Manchester City 1/2 favourites for FA Cup success after Arsenal's shock exit
Manchester City are now no bigger than 1/2 with bookmakers to lift a second domestic cup of the 2025/26 season after a chaotic weekend of FA Cup quarter-final action.
Pep Guardiola’s men started off the weekend’s ties in emphatic fashion, delivering a resounding 4-0 beating to struggling Liverpool with Erling Haaland netting yet another hat-trick for the Citizens.
Chelsea quickly shut down any fears of an ultimate upset when swatting aside League One strugglers Port Vale 7-0 at Stamford Bridge, before the big shock of the round saw favourites Arsenal dumped out 2-1 at Championship Southampton.
Gunners boss Mikel Arteta played a heavily rotated side – partly due to a minor injury crisis – but still fielded enough quality to see his side deemed strong favourites to progress.
However, goals from Ross Stewart and Shea Charles either side of a Viktor Gyokeres equaliser saw the second-tier side book an unexpected trip to Wembley later this month.
The most bonkers tie of the round was saved for last, when Leeds booked their first FA Cup semi-final berth in 39 years by squeezing past West Ham on penalties.
The Whites appeared to be cruising to the last four when 2-0 up in East London heading into injury time, but two late Hammers strikes forced a pulsating contest into extra-time.
Spot-kicks were required and though young home goalkeeper Finlay Herrick – on for his debut in place of the injured Alphonse Areola – saved Leeds’ first effort, the visitors ultimately won the shootout 4-2.
Bookmakers moved quickly to install City as the 1/2 favourites across the board for this season’s FA Cup after the seven-time winners were drawn to play surprise package Southampton in the semi-finals.
Chelsea are expected to meet City in this year’s final, considered a 1/3 chance to find a way past Leeds in the other semi.
Liam Rosenior’s tenure at Stamford Bridge has not got off to the best of starts but his side are now just an 11/4 chance to end a topsy-turvy season with silverware.
Of the two outsiders, Leeds are a 9/1 shot to end a 54-year wait and get their hands back on football’s oldest prize, while Southampton are 22/1 to get the two victories that would make them the first non-top flight team of the Premier League era to lift the FA Cup.
The Saints can at least take heart from the fact that they are one of eight clubs who have won the famous competition when not plying their trade in the top tier – doing so in 1976. It would be a fairytale story should they repeat the feat half a century on.
Both semi-final ties will take place on Saturday 25th April, 2026 at Wembley.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
Matt Hill is Odds Now's Head of Content and leads our digital operation, while also offering his insight as a tipster across darts and football.
Having worked in the industry for the best part of a decade, including extended stints with Betfred and LiveScore, Matt joined the project in May 2024 with the sole aim of making Odds Now a key player in the betting content space.
He has also forged a reputation as a respected darts tipster, landing numerous three-figure outright winners over the years, while his love for lower league football also helps him pick out the odd obscure winner in that space.
When not at the editorial desk, Matt enjoys travelling the country supporting his beloved Carlisle United FC, chucking a few arrows and spending time with his young family.
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West Ham scored two in the final minutes to force extra-time in their #EmiratesFACup quarter-final against Leeds United 🤯
SOUTHAMPTON LEAD LATE ON! 🤯 Shea Charles puts @SouthamptonFC in front after a brilliant team move! 📺 @BBCMOTD, @footballontnt and @SportsonMax
Erling Haaland's hat-trick powered @ManCity into the #EmiratesFACup semi-finals 👊
The draw for the #EmiratesFACup semi-finals is complete 🏆
