The FA Cup’s magic has struck again, this time involving arguably the best team in world football – Liverpool – crumbling at the hands of the underdog Plymouth Argyle, who play in the lower-tier Championship league. With Chelsea, Tottenham Hotspur, and Arsenal also eliminated, could this be the year of the giant killers?
Plymouth Argyle vs. Liverpool
For an underdog team to upset one of the supposed giants, they would need a significant amount of luck, and that’s precisely what Plymouth Argyle had. Despite Liverpool dominating possession (75%) and outshooting their opponents (14-10), the Pilgrims emerged victorious.
However, a deeper dive into the numbers reveals an even more intriguing story. Liverpool completed more passes in their own half (259) than the hosts (237), but their open-play shot creation was stunted. Plymouth’s lone goal came from the penalty spot after Harvey Elliot was deemed to have handled the ball in the box, with Ryan Hardie calmly slotting the ball past Caoimhín Kelleher.
The underlying statistics show that Plymouth Argyle deserved all the praise they received for their performance, as they outperformed the heavily favored Liverpool side.
Leyton Orient vs. Manchester City
Leyton Orient, also facing 14/1 odds, tried to replicate Plymouth Argyle’s giant-killing act, but Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City ultimately proved too strong. Despite the hosts leading for 40 minutes, City’s “B team” was able to secure a 2-1 victory, showcasing their depth and quality.
The victory means that Manchester City now emerges as the 5/2 favorites to win the FA Cup, with the competition potentially being their best chance at silverware this season as they face a tough Champions League draw against Real Madrid.
Birmingham vs. Newcastle
Newcastle (8/15) and Aston Villa (8/13) entered their respective matches as betting favorites, and their performances suggested the tipsters had it right. The Magpies had to work harder than expected to secure their progression to the fifth round, but their attacking superiority ultimately secured a 3-2 victory.
With the pressure on Eddie Howe to secure a Champions League spot, Newcastle’s 5/1 odds to lift the FA Cup trophy seem enticing, especially when combined with their thrilling performance against Birmingham.
Aston Villa vs. Tottenham Hotspur
Aston Villa earned a well-deserved 2-1 victory against a Tottenham Hotspur side that was one more injury away from fielding a makeshift starting lineup. The underlying chances created by both teams (2.06 xG for Villa, 1.13 for Spurs) reflect the hosts’ deserved win.
Unai Emery’s tactical acumen in knockout competitions and Villa’s squad depth make their 7/1 odds to capture the FA Cup seem quite enticing.
Manchester United vs. Leicester City
After their somewhat controversial 2-1 victory over Leicester City, Manchester United sit between Newcastle and Villa with the third-best odds of winning the Cup at 6/1. The Red Devils’ unpredictable performances under Ruben Amorim make them a wildcard in the competition, so brace yourself if you decide to wager on these odds.
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(Photo of Ryan Hardie: Dan Mullan / Getty Images)
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