The FA Cup is the world’s oldest knockout association football competition awarded annually – except for years during World War 1 and 2 – since 1872.
With almost 150 years of history and prestige attached to it, some football clubs in England and Wales have been notably more successful in the tournament each year.
Ahead of the third round, when Premier League and Championship teams enter the competition, we take a look at the six most successful sides in FA Cup history.
Aston Villa
While Birmingham-based Aston Villa haven’t lifted the coveted trophy for over 60 years, they are one of two clubs to be seven-time winners.
Villa are currently down in the Championship for the third consecutive season as the race to reach the promised land of Premier League football is more competitive than ever.
It’s a bit of a stretch to see the Villans winning the FA Cup again this season, although they did reach the final as recently as 2015.
Liverpool
Anfield outfit Liverpool have reached 14 FA Cup finals and won seven – the last of those in 2006 on penalties against West Ham in one of the most dramatic matches in modern times.
While their conversion rate isn’t as impressive as Villa’s, the Reds are long overdue another run having last reached the final in 2012.
At 6/1 in the outright FA Cup betting for this season with bet365, Liverpool are among the leading contenders for domestic honours under Jurgen Klopp.
Tottenham
Spurs have won the FA Cup eight times from nine appearances in the final – that’s a very strong return.
Having come back from a seemingly hopeless position to advance into the Champions League knockout phase, you cannot write off Mauricio Pochettino’s team.
It is high time a bright group of Tottenham players justified the hype surrounding them, however, and won a trophy.
Spurs are 8/1 chances to lift the FA Cup this season and end a near 30-year drought into the competition.
Chelsea
Fellow London club Chelsea have been by far the most successful in this competition in recent times.
The Blues have lifted the trophy five times since 2007 and eight times in total from 13 finals appearances.
As the FA Cup holders, they have claims of emulating the side of 2009 and 2010 by retaining the title again this season at a top-price 7/1.
Manchester United
That just leaves two clubs who have made 20 appearances in the FA Cup final, and in just second place are Man Utd with 12 wins.
Five of those dozen victories came under legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson, and the Red Devils also lifted the trophy in Louis van Gaal’s last game in charge in 2016.
United were just edged out by Chelsea in last season’s final, so are obvious 9/1 contenders, despite torrid times under recently-sacked Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford
Arsenal
The Gunners are the team to beat when it comes to the FA Cup; they have contested 20 finals and come out on top 13 times.
Seven of those victories came with long-serving manager Arsene Wenger at the Emirates and Highbury helm.
As they’ve won three of the last five FA Cups on offer, don’t discount his successor Unai Emery from landing silverware. Arsenal a tasty top-price at 10/1 to reign again at Wembley.
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