Joe Casey's FA Cup semi-final punting pointers: Eberechi Eze and Elliot Anderson are ones to watch at Wembley

At times in recent years, the FA Cup has felt like a formality for the bigger clubs but this year promises to be different, Aside from Manchester City the most recent winners from the final four are Nottingham Forest, who lifted the trophy in 1959. In a season which has provided plenty of shocks, there could be more to come.

Both of this weekend’s semi-finals are interesting and here we pick out some punting pointers.

Set pieces in Crystal Palace vs Aston Villa

If there has been one common theme between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa this season it is success from set plays. According to Opta, no team have scored more goals from set pieces than Palace's 15 and Villa are just one behind.

Youri Tielemans has ten assists in all competitions this term and is likely to be on set-piece duties for Unai Emery's side so looks a solid candidate to add to that tally at 6-1.

Eberechi Eze has taken the most corners for Palace this season, has 11 assists in all competitions and is 11-2 to provide another at Wembley.

Daniel Munoz card candidate

Marcus Rashford has taken plenty of plaudits since his January loan move to Aston Villa but Marco Asensio has had just as big an impact.

The Spaniard’s movement from the left flank is extremely hard to pick up as he drifts between the lines and tends to drag the right-back out of position.

That will be crucial in pinning back wing-back Daniel Munoz, who is one of Crystal Palace’s most dangerous attacking options.

Munoz has already picked up 12 bookings and is likely to have to do more defending than usual, so he looks a big runner for another card at 23-10. 

Abdukodir Khusanov may be tested

One stat that stands out the most in the game between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City is one of the most straightforward - the Tricky Trees have had the lowest possession in the Premier League this term while Pep Guardiola’s team have had the highest.

The Citizens have been uncharacteristically vulnerable to counter-attacks this term, and only Brentford, West Ham, Southampton and Leicester have allowed more fast breaks than City’s total of 36 in the league.

In addition, 45 per cent of Forest’s attacks come down their left flank, the highest of any team in the division, and right-back has been a real area of weakness for City.

Abdukodir Khusanov has not featured much recently but Guardiola may opt for his pace to shore up the right side of his defence. If he does, the young defender could pick up a caution at 4-1. Likely left-winger Anthony Elanga is 3-1 for a goal or assist.

Coming of age for Elliot Anderson

There cannot have been many better buys in the summer transfer window than Elliot Anderson, who has been a revelation in Nottingham Forest’s midfield.

Only five players have won more Premier League ground duels than his tally of 165 and he has also chipped in with six assists and two goals for the Tricky Trees.

If Nuno Espirito Santo’s team are to get the better of Manchester City, who have struggled in the centre of the pitch at times this term, Anderson is likely to be key to their success He is 7-2 to score or assist and 4-9 to make three or more tackles. 

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