The FA Cup is one of the most sought-after pieces of silverware in sport and it takes place on annual basis. Teams from the top two tiers enter the competition at the third round stage (January) but the tournament begins several months earlier with a number of semi-professional and Football League sides battling for their place in the next round throughout the early stages of the season.

Over the years, a number of unfancied sides have made it all the way through to the latter stages of competition but the FA Cup is generally won by one of the top six sides in the Premier League and the implied probability of the betting odds suggests that this pattern is likely to continue in 2018/19.

Understandably, Manchester City have been priced up as the favourites for success for this year’s event with Pep Guardiola’s all-conquering side looking to add yet more silverware to their trophy cabinet. The Citizens begin as favourites and the betting odds have not changed. The probability of any of the top teams winning this season’s FA Cup tends to be shaped by their third round. Occasionally, top six Premier Leagues will draw one another during the early stages and this will affect the market substantially.

Last season, Manchester City were humbled by Wigan Athletic, losing 1-0 at the DW Stadium and despite starting as the favourites for the FA Cup, they exited in the fifth round.

Liverpool are joint second favourites to win this season’s FA Cup and the Reds’ probability has increased in recent months. They started as fourth favourites but their unbeaten start to the season and Jurgen Klopp’s squad depth will have helped their cause and their price has been shortened as a result. The Reds clearly enjoy cup football and made it to last season’s Champions League football and September’s victory at Wembley against Spurs saw the bookmakers taking a cautious approach with the Merseysiders.

Chelsea are joint second favourites alongside Liverpool with the Blues barely budging in the betting over the last three months. Last season’s victory in this competition was always going to see them installed amongst the top three but with Maurizio Sarri replacing Antonio Conte, it could be a season in which they choose to concentrate on the Premier League.

The Blues beat Manchester United at Wembley to clinch the FA Cup and Jose Mourinho’s side have had a troubled start to the Premier League. Despite their inconsistent form, they have remained steady in the FA Cup betting and the betting odds from the top sportsbooks suggests they have a good chance of reaching the latter stages for a second successive season. Last season, they were installed as the favourites following Manchester City’s exit from the competition.

Spurs are the other side who feature in BigBetBookmakers’ list of probable winners and they chances have also increased according to the latest odds. They may not have won the FA Cup since 1961 but they’ve start well in the UEFA Champions League and with a number of the key players returning from injury, it’s easy to see why they are attracting some support in the market.

Last Season

Chelsea were victorious in last season’s FA Cup with an Eden Hazard penalty proving enough to secure yet more silverware for the Blues. It was the fifth time that they have won the competition since the 2006/7 season.

Unsurprisingly, the Blues are amongst the frontrunners once again and after remaining unbeaten in the Premier League until late November, they will be difficult to knock-out of this competition.

Arsenal are a side who aren’t featured in the top five teams for the FA Cup this season and their implied probability is relatively low compared to previous years. The Gunners are under new management but they’ve won three of the last five staging’s of the FA Cup.