Following their penalty shootout loss to Real Madrid in the Champions League midweek, Manchester City aims to rebound against Chelsea, who are undefeated in their last eight games across all competitions.
The FA Cup semi-final weekend takes the spotlight on the English football calendar, with two of the nation’s most successful teams poised to clash at Wembley on Saturday.
Match Preview
Chelsea has reached five of the last seven FA Cup finals, winning only once. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola’s squad has secured two victories in the previous five finals.
Despite dominating possession with 68% and recording 33 shots during regular time and extra time, Guardiola’s team succumbed to a 4-3 defeat on penalties, with Bernardo Silva and Mateo Kovacic failing to convert from the spot.
Nonetheless, Manchester City has not suffered a defeat in regulation time in their last 28 matches across all competitions, securing 22 victories during this period.
In the FA Cup, Guardiola’s side has netted 14 goals across four victories this season, averaging 3.5 goals per game, defeating Huddersfield, Tottenham, Luton, and Newcastle.
On the other hand, Chelsea enters Saturday’s clash following a resounding 6-0 victory over Everton, with Cole Palmer scoring four goals at Stamford Bridge.
This win extends Chelsea’s unbeaten streak to eight matches across all competitions, with five victories and three draws since their last loss.
Moreover, Mauricio Pochettino’s side has lost only one of their previous 12 games, experiencing a 1-0 defeat to Liverpool in the EFL Cup final back in February.
It’s noteworthy that Chelsea has won four matches and drawn one in the FA Cup this season, scoring 14 goals in total, averaging 2.8 goals per game.
Head-to-Head:
Manchester City and Chelsea have played to two draws in the Premier League this season, including an exciting eight-goal thriller at Stamford Bridge.
They have met in the FA Cup five times since 2013, with Chelsea winning two of the last three meetings, while City has claimed victory in three of the previous five.
Team News & Updates:
Manchester City has no new injury concerns ahead of the semi-finals, boasting a fully-fit squad.
Contrastingly, Chelsea faces numerous injury setbacks, with Reece James, Wesley Fofana, Romeo Lavia, Christopher Nkunku, Levi Colwill, Enzo Fernandez, and Lesley Ugochukwu sidelined.
Prediction & Analysis:
With Manchester City’s formidable attacking prowess and Chelsea’s defensive vulnerabilities, our prediction leans towards a high-scoring affair.
Expect City to capitalize on their attacking firepower and secure victory with over 2.5 goals, reaffirming their status as favorites in this FA Cup semi-final clash.
- Manchester City 3-1 Chelsea
