The FA Cup is the classic football competition. It is the oldest in the world, commencing nearly 140 years ago.

It is also the most compelling, mainly due to the fact that an astonishing number of clubs - from the giants of England through to small county-based teams - can compete. The 2007-08 season saw the acceptance of a record 731 teams. 

The last final saw the two most powerful teams in English football - Chelsea and Manchester United - compete for the title, in which the Blues won their fourth trophy. But this year the giants will not feature, with finalists Portsmouth themselves eliminating the Red Devils at Old Trafford. Wembley Stadium will host the final on the May 17 when not only is the famous cup up for grabs, but a berth in the UEFA Cup.

'Both clubs have had over 80 seasons in the cup and, until this year, have never faced each other in the competition'


Cardiff City defeated Barnsley to make it through to the final, and their path was not easy. In the third round, they had a mighty scare from Chasetown. The Southern League Midland Division had just knocked out Port Vale to become the lowest-ranked club ever to make it that far. A crowd of just over 2,000 packed into the Scholars ground, and saw the non-leaguers take a lead after the Bluebirds' Kevin McNaughton scored an own goal.

The final would have seemed a distant dream for the Cardiff supporters at that point, but eventually their class showed and they ran out 3-1 winners against the giant-killers. Cardiff manager Dave Jones would have been immensely relieved.

Portsmouth were a little more assured in their path, beating Plymouth in the fourth round before embarking on two tough road games, beating Preston and then the mighty Manchester United. Niko Kranjcar then scored the winner with a thunderous crowd support to beat West Bromwich Albion in the semis.

Cardiff City last won the FA Cup in 1927, and the Bluebirds finished the season 12th in the Championship. Pompey are currently eighth in the Premier League and were last winners in 1939.

Cardiff, originally “Riverside FC”, first entered the cup in the 1910 season. They reached the final in 1925, but went down to Sheffield United. Two years later they returned to Wembley to beat a strongly-fancied Arsenal side and take the cup out of England.

Portsmouth began life in 1898 and lost the final in 1929 and 1934. They returned in 1939 to record a stunning 4-1 triumph over the heavily-favoured Wolves.

Both clubs have had over 80 seasons in the Cup and, until this year, have never faced each other in the competition.

It has been an FA Cup for the underdogs so far this season, but Pompey will likely be too strong for the Bluebirds at Wembley. My prediction? Sol Campbell and Portsmouth to win 3-1.