- Brighton were semi-finalists in last season's FA Cup 
- Wolves won four of their six games in December 
- Recommended Bets: 
- Brighton each-way to win the FA Cup 
- Wolves each-way to win the FA Cup

The FA Cup returns with the third round taking place this weekend, meaning the Premier League big guns are joining the fray.

Manchester City are defending champions, having won the FA Cup as part of their famous treble last season, but they could face fierce competition to lift the trophy this time around.

City are favourites to win the FA Cup again but there is a competitive chasing pack just behind them in the shape of Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Newcastle.

Reasons to oppose big guns in FA Cup betting

The FA Cup formed the second leg of Manchester City's treble triumph last season but Pep Guardiola's men have looked less dominant this campaign.

Keeping up in the Premier League title race has not been straightforward for the Citizens and with the Champions League to defend as well in 2024, their focus may well be elsewhere.

Arsenal will probably put the Premier League title race at the top of their priority list and they are also through to the Champions League knockout stage, so the appeal of the FA Cup may not be as strong for the Gunners either.

The same could also be said for Liverpool, who are juggling the Europa League with their Premier League title pursuit, and they face the Gunners in the third round.

Manchester United and Tottenham are simply not consistent enough and Chelsea have blown hot and cold all season, while Newcastle's form has dipped as injuries have hit the Magpies particularly hard.

With all that considered, it may be worth looking further down the betting for an FA Cup outright pick this season.

Seagulls and Wolves make most appeal

Brighton reached the semi-finals of last season's FA Cup, losing out on a place in the final to Manchester United, and they could be ready to go at least a step further under Roberto De Zerbi this campaign.

Their league performances have not been as good as last season but that may mean more focus is put on cup competitions.

Wolves are a much bigger price to lift the trophy but could also represent a bit of each-way value after enjoying a December revival under Gary O'Neil.

Prediction

Last season's FA Cup semi-finals featured outsiders in Sheffield United and Brighton and there could be more surprises in store in 2024.

This Brighton team already know what it takes to go far in the FA Cup, having come a penalty shootout away from making the final.

And they have also shown quality in the Europa League this term, topping a section made up of Marseille, Ajax and AEK Athens.

Their intelligent, possession-based approach under De Zerbi has so far served them well and with mid-table mediocrity on the cards in the Premier League, a deep run in the FA Cup may take priority in the latter stages of the season.

It is a similar story for Wolves, who also occupy a mid-table spot in the Premier League after 20 matches and the FA Cup represents their greatest chance of any success this season.

They face out-of-form Brentford in the third round and head into the game following a superb run of four wins in their last six matches.

In December, they saw off Burnley, Chelsea, Brentford and Everton and they could be worth backing as outsiders in this season's FA Cup.

Back Brighton each-way to win the FA Cup at 16/1 with LiveScore Bet.

Back Wolves each-way to win the FA Cup at 80/1 with LiveScore Bet.

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