This weekend's first FA Cup semi-final takes place at Wembley on Saturday, when Manchester City and Chelsea battle it out under the arch for a place in next month’s showpiece (17:15).
City will be looking to bounce back after being knocked out of the Champions League by Real Madrid in midweek while Chelsea have not lost inside 90 minutes in their last 12 games.
- Chelsea or draw double chance
- Cole Palmer to score at anytime
- Rodri to have two or more shots
City Could Be Vulnerable
There is little escaping the fact that Manchester City’s Champions League exit in midweek was a body blow, but it might not just be the result against Real Madrid that took its toll.
City were seen off in a penalty shoot and it is likely that 120 minutes of intense action against another of the best teams in Europe will have drained their energy levels.
So it would perhaps not be a huge surprise if City were not firing on all cylinders - something that star striker Erling Haaland has not been doing in recent weeks in any case - and Mauricio Pochettino’s Chelsea could take advantage.
The Blues are enduring another underwhelming Premier League season, but they have improved lately with their only disappointment in their last 12 games coming in their extra-time defeat to Liverpool the last time they were at Wembley for the Carabao Cup final.
The Blues’ defensive frailties can sometimes be exposed, but the energy they bring to their attacking game will provide City with plenty of food for thought.
With both this season’s league meetings having finished all-square, there looks a strong chance that the game could at least go to extra-time, so backing Chelsea or the draw in the double-chance market could be a solid tactic.
Palmer Can Flourish
Chelsea’s improvement in the second half of the season has been accompanied by some outstanding performances from midfielder Cole Palmer, who has arguably been the signing of the Premier League season.
Palmer moved to Stamford Bridge from City last summer and has shone after being given an opportunity for regular football, scoring 11 goals in his last six matches.
That tally included four in Monday’s 6-0 league win over Everton and he is now central to what Chelsea produce going forward, having contributed 20 goals - as many as last year's Golden Boot recipient Haaland - and nine assists to their league effort.
Expect him to play a leading role for the Blues once again, spurred on by the desire to show his former club exactly what they are missing, and to get on the scoresheet at Wembley.
Rodri To Have A Pop
Manchester City still possess plenty of attacking ability of their own, but one contributor who is overlooked is the scorer of the goal that won them the Champions League last season, Rodri.
As he showed in Istanbul, the Spanish midfield general is not shy when it comes to having an effort on goal, having netted seven times in the Premier League this season.
He has five shots in the 1-1 draw between the teams at the Etihad in February and can have at least two at Wembley on Saturday.
RODRI TO HAVE TWO OR MORE SHOTS
