2024 FA Cup Predictions for Selected Matches

The FA Cup remains one of the most exciting tournaments to watch in Europe. Thirty-two games will be played between January 6th and 8th. We decided to tell you about the latest 2024 FA Cup predictions because there are some interesting games to follow.

The Football Association Challenge Cup is one of the most popular events at online sportsbooks in the UK. The winner of this competition goes straight to the next season of the UEFA Europa League, compared to League Cup, where a winner goes to Conference League, which means that winning the FA Cup is more prestigious, and more viewers join broadcasts on match days. Let’s go through the most interesting 2024 FA Cup predictions for four matches:

• Sunderland v Newcastle 
• Middlesbrough v Aston Villa 
• Chelsea v Preston
• Arsenal v Liverpool

2024 FA Cup predictions: Sunderland v Newcastle 

Betway odds for the Sunderland v Newcastle match are among the most intriguing. The bitter adversaries faced each other for the first time since 2016 when both were established Premier League teams. Despite being considered underdogs, Sunderland can draw confidence from their impressive head-to-head record against Newcastle, having not lost in the last nine meetings (6W, 3D, 0L). Among these encounters are three consecutive home victories for Sunderland in the Championship. Maintaining this dominant record could be historic, as Sunderland has never won four consecutive home games against Newcastle. Achieving this feat would be a noteworthy way for the new manager, Michael Beale, to win the favour of the home supporters.

Despite Sunderland’s historical advantage in head-to-head matchups, many still anticipate Newcastle to emerge victorious. However, anything other than a win could be detrimental for manager Eddie Howe, who, despite his popularity at St James’ Park, faces increasing pressure due to a dismal run of seven losses in their last eight matches across all competitions, with only one win.

Newcastle’s persistent injury crisis continues into the new year, adding to the apprehension for the visiting Toon Army. Additionally, their recent poor performance in the FA Cup is a cause for concern, as each of their last three campaigns ended in the third round, with the previous two defeats coming against lower-league opponents. Betway predicts Newcastle to win with a 1.79 chance, while their rivals are given 4.40. We, however, think that Sunderland will emerge victorious with a famous win.

Middlesbrough v Aston Villa betting odds

Middlesbrough experienced a challenging start to 2024. Despite advancing to the Carabao Cup 2023/2024 semi-finals, the team suffered a 3-1 defeat to Coventry City with a depleted squad.

With a dozen players missing, their preparation for the upcoming FA Cup match against Premier League leaders Aston Villa could be better. Despite recent setbacks, Middlesbrough has a history of upsetting stronger opponents in the FA Cup, notably eliminating Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur in 2022, though both victories required extra time.

Aston Villa previously defeated Middlesbrough in the 2017/18 Championship play-off semi-final, but the teams have taken divergent paths since then. Under Unai Emery’s guidance, Aston Villa is having a remarkable 2023/24 season, sitting just three points away from the Premier League summit and securing a spot in the UEFA Conference League. Despite being seven-time FA Cup winners, Aston Villa hasn’t claimed the trophy since 1957.

However, their recent dominance against Middlesbrough, including five consecutive clean sheets in head-to-head matchups (four wins, one draw), adds to the confidence of their fans. Additionally, Aston Villa possesses a significantly stronger squad with a market value almost ten times higher than Middlesbrough’s. Middlesbrough is given a 5.30 chance to win the draw, while Villa is given 1.66 – a vast margin that perfectly reflects the class difference between the two teams. Our 2024 FA Cup predictions favour Aston Villa to advance.

Chelsea v Preston odds for FA Cup

Chelsea, winners of the FA Cup on eight occasions, are embarking on a quest to reclaim the trophy, last secured in 2018. Their recent form has been alright, with victories in four of their last five matches across various competitions. Mauricio Pochettino expressed satisfaction with ending 2023 on a positive note, particularly after a 3-2 triumph over Luton in their final league game of the year, despite leading 3-0 after an 80th minute.

Looking ahead to their third FA Cup encounter with Preston North End this millennium, Chelsea aims to replicate their previous victories with two-goal margins. This prospect is plausible, given their current unbeaten streak of six home matches (with five wins and one draw) and an impeccable FA Cup record at home since February 2019 (with nine wins), scoring at least twice in all three fixtures last season.

With memories of their two FA Cup titles in 1938 fading, Preston faces a challenging task, having won only one of their last five away games (with one draw and three losses). Their chances of causing an upset are further diminished by losing each of their last three FA Cup away games against Championship sides at the time. Online gambling sites in the UK believe that Chelsea is by a margin the favourites to win the game, with a 1.20 chance compared to Preston’s 11.00. We think the same – there is very little hope for Preston to advance.

2024 FA Cup predictions: Arsenal v Liverpool

This is a great game to watch for a neutral FA Cup fan. Both teams are in the top-4 of the Premier League at the moment. Arsenal recently have had a terrible run of games – 4 points out of 15 possible – winning against Brighton, drawing Liverpool at Anfield, and losing to Aston Villa, West Ham United, and Fulham. Liverpool are top of the table at the moment.

They will lose Salah and Endo to their national teams who go to AFCON and AFC Asian Cup, respectively, but they should have enough firepower against Arsenal. From the Gunners’ perspective, winning the FA Cup is one of the options to salvage the season. They are most likely out of the title race and the League Cup, but still in the Champions League and FA Cup. Winning the FA Cup would be an alright option, so Arsenal will play their main squad to defeat Liverpool, who at the moment are busy fighting for the League Cup, Premier League, and Europa League, so there is a possibility that they won’t play their best squad available.

We predict that Arsenal will advance through with a minimal score of 1-0. They have much to prove to their fans after shocking West Ham and Fulham defeats. Betway also predicts that Arsenal will win, but the margin is subtle – 2.02 to Arsenal and 3.70 to Liverpool.

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