key players, which also levels the playing field
- Some clubs focus strongly on cup competitions for prestige
- Tactical surprises are more common too, creating unexpected match patterns
How We Create Our FA Cup Predictions
Our FA Cup tips are built using a structured analysis process. As a result, every selection is based on objective data, form patterns and match context.
We evaluate:
- Recent form across league and cup matches
- Attacking strength including shots on target, chance creation and expected goals
- Defensive stability and recent goals conceded
- Injury news, suspensions and likely squad rotation
- Motivational factors such as cup prioritisation, fixture congestion or manager comments
- Head to head history if relevant
- Tactical style including pressing intensity, formation changes or direct attacking patterns
- Home and away performance differences
In short, this consistent method helps identify strong opportunities before odds shift.
FA Cup betting strategy for better results
Using a well-thought-out strategy improves long-term performance. For example, these principles work well for FA Cup betting.
• Prioritise matches where both teams have clear motivation to progress
• Be careful with odds-on favourites in early rounds, especially away from home
• Look for markets like over 2.5 goals when favourites rotate defences
• Consider both teams to score when a lower league underdog hosts a top tier team
• Avoid accumulators with too many FA Cup fixtures because unpredictability is high
• Use in play markets when possible, especially if the match begins with fast tempo or defensive errors
Above all, a clear strategy reduces risk and helps you find value more consistently.
Common mistakes to avoid when betting the FA Cup
Many bettors fall into the same traps during the FA Cup season. Therefore, avoid these mistakes to improve your success rate.
• Relying only on league form without considering rotation
• Ignoring the psychological impact of knockout football
• Assuming favourites will dominate regardless of lineup changes
• Overestimating the gap between divisions
• Placing bets without checking starting elevens
• Chasing high odds without a logical reason
Avoiding these errors immediately improves the quality of your FA Cup predictions.
When do we release our FA Cup tips
Squawka releases FA Cup tips and predictions at least 48 hours before each match. Our team of experts also analyses Premier League and EFL sides, providing stats-driven guidance for every round from the early stages to the final.
You will get:
• Detailed statistical analysis for each team
• Insight into form, motivation, and tactical setup
• Early access to predictions so you can place informed bets
Finally, tips are refreshed before each round to reflect team news and the latest data.
Popular FA Cup betting markets
FA Cup matches offer a variety of betting options due to their knockout format. For instance, popular markets include:
• Correct score – Predicting the exact 90-minute score
• First scorer – Betting on which player scores first
• Total goals – Markets like Over 2.5 Goals are ideal due to open, attacking football
• Accumulators – Combine multiple selections across matches for higher potential returns
Accumulators can be especially exciting, too, letting you wager across several FA Cup games in one bet.
In-Play FA Cup Betting
In-play betting allows you to place bets during live matches, taking advantage of dynamic game developments. For example, common FA Cup in-play markets include:
• Which team will score next
• Will a goal occur before a specific time
• Player-specific markets, like next scorer
Live betting is especially valuable when underdogs challenge top teams, because it lets you capitalise on unexpected moments.
Best bookmakers for betting on the FA Cup
We regularly review the top sportsbooks to ensure you are getting the best value for your FA Cup picks. These bookmakers offer competitive FA Cup odds, enhanced markets, and promotions. For example, leading names we recommend include Bet365, Sky Bet, BetMGM, Midnite, and Bet UK.
Which other competitions do you offer tips for?
Of course, our tips aren’t just limited to the FA Cup. Indeed, we offer tips for the other major British competitions including the Premier League, the Scottish Premiership, the Championship and the EFL Cup. We also look across Europe, not just for continental tournaments like the Champions League and Europa League but also for the major domestic leagues in Spain, Italy and Germany, amongst others.
FA Cup Offers & Free Bets
The FA Cup throws up interesting matches in every round, so bookmakers regularly boost odds for new customers. We’ll keep you on top of the latest offers here.
Meanwhile, you can always rely on the bookmakers’ free bet offers if none of these price boosts take your fancy, with most sportsbooks offering new customers the chance to increase their playing funds by offering matched deposit bonuses and the likes.
Who has won the most FA Cups?
- Arsenal: 14
- Man Utd: 13
- Chelsea: 8
- Liverpool: 8
- Tottenham: 8
- Man City: 7
- Aston Villa: 7
- Newcastle United: 6
- Blackburn Rovers: 6
- Everton: 5
- West Brom: 5
FA Cup winners since 2000
- 2000-01 – Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal – Cardiff
- 2001-02 – Arsenal 2-0 Chelsea – Cardiff
- 2002-03 – Arsenal 1-0 Southampton – Cardiff
- 2003-04 – Manchester United 3-0 Millwall – Cardiff
- 2004-05 – Arsenal* 0-0 Manchester United (5-4 penalties) – Cardiff
- 2005-06 – Liverpool* 3-3 West Ham (3-1 penalties) – Cardiff
- 2006-07 – Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
- 2007-08 – Portsmouth 1-0 Cardiff City – Wembley
- 2008-09 – Chelsea 2-1 Everton – Wembley
- 2009-10 – Chelsea 1-0 Portsmouth – Wembley
- 2010-11 – Manchester City 1-0 Stoke City – Wembley
- 2011-12 – Chelsea 2-1 Liverpool – Wembley
- 2012-13 – Wigan Athletic 1-0 Manchester City – Wembley
- 2013-14 – Arsenal 3-2 Hull City – Wembley
- 2014-15 – Arsenal 4-0 Aston Villa – Wembley
- 2015-16 – Manchester United 2-1 Crystal Palace – Wembley
- 2016-17 – Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea – Wembley
- 2017-18 – Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United – Wembley
- 2018-19 – Manchester City 6-0 Watford – Wembley
- 2019-20 – Arsenal 2-1 Chelsea – Wembley
- 2020-21 – Leicester 1-0 Chelsea – Wembley
- 2021-22 – Liverpool* 0-0 Chelsea (6-5 penalties) – Wembley
- 2022-23 – Manchester City 2-1 Manchester United – Wembley
- 2023-24 – Manchester United 2-1 Manchester City – Wembley
- 2024-25 – Crystal Palace 1-0 Manchester City – Wembley
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Lower-league teams often overperform, especially at home or against rotated sides.
Yes, because of unpredictability and rotation, but this also creates value opportunities.
Both options can work, but in-play betting offers value if matches open up unexpectedly.
Sometimes. Mismatched lineups or attacking underdogs can create high-scoring games.
League form matters but should be combined with cup-specific factors for the best FA Cup tips.