The FA Cup semi-final match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa will take place on April 26 at Wembley Stadium in London. Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa: prediction and betting odds, statistics.
Crystal Palace
The Londoners have comfortably progressed through all the rounds of this FA Cup edition. However, it's worth noting that they were fortunate with the draw, as their opponents in the first three stages were from the lower English divisions. Oliver Glasner's side only faced a Premier League representative in the quarter-final, yet they easily handled Fulham, defeating their city rivals 3-0 at their stadium. If Crystal Palace wins this match, they will replicate their club achievements from 1990 and 2016, when they reached the final of this tournament.
- No more than three goals have been scored in 7 of Crystal Palace's last 8 FA Cup matches.
- At least one team failed to score in 5 of Crystal Palace's last 6 outings in this tournament.
- The club has not conceded in the first half in 8 of their last 11 FA Cup encounters.
Predicted lineup for Crystal Palace (5-3-2)
Dean Henderson – Chris Richards, Maxence Lacroix, Marc Guehi, Daniel Munoz, Tyrick Mitchell – Jefferson Lerma, Adam Wharton, Eberechi Eze – Ismaila Sarr, Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Defender Chadi Riad and midfielder Cheick Doucoure will not play this season due to injuries.
Aston Villa
The Birmingham side last won this tournament's trophy in 1957. Since then, the club has only reached the final twice – in 2000 and 2015. This season, the team has a chance to finally win the FA Cup, having confidently passed all four rounds. Unai Emery's side faced Premier League teams early in the tournament, defeating West Ham and Tottenham at their stadium (both times with a 2-1 score). In the subsequent stages of the current FA Cup edition, the opponents were easier: a home win over Cardiff (2-0) and an away victory against Preston (3-0).
- Aston Villa has not lost in 6 of their last 7 games in this tournament (5 wins and 1 draw).
- The club has not conceded more than one goal in 6 of their last 7 FA Cup matches.
- The Birmingham side has not been defeated in the second half of their last seven matches in this tournament (4 wins and 3 draws).
Predicted lineup for Aston Villa (4-3-3)
Emiliano Martinez – Ezri Konsa, Lucas Digne, Matty Cash, Tyrone Mings – Jacob Ramsey, Youri Tielemans, Boubacar Kamara – Marcus Rashford, Marco Asensio, Morgan Rogers.
Referee
Anthony Taylor (England)
Matches – 30 (Premier League and FA Cup, 2024/25);
Yellow cards shown (including second yellows) – 90;
Average yellow cards per match – 3;
Red cards shown – 7;
Average fouls per match – 22;
Penalties – 27%.
Match Prediction: Crystal Palace vs. Aston Villa
The nominal guests are considered favorites in the upcoming semi-final, yet the London team should not be underestimated. Oliver Glasner's side has shown commendable football at times this season and lost their chances to finish in the European competition zone only in April. The Londoners have no tournament motivation at the end of the championship, allowing them to focus entirely on the FA Cup, unlike the Birmingham side, who still have a battle ahead for a Champions League spot in the Premier League.
Moreover, Crystal Palace has not lost to Aston Villa in four consecutive head-to-head encounters in the Premier League and the English League Cup. Over the last year, the Londoners have defeated their opponent three times, with one match ending in a draw. Notably, two victories were by a large margin, and Oliver Glasner's side scored at least two goals in all these encounters.
Goals are expected from both Crystal Palace and Aston Villa, as Unai Emery's side has been very strong in attack this season, not leaving the field without scoring in their last 17 official matches. At least three goals have been scored in all of Birmingham's last nine games in the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup.
My prediction – Total over 2.5 goals
