FA Cup 2025 – 5 Dark Horses
The FA Cup has come to be dominated by the biggest teams in the Premier League in recent years but there have been some underdogs to reach the final, including Watford, Crystal Palace and Hull.
Wigan also famously upset the apple cart to win the competition in 2013 and with this season looking the most wide open that English football has been for some time, it could be the year for a dark horse to succeed in the FA Cup.
FA Cup 2025 – Aston Villa
While Aston Villa are right on the brink of what could be described as a dark horse, their dismal record in the FA Cup means they are a big price to lift the trophy.
Since reaching the 2015 final the Villans have won just two of their 12 games in this competition. However, their early success in the Champions League proves that they can compete with anyone on their day.
Unai Emery has made his career from successes in knockout competitions, winning the Europa League four times as well as the Coupe de France and Coupe de la Ligue, and he could lead his current side to FA Cup glory.
FA Cup 2025 – Nottingham Forest
Nottingham Forest have not won the FA Cup since 1959 but, after their red-hot start to the Premier League season, they could have a live chance this time around.
The Tricky Trees are currently third in the Premier League after winning 11 of their 19 games and with no European football or EFL Cup action to focus on, they can dedicate their attention to England’s two biggest competitions.
A third-round tie against a struggling Luton shouldn’t hold too many concerns and the sky has been the limit for Nuno Espirito Santo’s team this season.
FA Cup 2025 – Middlesbrough
Middlesbrough reached the semi-finals of the EFL Cup last season and were quarter-finalists in the FA Cup as recently as 2022, losing to Chelsea on both occasions.
They are in the midst of a Championship promotion race but have shown their abilities in cup competitions in recent years and a third-round clash with Blackburn could have been worse.
Boro have been progressive under Michael Carrick and they could outrun their current odds.
FA Cup 2025 – Preston North End
Preston North End have reached the final of the FA Cup seven times in their history but 1964 was the last time they managed that feat.
Their midtable status in the Championship means they don’t jump off the paper for cup success but they have been hard to beat this term, something which helps greatly in knockout competitions, and should be able to get the better of Charlton in the third round.
FA Cup 2025 – Birmingham
A team from the third division of English football has never won the FA Cup but nobody in the third tier had spent £15 million on a player until Birmingham bought Jay Stansfield this summer.
The Blues are on track to top League One and a third-round tie against Lincoln should be little imposition. They could also outrun their huge odds.
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