FA Cup Semi-Finals Betting Preview

The FA Cup semi-finals take place at Wembley this weekend, with a trio of sides aiming to beat favourites Manchester City to the trophy.

The other three semi-finalists – Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest – have the fourth, sixth and seventh-best records in the Premier League in 2025.

With three in-form sides aiming to end their silverware drought, we should be in for two entertaining games.

Villa’s clash with Palace is live on BBC One at 5:15pm on Saturday, while City take on Forest at 4:30pm on Sunday, live on ITV. 

Tip 1: Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa – over 2.5 goals at Evens with BetMGM

Saturday’s game should be an entertaining affair if the previous meetings between these sides are anything to go by. Palace are unbeaten across three meetings with Villa this term, scoring eight times.

The Eagles won at Villa Park to eliminate them from the EFL Cup, they returned in November to draw 2-2 in the league. Palace were 4-1 winners when the pair met at Selhurst Park in February, so Villa should have some concerns going into Saturday’s clash.

However, Unai Emery’s side have scored three or more goals in six of their last nine matches. Each of those nine games have featured at least three goals in total. With Palace recently losing 5-2 at Man City and 5-0 at Newcastle, the Villans should have some joy going forward.

Tip 2: Manchester City to beat Nottingham Forest at 8/11 with Midnite

Manchester City are in fantastic form heading into their semi-final. They’ve turned things around since March’s international break, winning five of their last six games. 

The Citizens have won three straight games, scoring nine times in wins over Crystal Palace, Everton and Aston Villa. They should be confident of continuing that good record against a Forest side who have lost two of their last three games.

Forest have a poor record against top sides this term, with 14 of their 18 league wins coming against bottom-half teams. 

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side have lost six of their nine trips to teams in the top-half, including a 3-0 loss at the Etihad. With City in fantastic form, they’re good value to win in 90 minutes and secure a spot in the final. 

Tip 3: 2-2 draw in Palace vs Villa and Man City to win 2-1 at 126/1 with bet365

If you’re looking for a bet to place across the two semis, this huge correct-score double is worth considering. 

Palace’s good record against Villa is something to take into account, with the Eagles unbeaten in four meetings between the sides. Palace have also lost only four times across their last 15 league games, so they can keep pace with Villa and force the game to extra time.

City have scored exactly twice in four of their last six games, including two 2-1 victories. They face a Forest side who are likely to sit back until they are forced to push forward. 

Nuno’s team have conceded twice in seven of nine encounters with the top 10 sides in the Premier League away from the City Ground. City still can’t be trusted entirely at the back, so take them to win 2-1.