The FA Cup semifinals are set, promising a slightly unusual spectacle this year. While Manchester City, a frequent contender, remains in the mix, they are joined by Crystal Palace, Aston Villa, and Nottingham Forest – Premier League teams more accustomed to playoff tension than FA Cup glory.
Crystal Palace secured their semifinal spot first, dominating Fulham away. Nottingham Forest endured a penalty shootout to overcome Brighton & Hove Albion.
Aston Villa enjoyed a comfortable victory over Preston North End, the last Championship team in the competition, with a 3-0 win. Manchester City faced a tougher challenge against Bournemouth, needing a comeback inspired by Nico O’Reilly, who set up Erling Haaland and then scored the winner himself.
Semifinal Draw
- Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa
- Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City
Matches are scheduled for the weekend of April 26th and 27th.
Crystal Palace
Best FA Cup Finish: Runners-up (1990, 2016). For Palace, the absence of Manchester United is a positive sign, as United defeated them in their previous two final appearances. They are still seeking their first major cup title.
Road to the Semifinals: Eberechi Eze starred in their 3-0 away win against Fulham, scoring and assisting. They previously defeated Stockport, Doncaster, and Millwall.
Winning Chances: Palace is arguably the most in-form team left, with a strong record in recent matches. They recently defeated Aston Villa significantly in the league.
Aston Villa
Best FA Cup Finish: Winners (1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957). Despite their history, Villa has rarely reached the FA Cup final since their last win, with losses in 2000 and 2015 being their only final appearances.
Road to the Semifinals: Villa has navigated a demanding season to reach this stage, defeating West Ham and Tottenham at home, and Cardiff in the previous round. Marcus Rashford, on loan, scored twice in the quarterfinal against Preston.
Winning Chances: Villa possesses impressive squad depth, crucial for competing on multiple fronts, including the Champions League quarterfinals. Their fitness after a busy schedule will be a key factor at Wembley.
Nottingham Forest
Best FA Cup Finish: Winners (1898, 1959). Forest`s FA Cup history is marked by their 1991 final loss under Brian Clough. This semifinal appearance is their deepest run in the competition since then.
Road to the Semifinals: Forest`s journey has been dramatic, starting with a win over Luton, followed by penalty shootout victories against Exeter City, Ipswich, and Brighton.
Winning Chances: Forest`s resilient, defensive style makes them a dangerous cup team. They have been defensively solid in the FA Cup this season, but their overall performance metrics suggest they might be overperforming expectations.
Manchester City
Best FA Cup Finish: Winners (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023). Another victory would put City level with Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham in FA Cup titles. They have consistently reached the semifinals in recent years.
Road to the Semifinals: City had a relatively smooth path, including a big win over Salford City and a comeback against Leyton Orient. They also defeated Plymouth Argyle and Bournemouth.
Winning Chances: City is the favorite, but they haven`t always been at their peak this season. Their vulnerability to counter-attacks could be exploited by their semifinal opponents. However, they are still the most likely team to reach the final and win.
Adrian Whitmore