FA Cup betting tips: Fifth round preview

We have reached the fifth round of the 2024/25 FA Cup, meaning just 16 clubs are still in the running to win the famous old trophy this season.

Manchester City are favourites, understandably, considering they are playing at home against Championship side Plymouth. But having knocked out Liverpool, why should the visitors fear City?

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Any of the sides still in the competition know that if they win this weekend, they are just one game from a day out at Wembley Stadium. 

Bournemouth vs Wolves betting tips

This fixture took place in the Premier League last weekend. Wolves won 1-0, though they were aided by Bournemouth’s defensive lynchpin Illia Zabarnyi being sent off in just the 31st minute. 

While that result was an upset, the head-to-head history favours whichever side has been on the road, as the away team has won the last five meetings. 

Wolves’ erratic form makes backing them to repeat their recent win at the Vitality Stadium a risky selection, though.

It is hard to know how each manager will approach this. The Cherries have lost three of their last five matches, suggesting their enormous injury list might have finally taken a toll on a squad that was performing incredibly well despite numerous absentees. 

Bournemouth have a strong chance of qualifying for Europe so will Andoni Iraola take any unnecessary risks here?

Wolves have the opposite problem, with relegation still a threat even if the three sides below them look largely incapable of winning one game, never mind several. 

For both, the pressure of their league targets will be off. In that light, it makes sense to expect several goals. The penultimate meeting ended 4-2 to Bournemouth and a similar level of action wouldn’t be a surprise.

Scoreline prediction

Bournemouth 2-1 Wolves (6/1 with Mr.Play)

FIRST’s top tip:

Both teams to score and over 2.5 goals (43/50 with Zetbet)

Newcastle vs Brighton betting tips

This should be the most entertaining match of the fifth round with this sentiment being shared in our weekly acca FA Cup special too!

Newcastle and Brighton are enjoying similar seasons. They are separated by just one point in the Premier League table. 

Both will have an eye on playing in Europe next season, maybe even the Champions League if English clubs receive five qualifying spots as looks likely. 

Their meeting at the Amex Stadium in early May could prove a decisive fixture in both teams’ pursuit of that goal. 

When they met at St. James’ Park in October, the Seagulls flew home with the three points, winning 1-0 thanks to a strike from Danny Welbeck. 

While that match was low on goals, both sides had four Opta-defined big chances, with Newcastle edging the shots on target count by six to five. The score line should have been much higher.

We can expect more goals on Sunday. There have been at least four in half of Brighton’s away league games in 2024/25, with only Leicester having a higher rate for this in the top flight.

A bet on over 3.5 goals has paid out in five of the Seagulls’ last six away games in all competitions, while Newcastle’s last home game hit that mark in just the 33rd minute. 

Scoreline prediction

Newcastle Utd 3-1 Brighton (13/1 with Spreadex)

FIRST’s top tip:

Over 3.5 goals (7/5 with BetMGM)

Manchester United vs Fulham betting tips

Manchester United and Fulham met at Old Trafford in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup two years ago. 

It was going well for the visitors, who were a goal up in the second half. They then received two red cards which handed the initiative to United, who eventually went on to win 3-1.

The Whites have also lost four of the five meetings since then. However, they won the other in Manchester last February. 

They have also been unfortunate in two of the defeats they suffered at Craven Cottage – one needed a 91st minute goal from Bruno Fernandes, the most recent saw United take just four shots in the whole match.

The underlying expected goal data favours Fulham, suggesting they are the likelier to win this game. Having won five of their last six away matches, including the last four in a row, the form book also looks good for the visitors.

And can you back a United side that has lost five of their last nine games at home, needing very late goals to overcome Southampton, Rangers and Leicester? Hardly. This will be painted as a shock if Fulham win, but it won’t be surprising at all.

Scoreline prediction

Manchester Utd 1-2 Fulham (8/1 with Vegasland)

FIRST’s top tip:

Draw no bet: Fulham (21/20 with BetMGM)

Nottingham Forest vs Ipswich betting tips

At the end of last season, Nottingham Forest and Ipswich were only separated by four clubs in the league structure despite being in different divisions. 

That feels hard to believe when you look at the current Premier League table. 

The teams meet in the Premier League at Portman Road in mid-March, which will be a crucial fixture for their respective aims this season. Ipswich will hope to gain revenge for the 1-0 defeat they suffered at the City Ground in November. 

Their problem both for that match and this one, is that Forest have generally scored more goals when playing the strugglers this season. 

Forest have scored three goals against Manchester United, West Ham, Wolves, Leicester and Southampton, making their narrow victory over Ipswich an exception.

And while the Tractor Boys only lost 1-0 at Arsenal, they’ve conceded six in total to Liverpool, four in one game against Newcastle and 10 in their two matches versus Manchester City. This should be a high-scoring home win. 

Scoreline prediction

Nottingham Forest 3-1 Ipswich Town (10/1 with Bet442)

FIRST’s top tip:

Nottingham Forest win and over 2.5 goals (3/2 with Luckster)

Quick scoreline predictions

Aston Villa 3-1 Cardiff (23/2 with Matchbook)

Crystal Palace 2-1 Millwall (15/2 with Mr.Play)

Preston 0-1 Burnley (4/1 with Vegasland)

Manchester City 4-0 Plymouth (6/1 with Spreadex)

Odds correct at the time of writing.