FA Cup fifth-round odds: Can Wrexham, Wolves and Newcastle provide the shock factor?

The FA Cup’s fifth-round draw has thrown up three ties that traders believe could still spring a cupset, and the numbers suggest the underdogs have every right to believe.

At Molineux on Friday night Wolves entertain Liverpool for the second time in four days after Tuesday’s eye-catching 2-1 league win. Rob Edwards’ side, anchored to the bottom of the Premier League, are 4/1 to repeat the dose and send the holders out of the competition as well. Arne Slot’s rotation policy—forced by next week’s Champions League trip to Galatasaray—could open the door for 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha, priced at 9/4 to score anytime, while Federico Chiesa, on 21/10, is another likely starter. History also points to goals: the last four Wolves-Liverpool fixtures at Molineux have breached the 2.5 mark, a trend offered at 4/7 to continue.

Saturday’s glamour tie pits Hollywood-owned Wrexham against Chelsea at a sold-out Racecourse Ground. Phil Parkinson’s promotion-chasing side have already accounted for Nottingham Forest and Ipswich Town this winter and have won six of their last nine on home turf. Chelsea, drifting to two wins in five, are still 2/5 to advance, yet their solitary clean sheet in the last ten outings invites a both-teams-to-score punt at 6/10. Liam Delap, who created three of the Blues’ four goals in the previous round, is 4/5 to register a goal or assist again.

Newcastle’s reward for Wednesday’s ten-man triumph over Manchester United is a visit from Manchester City, unbeaten in ten matches and winners of 14 of the last 20 against the Magpies. With both sides coming off draining league assignments, expect an open contest: Newcastle have scored and conceded in 11 consecutive games, while City are 8/11 to notch at least twice. Antoine Semenyo, buoyant after nine goal involvements in a dozen matches since his Bournemouth switch, is 9/5 to add to his tally, and Erling Haaland could make a timely return from injury.

The bookmakers still favour the heavyweights, yet the combined 10/1 available on Wolves, Wrexham and Newcastle all advancing highlights why the FA Cup’s fifth round remains English football’s most tantalising weekend.