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| Erling Haaland is a big doubt for the FA Cup clash between Chelsea and Manchester City at Wembley on Saturday but, the holders have enough depth to prosecute the encounter. (Photo credit: GOAL) |
Manchester City and Chelsea will square up on Saturday in the first semifinal of the FA Cup at Wembley, with the holders looking to bounce back from the penalty shootout pain of Wednesday night.
The Blues can end City’s quest to salvage what is left of their treble after Bernardo Silva and Matteo Kovacic both lost their penalties in the quarter-final clash against Real Madrid after the game ended 1-1 over 120 minutes.
Chelsea destroyed Everton on Monday, continuing their great run of results whenever they play on Monday, but, as we have come to know of the Blues this season, they hardly turn up for games on a consecutive basis.
Manchester City gave their all in their Champions League loss to Los Blancos, but they are still the favourites to land the Premier League title as they lead Arsenal and Liverpool by two points after the latter two conjured losses last weekend.
Pep Guardiola confirms that Kevin De Bruyne is fit and available for selection, but Erling Haaland is a big doubt with a muscle injury. Trust the Spaniard to go full strength against Chelsea; it’s a game he cannot afford to lose.
Axel Disasi, Enzo Fernandes, and Raheem Sterling are all fit and available for selection, but Reece James and Carney Chukwuemeka are both ruled out. Christopher Nkunku is back in light training alongside Robert Sanchez, and both could play some parts in midweek when they travel to Arsenal.
Chelsea and Manchester City have met twice already this season, with both games ending in draws. The first was arguably the game of the season, a 4-4 ping-pong that was eventually signed by one of City’s own, Cole Palmer.
Sterling did have a say in the outcome of the game as well; he scored Chelsea’s second goal and provided another; he was also the scorer of Chelsea’s solitary goal in the reverse fixture, which ended 1-1 at the Etihad Stadium.
The FA Cup is one affair that doesn’t have respect for form or history; it’s a show of upsets, and while the champions are favourites to win this game, you don’t want to rule Chelsea out just yet; if anything, expect a fun game.
Nicolas Jackson and Mhykailo Mudryk are both fast and could trouble City; Phil Foden and Jeremy Doku are the responses to that from the other side. Wembley awaits the two sides; which of them will rise to the occasion?