Ace Football previews the FA Cup match between Chelsea and Manchester City and offers betting tips, odds, line-ups, and team news.
The first of two FA Cup semi-finals for this weekend takes place on Saturday evening as Chelsea and Manchester City lock horns.
Hopes of a continental or domestic double will be on the line. Both clubs can at least win one other competition, having each progressed to the Champions League last-four stage midweek.
A tight affair awaits as arguably two of the most in-form sides in Europe compete for a spot in the FA Cup final. City are the slight favorites to win, but Chelsea are tough to break down and going strong under a new manager ahead of this blockbuster clash at Wembley.
Chelsea Form & Stats
A 2-1 aggregate victory over Porto sealed a first Champions League semi-final spot since 2014. It marked yet another impressive feat from Thomas Tuchel. The Chelsea boss has led the club from ninth-place in January to fifth in the Premier League, and could now achieve something not even Jurgen Klopp has done in being the first German coach to reach an FA Cup final.
Saturday, however, is probably Tuchel’s greatest challenge yet. Chelsea need to get it right on both ends of the pitch to stand a chance to beat City. Their defense has unquestionably been solid, but can they be equally impressive in the attack?
A blistering start in last weekend’s 4-1 win over Crystal Palace suggests so.
The pressure will be on either way. The Blues may have an unfavorable record against City in the FA Cup, but they’re gunning for a fourth appearance in the final in five seasons and have the quality to pull it off.
Key Team Stats
- Lost 2 of their last 4 games in all competitions (W2).
- Won 7 of their last 8 FA Cup semi-final ties, losing only to Manchester City in 2013.
- Reached the FA Cup final 4 times in the last 5 seasons.
- Over 2.5 goals in their last 3 games against Manchester City in all competitions.
- Thomas Tuchel has failed to beat Pep Guardiola in their 5 showdowns so far (D2 L3).
- Tammy Abraham is the FA Cup’s joint-top scorer on 4 goals alongside Tom Nichols (Crawley), Gary Madine (Blackpool), and Alfie May (Cheltenham Town).
Manchester City Form & Stats
28 wins in 30 games in all competitions (L2) is incredible, to say the least. City have been on another level to keep dreams of an unprecedented quadruple alive. That said, it’s still early days. And if last weekend’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds proved anything, it’s that even Pep Guardiola’s side can be exposed.
The Citizens, of course, boast a solid head-to-head record with Chelsea. They won 3-1 last time out in the Premier League in January, extending their run to six wins in nine meetings across all competitions (D1 L2), and are unbeaten in their three encounters with the Blues at the new Wembley.
Kevin De Bruyne, meanwhile, could be key in unlocking the Chelsea defense. The Belgian has been in superb form recently, having scored four goals in his last six appearances, and has impressed in the FA Cup.
Key Team Stats
- Won 28 of their last 30 games in all competitions (L2).
- Won 6 of their last 9 games against Chelsea in all competitions (D1 L2).
- Unbeaten in 3 encounters with Chelsea at the new Wembley.
- Lost 2 of their last 4 FA Cup semi-finals under Pep Guardiola to Arsenal in 2017 and 2020.
- Failed to score in only 4 of their 50 games this season.
- Kevin De Bruyne has managed 4 goals and 5 assists in his last 8 FA Cup appearances.
Team News
Chelsea
Out: Mateo Kovacic, Andreas Christensen.
Doubts: N/A.
Manchester City
Out: Sergio Aguero.
Doubts: N/A.
Predicted Line-ups
(Note: The image will change to the official XI once they’re both announced)
Head-To-Head Record (FA Cup only)
Below are some head-to-head stats on each team’s recent form in the FA Cup.
Betting Tips
* DC: X2 – Double Chance on Away Team (Manchester City)
More Odds
Be sure not to miss out on the latest news about FA Cup
Download our brand new App and follow your favorite players, clubs, and much more
