Chelsea meet Manchester City in the opening semi-final of 2020-21 FA Cup at Wembley Stadium.
Chelsea are bidding to reach a fourth final in the last five seasons, whereas Man City are looking to avoid a second consecutive exit at this stage of the competition.
Team News
Mateo Kovacic is Chelsea’s only absentee after suffering a hamstring injury in training, which forced him to sit out Tuesday’s Champions League loss to Porto although the Blues prevailed on aggregate to advance to the last four.
Man City have no fresh injury concerns to report as Sergio Aguero looks set to remain absent with a muscle injury.
Stat Attack
- Chelsea have won just two of six previous FA Cup ties against Manchester City (W2, L4).
- Man City won their only previous semi-final clash against Chelsea in the FA Cup, beating the West London club 2-1 in April 2013 before going on to lose that season’s Final to Wigan.
- One of Chelsea’s 10 FA Cup goals this season was scored as an own goal, courtesy of Oliver Norwood in their Quarter-Final win over Sheffield Utd.
- Seven of City’s 11 FA Cup goals this season have come after half time.
- Mike Dean is refereeing a FA Cup game involving Chelsea and Man City this season for the first time.
Prediction
Having largely fielded a strong lineup in Tuesday’s defeat to Porto in which they only registered one shot on target, it will be interesting to see if Thomas Tuchel rings the changes given that Timo Werner and Callum Hudson-Odoi didn’t feature in midweek.
I however feel that we could see the XI that thrashed Crystal Palace last Saturday starting here, because they were so dominant in terms of pressing and end product which is what is needed to trouble Man City.
Speaking of City, they will certainly be favourites given their FA Cup form against Chelsea but will need to raise their end product which has dipped in their last two matches and will be a slight concern against a team of Chelsea’s quality.
Focusing on this match itself, I definitely wouldn’t be surprised if we see a cagey first half but if City can find that first goal, this should be a comfortable result but if Chelsea come out and are able to force gaps in City’s defence then I can see them taking the win.
Either way this should be a cracker to lift the nation’s spirits after the Duke of Edinburgh’s funeral just mere hours beforehand, and I am going to plump for a tight City win.
Prediction: Chelsea 1-2 Manchester City
Result: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester City
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