The FA Cup Final may no longer provide the prestige end to the season seen in recent years but it remains an integral part of the football calendar. It is an important trophy and it is sure to be a thrilling encounter between two of the best teams in England right now.
For Liverpool, victory would keep the Reds on track for a historic quadruple. For Chelsea, the fans would be delighted to see some silverware following a difficult end to what had been a promising campaign.
Wembley Stadium is the destination for Saturday’s 4:45pm kick off (TV: Live on BBC1) so let’s now see what the bookies make of it all with our FA Cup Final preview and betting tips.
With better recent form and a higher league position, Liverpool will start as favourites and Jurgen Klopp’s men are quoted at evens to win in 90 minutes. Thomas Tuchel’s Chelsea can be found at 13/10 while the draw in normal time is listed at 13/5.
Those are the odds for the 90 minute result and will exclude any extra time. That means we have a separate To Lift the Trophy market where Liverpool shorten to 8/15. Chelsea are available for this bet at 13/8.
The odds may point to a clear winner but there have been upsets in each of the last two FA Cup Finals. Chelsea were on the wrong end of a defeat to unfancied Leicester City last year while 2020 also brought a loss at the hands of Arsenal. The Blues would have been favourites on both occasions.
In a one-off game, there can always be room for a surprise result but Chelsea’s patchy recent form will be a concern. They’ve taken just eight points from their last league six games while losing to Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter finals.
Liverpool are unbeaten in the Premier League since December. It all points to a victory for Klopp’s men but, if you aren’t interested in those even money odds, there are some longer-priced alternatives in the side betting.
Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah takes up his customary position as favourite to open the scoring and the Egyptian striker is quoted at best industry odds of 9/2. Sadio Mane follows at a general 5/1 while Diogo Jota is further back at a top price of 6/1. The first name from within the Chelsea camp is that of Romelu Lukaku at 15/2 while Kai Havertz is listed at a best of 7/1.
For potential options from midfield, Chelsea’s Mason Mount is one to consider at 10/1. He opened the scoring against Leeds United in midweek and now has 13 goals for the season.
Away from the player betting, Both Teams to Score is predictably short for this match with many outlets offering 7/10. If you want to take the No vote on BTTS (Both Teams To Score), this jumps to best odds of 23/20.
On to Total Combined Goals now and a stake Above the 2.5 line is quoted at 5/6 in most places. If we lift that one place to Over 3.5, we can claim best odds of 11/5. If you think this will be a cagey Wembley final, Under 2.5 goals is the place to be at evens.
The section finishes with our regular Correct Score suggestions. If you think that the bookies have got this right then you could consider a 3-1 win for Liverpool which is on offer at 15/1, the same scoreline in favour of Chelsea doubles to 30/1 while a 2-2 draw is available at 13/1.
Our FA Cup Final 2022 Preview Verdict & Betting Tips
It’s worth repeating that the form guide can be overturned in a one-off game such as this. Chelsea’s two defeats in the previous two FA Cup Finals underlines that point perfectly. That’s really the only positive for the club’s fans right now.
Since questions over club ownership began to emerge, the Blues’ form has dipped and their Champions League qualifying place, which had seemed guaranteed, was suddenly under threat. Since the start of March, Thomas Tuchel’s men have suffered heavy defeats to Arsenal and Chelsea while losing 1-0 to relegation-threatened Everton.
Liverpool have steamrollered everything in their path. OK so there has been the odd slip up and a 1-1 draw at home to Spurs may have finished their title hopes. But the big gap in form means that this preview can’t see past the favourites here.
There are some interesting options in the side markets. Wembley finals can be subdued affairs but, if both teams play to their attacking potential, this should be different. Over 3.5 goals carries a nice price of 11/5 and that’s our first confirmed tip.
In recent weeks, Sadio Mane has carried on his happy trend of scoring important goals. Mane in the anytime market also looks reasonably generous at 2/1. Remember, for the tips to convert, they must land in 90 minutes and will exclude any extra time.
So these are our FA Cup Final betting tips for this CFC vs LFC preview at best odds:
- Over 3.5 goals @ 11/5 with BetVictor.
- Sadio Mane to score at any time in 90 minutes at 2/1 with BetVictor.
Matt Harris is a football & golf writer for Just Bookies. Other sports in his portfolio of specialities include cricket. Matt has contributed to innumerable large organisations and media brands. These include: Betfair, BetVictor, USA Betting & Unibet. 