2020-21 FA Cup winner predictions, free football betting tips & odds

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for the 2020-21 FA Cup.

Best bets

Everton
2pts 20-1 general
West Ham
1pt each-way 40-1bet365
Blackburn
1pt each-way 250-1bet365, Betway, Hills

Analysis

English football has had a more unpredictable look this season and the uncertain landscape could open the door for a big-priced winner of the FA Cup.

Between them Arsenal, Manchester United, Manchester City and Chelsea have won the FA Cup in 11 of the last 12 years. Throw Liverpool into the mix and it's 23 in 25.

But if there is a time when a break from the norm might not be such a great surprise surely this is it, and with questions over some of the biggest clubs it could pay to look for a less familiar name to be engraved on the trophy.

Market leaders may fall short

The Premier League title race has been much more competitive than in recent years with Everton, Southampton, Leicester among the teams enjoying time at the top of the division, and there is even more scope for a surprise outcome in the FA Cup, where it takes only one sub-standard performance for big clubs to suffer a knockout blow.

City are obvious contenders but their status as clear favourites looks questionable.

At their best they can be sublime, as they showed when winning 3-1 at Chelsea last Sunday, but they have had plenty of off-days and their FA Cup challenge could be undermined by the pursuit of bigger prizes.

FA Cup success is also likely to be low on the priority list for Liverpool, who face a dangerous third-round tie away to Aston Villa.

The Reds have not got past the fifth round in the last five seasons and another early exit could be on the cards if Jurgen Klopp continues his preference for utilising fringe players for domestic cup competitions.

It is easier to make a case for Chelsea despite their recent struggles.

There is not much difference in quality between the Chelsea first team and their second string and recent wobbles are unlikely to continue when the Londoners host Morecambe in the third round.

Squad strength could also assist the challenges of Tottenham and United, who may have to contend with another nine Europa League matches.

However, both clubs' chances look heavily reliant on key individuals.

Spurs are hugely dependent on Harry Kane's partnership with Heung-Min Son while United need the creative spark of Bruno Fernandes to keep them moving forward.

Two other clubs with Europa League involvements are Arsenal and Leicester, who would have to feature on any FA Cup shortlist.

However, Leicester's lack of squad strength may let them down and Arsenal look a short enough price given their poor opening half of the season.

Toffees could be tough to stop

Everton have been starved of major trophy success since winning the FA Cup in 1995 but they demonstrated huge ambition by appointing Carlo Ancelotti in December 2019 and could land a big prize in their first full season under the Italian.

The Toffees are bigger odds than Arsenal and have the advantage of not having to worry about European football.

They had a decent run in the EFL Cup, reaching the quarter-finals, and are sixth in the Premier League despite having to manage injury problems.

Key trio Allan, Lucas Digne and James Rodriguez were absent over the holiday period but Everton can get stronger as the year progresses and should be untroubled by their third-round tie at home to Championship strugglers Rotherham.

With Dominic Calvert-Lewin leading their attack they should continue to score plenty of goals and there is a fair chance of them winning the trophy for the first time since 1995, when Paul Rideout's header clinched a famous 1-0 success over Manchester United.

Don't discount Moyes's men

David Moyes was in the dugout the last time Everton reached the final – losing 2-1 to Chelsea in 2009 – and he may fancy his chances of a decent run with West Ham.

It has taken a while for Hammers' fans to take to Moyes but the Scot has won them over by steering the Londoners to tenth in the Premier League, just three points outside the top four.

Maintaining a healthy league position will be the priority but West Ham have a nice FA Cup starter away to National League Stockport and may emerge as genuine contenders.

Southampton are another side involved in the scrap for European places and could also go well at a big price if key players Danny Ings and James Ward-Prowse stay fit.

Rovers run looks possible

No club from outside the top flight have reached the final since Cardiff lost 1-0 to Portsmouth in 2008 but this is the most unusual of seasons and it is possible for a few EFL clubs to go deep into the competition.

Championship highflyers Norwich, Brentford and Bournemouth play excellent football but their involvement in the second-tier promotion race could serve as a distraction.

Mid-table Blackburn are a little further off the pace but they are the division's top scorers and can play at a high level when everything clicks.

Tony Mowbray's men start off with a home tie against League One Doncaster and could go well at a massive price.

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