The favourites to win the 2023/24 FA Cup - ranked
- The 2023/24 FA Cup is well underway with the fourth-round draw having taken place
- Current holders Man City are among the favourites to retain their title
- The likes of Brighton and West Ham could spring a surprise in the competition
As the rounds tick by and the pool of participating teams dwindles, things are starting to heat up in England's oldest domestic competition.
We have already seen some intriguing match-ups and impressive underdog tales in the 2023/24 FA Cup, but come May it will likely be the same old faces competing for the trophy.
Current holders Manchester City are still in the competition, as are the majority of the Premier League big boys. However, record winners Arsenal have already been dumped out, with more shocks likely to follow.
Here are the ten favourites to win the 2023/24 FA Cup - ranked.
10. Everton
Everton haven't won a trophy since 1995, but the last major piece of silverware they claimed was indeed the FA Cup. The Toffees are unlikely to win the competition in all honesty, but their gritty displays under Sean Dyche give them an outside shot at glory.
After a goalless draw with Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park, Everton are still waiting on their spot in the fourth round. That means that the Merseyside club will need to navigate a replay with the Eagles, although they will have the advantage of Goodison Park.
Everton have been in impressive recent form, even making the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup earlier this season. If it hadn't been for some wayward penalties in their shootout with Fulham, they would have made the final four.
9. West Ham United
West Ham United also need to negotiate an unwanted replay, with the Irons only managing a 1-1 draw with Championship Bristol City in the third round. David Moyes' men will have to go to Ashton Gate as they look to secure their fourth-round spot.
West Ham have shown their capabilities in knockout competitions, winning the Europa Conference League at the end of last season. They also made it to the quarter-final of this year's Carabao Cup but were ruthlessly dumped out by Liverpool.
The Hammers have already beaten Arsenal twice this season, as well as securing victories against Manchester United and Chelsea. It would be foolish to rule them out.
8. Brighton
Roberto De Zerbi's Brighton can cause any side problems on their day, having already taken points off Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur this season.
With a fourth-round FA Cup tie at Premier League strugglers Sheffield United, the Seagulls will fancy their chances of progressing to the last 16.
The south coast side did make the semi-final of the FA Cup last season, only losing to Manchester United on penalties. Could they go a few steps further this year?
7. Chelsea
Already in the semi-final of the Carabao Cup - where they will be strong favourites to make it to Wembley given they face Middlesbrough - Chelsea may fancy their chances of an FA Cup run as well this season.
However, the Blues do face a tricky fourth-round tie against Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge, a fixture they have already lost in the Premier League this campaign.
The Blues have also been terribly unpredictable under Mauricio Pochettino, something that could be their undoing in the FA Cup.
6. Manchester United
Similarly to Chelsea, Manchester United have been far from their best this season, especially given the quality they possess within their squad. Erik ten Hag is already under pressure, but a nice FA Cup run could do him and his side the world of good.
Last season's Carabao Cup winners and FA Cup runners-up have showcased their ability to go deep in knockout competitions, even if they are struggling for form this term.
Man Utd have a favourable fourth-round draw, facing either Newport County or National League Eastleigh on the road.
5. Tottenham Hotspur
Tottenham are enduring a pretty barren run in terms of trophies, with the Lilywhites last winning the League Cup in 2008. Since then, there have been a few close calls, but Spurs have never managed to get the monkey off their back.
A home tie with holders Manchester City suggests that their trophyless run may continue, but there is a new energy in north London under Ange Postecoglou, with Spurs having frequently exhibited their quality and determination this season.
If one man can bring Tottenham silverware, it may just be the Australian. Plus, Spurs enjoy a pretty formidable record against the Cityzens in recent times and will have home advantage for the fourth-round clash.
4. Aston Villa
Having squeezed past Middlesbrough in the third round, high-flying Villa have set up a tie with Chelsea. The Midlands club will travel to Stamford Bridge in the next round, a ground they have already tasted victory at this season in the league.
Unai Emery's side have been magnificent this campaign while gatecrashing the Premier League title race. The Villans have beaten Man City and Arsenal already this term (in the same week), so won't be nervous about any future opponent.
Villa have won the FA Cup seven times, albeit six of those came before World War II.
3. Newcastle United
The Magpies were probably the side who enjoyed their third-round victory most, beating local rivals Sunderland 3-0 at the Stadium of Light in the Tyne-Wear derby.
After a significant build-up to the game, Newcastle ultimately eased to a comfortable victory, booking a trip to Fulham in the next round. With the Cottagers having just played a Carabao Cup semi-final second leg prior to their fourth-round clash, the Magpies will be favourites travelling to London.
Newcastle reached the Carabao Cup final last season, losing to Man Utd 2-0 at Wembley. However, the Magpies haven't won a domestic cup since 1955.
2. Liverpool
Having beaten 14-time FA Cup winners Arsenal at the Emirates in the third round, Liverpool will be a tricky team for anyone to stop. The Reds have sparkled under Jurgen Klopp this season and have the benefit of a home tie in the next round against either Norwich City or Bristol Rovers.
Liverpool are already in the Carabao Cup semi-final and will fancy their chances of doing another domestic cup double, as they did during the 2021/22 season.
If the Reds can welcome back some of their injured and unavailable personnel as they progress through the competition, they have every chance of winning a ninth FA Cup.
1. Manchester City
You would be brave to bet against the current FA Cup holders, even if they do face a challenging trip to Spurs in the fourth round. Man City began their defence of the trophy with an emphatic 5-0 win over Huddersfield Town and have every chance of retaining their title this year.
Man City have won the trophy twice in the last five seasons, beating city rivals Man Utd last year at Wembley. Having won the FA Cup seven times before, the only thing stopping Pep Guardiola's side is complacency.
If they can make it past Tottenham in the fourth round, they will fancy their chances of going all the way to the final.
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