The FA Cup semifinals are set, promising a slightly different spectacle this year. While frequent champions Manchester City remain contenders, they are joined by Premier League mid-tier teams. For these clubs, a trip to Wembley often signifies the tension of a playoff final rather than the FA Cup dream.
Crystal Palace secured their semifinal spot first, dominating Fulham away. Nottingham Forest endured a penalty shootout to overcome Brighton & Hove Albion.
Aston Villa enjoyed a comfortable victory on Sunday, defeating Preston North End 3-0. Manchester City faced a tougher challenge against Bournemouth, trailing at halftime after Evanilson`s goal. However, a comeback led by substitute Nico O`Reilly, who assisted Erling Haaland and scored the winner for Omar Marmoush, secured City`s place.
Semifinal Draw
- Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa
- Nottingham Forest vs. Manchester City
The matches are scheduled for the weekend of April 26th and 27th.
Crystal Palace
Best finish: Runners-up (1990, 2016) — For Palace, the absence of Manchester United in the semifinals is a positive sign. Manchester United defeated Palace in both of their previous FA Cup final appearances. Palace is still seeking a major cup title.
How they got here: Eberechi Eze delivered a standout performance in a 3-0 away win against Fulham, scoring the opener and assisting Ismaila Sarr. Eddie Nketiah added the third goal, ending a run of five 2-0 away wins in style.
Fulham was the first Premier League team Palace defeated in this FA Cup run, following wins against Stockport, Doncaster, and Millwall.
Chances of winning it: Palace might be the most in-form team remaining, having won their last five matches and boasting a strong record in 2025.
Aston Villa
Best finish: Winners (1887, 1895, 1897, 1905, 1913, 1920, 1957) — Aston Villa, a historic English club, hasn`t seen FA Cup success in recent times. They have only reached the final twice since their last win, losing to Chelsea in 2000 and Arsenal in 2015.
How they got here: Villa has navigated a demanding season to reach the semifinals impressively, defeating West Ham and Tottenham 2-1 at home. Cardiff was overcome in the round of 16. Marcus Rashford, on loan from Manchester United, scored twice in the sixth round against Preston.
Chances of winning it: Villa possesses impressive squad depth, crucial for competing on multiple fronts, including their Champions League quarterfinal campaign. The question is whether they can maintain freshness amidst a busy schedule.
Nottingham Forest
Best finish: Winners (1898, 1959) — Similar to Villa, FA Cup glory is distant for Forest. Their history in the competition is often linked to their 1991 final defeat to Tottenham under Brian Clough. Reaching the semifinal this season marks their deepest run in the FA Cup since then.
How they got here: Forest`s journey has been dramatic, starting with a 2-0 win over Luton. Subsequently, every match went the distance, with penalty shootouts victories against Exeter City, Ipswich, and Brighton.
Chances of winning it: Underestimating Nottingham Forest is risky, especially given their counter-attacking style which suits cup competitions. They have been defensively solid in the FA Cup this season.
However, their underlying performance metrics suggest they might be overperforming slightly, raising questions about their ability to continue defying expectations.
Manchester City
Best finish: Winners (1904, 1934, 1956, 1969, 2011, 2019, 2023) — A victory in May would place Manchester City alongside Chelsea, Liverpool, and Tottenham as the third most successful FA Cup teams. City has consistently reached the semifinals in recent years, but lost to Manchester United in last year`s final.
How they got here: City`s path to the semifinals has been relatively smooth, including an 8-0 win over Salford City and a comeback victory against Leyton Orient. They also defeated Plymouth Argyle and Bournemouth.
Chances of winning it: Manchester City is the strong favorite, but they haven`t consistently reached their peak form this season. Their counter-attacking style could be vulnerable against teams like Forest, Palace, and Villa.
Despite this, they remain the most likely team to win the FA Cup. An upset would be a significant story in this year`s competition.
