With the FA Cup quarter-finals this weekend, I take a look at who could become victorious in the oldest football tournament in the world. Six clubs remaining in the tournament are in the Premier League with Millwall and non-league side Lincoln City rounding out the final eight teams.
The biggest surprise of the tournament is obviously non-league Lincoln City who are the first non-league club to reach this stage since 1913-14. Lincoln beat Premier League side Burnley City in the previous round. Favourites for the trophy would be Premier League leaders Chelsea.
Antonio Conte's side has dominated the league and is looking for a domestic double. The London club has a tough task against Manchester United, who have been fighting on four fronts but will be a difficult side to beat.
Can Arsenal salvage their season?
Arsenal has been dealt the easiest draw as they look for a positive return from a particularly dreadful season so far, the North London club play non-league side Lincoln City. After a battering from Bayern Munich, Arsenal will feel that the FA Cup is their last hope for any silverware, but Lincoln City has proved anything is possible. An easy road to the final could prove tricky, with most people expecting them to cruise past Lincoln. After the Quarter-Finals, Arsenal will find it tricky to reach the final.
Who will reach the final?
With Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Tottenham Hotspur, and Millwall, the other sides remaining in the competition are without a clear favourite in the tournament so it will be tough to predict who will lift the trophy.
Man City will be a tough team to beat after showing an attacking force that cannot be matched.
The Champions League has shown that City is a top European Club but they have been unpredictable in the domestic competitions.
Tottenham Hotspur has an excellent squad and should focus on finishing in the top four, but a bonus would be to add some sliverware to a trophy cabinet lacking trophies.
Finally, the three outsiders for the competition would obviously be Millwall, Lincoln City, and Middlesbrough. The Boro have an outside chance of a surprise victory but it will be tricky.
