Which top flight teams should challenge for the FA Cup this year?

(Written by Gareth Johnson, edited by Oliver Cooper)

The second weekend of January marks a very important footballing week in the form of the third round of England's oldest domestic trophy: The FA Cup. This round introduces the clubs from England's two top tiers, and this is when it really ‘gets interesting’.

The question posed in the title of this article seems a redundant one. Surely every side in the country, let alone those at the top, strives to challenge for England’s most prestigious domestic trophy? However, recent years have seen the top sides' approach towards the cup waver, suggesting that other competitions take precedence.

Winning the Premier League, qualifying for Europe and avoiding relegation top the list of priorities for much of England's top sides. The FA Cup has become, to some teams, an unnecessary distraction. We have seen top-flight clubs' outstanding performance in the FA cup lead to a slump in league performance, and one can look no further than the 2013 Wigan Athletic side. A triumph against all odds in their Wembley FA Cup final against Manchester City contrasted with Roberto Martinez’s side face relegation just days later, following a 4-1 thumping at the Emirates.

Whilst every Premier League side should aim for silverware, the FA Cup has seen less and less attention from Premier League sides' in recent years.

At the other end of the table, ensuring their first Premiership title in 30 years led Jurgen Klopp to disregard the cup as an unnecessary distraction, using it as an opportunity to field youngsters. Of course, all the top-flight clubs would love to win the FA cup, but elimination for some would allow them to focus on their league objectives. In the case of Manchester United, Liverpool and Manchester City, securing a league title is the priority.Furthermore, qualification for Europe would suggest that the likes of Chelsea, Spurs, Everton, Arsenal and Leicester would look past the cup.

But what of the mid table clubs that are not doomed to the second tier, but not in any hope of Europe? These teams have nothing to lose and should see 2021 as a chance to claim morale-boosting silverware. In this article I shall give my opinions as to which of these ‘mid-ground’ sides should really push for a challenge in this year’s FA cup. However, I must stress that this is not a prediction; in a tournament that produces shocks and 'giant-killings', only a fool would be mad enough to try and predict a winner at this stage.

Aston Villa

The Villains have lifted the old trophy seven times in their lengthy history but last won the competition way back in 1957, falling short back in 2015 in a 4-0 loss to Arsenal in the final.

This season Aston Villa have been a completely different side to the one that just about shaded the drop last term. Savvy summer signings increased Villa’s strength in depth and brought much needed quality to a side that lacked a finishing touch to all the chances that main man Jack Grealish created for them.

Sitting 8th in the League, Villa have a real chance to challenge for a place in the Europa League. However, I feel that Villa should not feel disheartened should they fail to achieve this; being in the mix for Europe should be viewed as an accomplishment for a side many expected mid-table of at best. However, the opportunity Villa have with their newly bolstered side gives them a real chance at going for the FA cup.

Dean Smith has overseen a remarkable resurgence of his Aston Villa side that only narrowly avoided relegation last season.

Tonight’s third round tie sees Aston Villa take on the champions Liverpool at Villa Park. Villa know that this is a fixture within their grasp, having demolished the Reds 7-2 back in October and Klopp's notorious lack of attachment to the trophy could see him filed a weakened side. Regardless of his comments at Thursday’s press conference, stating his desire for a Liverpool win in order to build momentum, Klopp's men will in no doubt be looking past the cup in order to retain the league title - exit from the cup will not worry them whatsoever. Villa must seize this opportunity, vanquish the Reds, and go on to challenge for the cup.

West Ham United

2006 Runners up West Ham have had a very successful first half of the season, despite a slow start. David Moyes has shaped a side that have slim hopes of reaching Europe, but could really go on a cup run.

West Ham have proven they can gain positive results this season. They smashed highly rated Wolves at home, whilst achieving victory against Leeds at Elland Road and Everton at Goodison, saw them defy oddsmakers across the country. Additionally, earning a point against Pep’s Manchester City back in October will convince West Ham that they can stay in games against big teams, a quality vital in a competition where plucky determination mixed with a little luck prove valuable.

New signing Tomas Soucek has been a key part of West Ham's success this season.

Monday night sees the Hammers travel to Cheshire. They will face fifth-tier Stockport County, a game they should win regardless of making changes to the squad, but who knows in this competition? I sincerely doubt that West Ham will face a relegation scrap, so why not attempt to remedy the heartache of 2006? A cup run is well within the Boleyn Boys grasp.

Leeds United

The arch-entertainers of English football: Leeds United. Historically, Leeds United would fall into a category of teams in conversation for a domestic double, but those days are long gone. On the positive side, Leeds, unlike many clubs that return to England’s top flight, have settled well by playing entertaining football and scoring (as well conceding) goals a-plenty.

Argentine manager Marcelo Bielsa has managed to get the Yorkshire faithful to fall in love with football again with eye-catching, powerful football and the romance of the FA Cup is perfect for Bielsa’s boys. They have proven that they have the fire power to stay up, but certainly do not have the defensive discipline to take a European spot. A cup run would is ideal for Leeds. Leeds have scored 407 goals in the FA Cup, a fitting stat for this free-scoring side who have the capability to put five goals past fellow Premiership clubs.

Leeds have been widely praised as one of the most entertaining sides to watch in the Premier League this season.

The Whites travel to fourth tier Crawley Town, the first ever meeting of the two clubs. It is a tie they should win with ease and a springboard to start a charge to Wembley. The experience of Bielsa, having managed in so many domestic competitions in his illustrious career, will also be paramount to Leeds' chances of a successful Cup run.

Wolverhampton Wanderers

Whilst Wolves will still have their eye on European Qualification, it does not look good for them so far. Currently 13th in the Premier League and with key players injured, Wolves look a shadow of the regimented team they were last season.

Whilst Europe may be a step too far for them this time, the FA Cup brings them a fresh start at gaining silverware. If they can progress through the first couple of rounds, the return of key players (Jiminez, Marcal, Jonny, Boly and Podence) could see them go into the 6th round as a much more formidable outfit, capable of defeating the best in the land.

Wolves manager Nuno has had to rely on rotation players following injuries to key players this season.

Tonight, they face Crystal Palace at Molineux, a game well within their grasp. Nullifying the threats of Zaha and Eze would go some way to securing progression to the next round. Should this happen, Nuno should really galvanise his players to go for it in the cup. They made it to the semis back in 2019, only to throw away a two-goal lead to Watford. If they really go for it, the pack could go one further and be howling in the FA Cup final.

A point on the holders Arsenal

It has been such a strange few months for the current FA Cup holders Arsenal. After a horrendous run of seven games without a win, the gunners have won their last three matches. This has seen them go from relegation candidates to looking towards Europe. Their young manager Mikel Arteta thrilled fans with his sides performances in the cup last season, shocking both Manchester City and Chelsea to lift the coveted trophy.

In creating such a mountain to climb for their quest for Europe, the FA Cup would be a welcome triumph and may relieve some of the pressure on Arteta (although certainly not from Arsenal Fan TV!) should they not reach Europe. Arsenal have proven that they have big performances in them this season, beating both Manchester United and Chelsea. They also have a very winnable game against Steve Bruce’s Newcastle United on Saturday which could kick start their ‘back up plan’ that is the FA Cup.

Arsenal should attempt to retain the FA Cup to lighten the blow of potentially not qualifying for Europe.

Ultimately, I believe that Arteta should only go for the FA Cup as a failsafe option should mid-table league mediocracy be Arsenals fate come May. Back-to-back FA cup looks very good on a CV for an under-pressure manager!

So, there we go. Five sides who I believe the FA Cup should matter most to this season. Despite this, I refer to my earlier comment that this is by no means a prediction. Ironically, I do not believe any of these sides will win this years FA Cup. However, these are the five who I believe should regard the FA Cup as a high (if not their top) priority for the season. The beauty of this tournament is that it is full of surprises, and no team has the divine right to win it. Knowing this should inspire the 'mid-ground' teams who are lodged between a European qualification challenge and a relegation battle to endeavour to win the FA Cup.