FA Cup 2024/25 predictions: Quarter-finals
0
0
The 2024/25 FA Cup has so far relished the underdog, even if giant killings have been in short supply.
There’s been no story akin to Wrexham in 1992, Lincoln City in 2017 or Hereford in 1972 (although non-league Tamworth did take Tottenham Hotspur to extra time), but the competition could still deliver a fairytale ending.
Half of the remaining eight FA Cup participants have never lifted this trophy before. The bulk of the survivors are top-flight outfits, prising some of the magic away, but that doesn’t mean this weekend’s quarter-finals aren’t grand occasions for several sets of supporters.
Manchester City are still there and have dashed dreams before, most notably in 2019 and 2023, but there’s hope their vulnerability will be seized upon by one of the remaining trophy-hungry competitors.
Here are 90min’s predictions for the 2024/25 FA Cup quarter-finals.
Two of the four teams who’ve never got their hands on this historic prize meet in west London as Fulham face Crystal Palace.
The Cottagers beat Manchester United on penalties to advance into the last eight, while Palace eased past second-tier Millwall following the early dismissal of goalkeeper Liam Roberts for fly-kicking Jean-Philippe Mateta. The Frenchman required some serious patching up, but he’s on track to return this weekend.
Palace won on their previous visit to Craven Cottage earlier this year and are one of the Premier League’s form teams. The hosts are six points better off in the table, however.
Brighton have also never won the FA Cup, and revenge is in order on the south coast as they take on Nottingham Forest. The Seagulls were subjected to a 7-0 humiliation at the City Ground last month.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have been one of the stories of the season, and 2024/25 will be remembered as the club’s very best since the days of Brian Clough should they advance deep into this competition while securing a top-four berth in the Premier League.
Forest last won the FA Cup in 1959.
|
Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
12:15 |
Fulham vs Crystal Palace |
1-2 |
|
17:15 |
Brighton vs Nottingham Forest |
2-1 |
Preston‘s glory days are long behind them, but they’re waving the flag for the EFL this weekend and are aiming to reach the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time since 1964.
Paul Heckingbottom’s side have been a pretty tough watch this season, but they produced one of their best performances of the season against Burnley in the fifth round to make the quarter-finals. However, if they are to make history this weekend, they must bypass Unai Emery’s Aston Villa.
The Villans have downed two Premier League rivals on their way to the quarters, but all three of their cup ties were played at Villa Park. They’re not quite as fearsome on their travels, although Deepdale has hardly proven to be a fortress this term.
The action rounds off at the Vitality Stadium. Bournemouth, who have never even made it to the FA Cup semi-finals, welcome a side that’s more than familiar with silverware. Manchester City to the south coast. The waning Premier League champions have spoiled potential underdog stories in 2019 and 2023 on their way to glory, and they’ve got a chance of ending an enthralling cup campaign on a rather dull note.
However, Pep Guardiola’s side are fallible, and they’ve already lost at Bournemouth this season. The Cherries will be backed heavily by neutrals on Sunday.
|
Kick-off time (GMT) |
Fixture |
Prediction |
|---|---|---|
|
13:30 |
Preston vs Aston Villa |
0-2 |
|
16:30 |
Bournemouth vs Man City |
2-3 (A.E.T) |
READ THE LATEST FA CUP NEWS, PREVIEWS & RATINGS HERE
https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_1919,h_1079,x_0,y_0/c_fill,w_1440,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/voltaxMediaLibrary/mmsport/90min_en_international_web/01jqf07b6aq7rja5s4dd.jpg
