The FA Cup has a special place in the hearts of football fans, with the tournament regularly producing stories which etch their place in the sport’s folklore.
Famed for shock results, the FA Cup gives smaller clubs lower down the pyramid the opportunity to pit their wits against the giants of English football.
However, if you plan on wagering on the winner of the tournament on football betting sites, it generally pays to focus on the top Premier League clubs.
Arsenal (5), Chelsea (5), Manchester City (3), Manchester United (2) and Liverpool (2) have won 17 of the last 20 FA Cup finals.
Only Portsmouth, Wigan Athletic and Leicester City have bucked the trend during that period, and they were all top flight clubs when they achieved the feat.
Just two second tier clubs have reached the FA Cup final in the last 20 years – Millwall (2003/04) and Cardiff City (2007/08).
Chelsea have reached nine finals, winning five, while Arsenal have won each of the five finals they have contested over the same period.
On that basis, covering both teams to equal stakes on UK betting apps should give you a run for your money and deliver a profit if either of them lifts the trophy.
Aston Villa are a tempting proposition at longer odds, although they have been handed a tricky tie at Middlesbrough in the third round.
