Wembley will host Coventry City vs. Manchester United on Sunday after the match on Saturday.
Since both of the final four games will take place in London at Wembley this weekend, it is FA Cup semifinal weekend in England. Premier League rivals Manchester City versus. reigning European champions Chelsea takes against Manchester United on Sunday, while the more conventional David vs. Goliath showdown between second-tier Coventry City and EPL titans is scheduled for Saturday.
The Blues vs. Sky Blues matchup is a very real possibility in all of this, with both games promising to be exciting and to provide a deserving final that may see the legendary Manchester rivals facing off for silverware. Everyone has a lot to gain this weekend, as Mauricio Pochettino’s team still has a chance to qualify for European soccer through the cup.
Our plots, the way to view the game, and other details are listed below:
Chelsea against Manchester City
Chelsea returns to Wembley after losing the EFL Cup final there previously this season, and City needs to regroup after Real Madrid abruptly ruined their dreams of defending the FA Cup, Premier League, and UEFA Champions League trebles they had won the previous season in midweek. Although Pep Guardiola’s team is still undefeated after 28 games in 90 minutes—a joint record—the fact that they were eliminated as a result of their penalty shootout loss will count as a defeat.
Though Pochettino and his team would love to win one of the two domestic titles still up for grabs after losing to Liverpool earlier in the season, this will be the Londoners’ 27th FA Cup semifinal. The UEFA coefficient position makes it difficult for English clubs to catch up to Chelsea, who have won eight straight EPL games. Nevertheless, this is by far the best and most direct option for the Blues to pursue.
- Time: 12:15 p.m. ET on Saturday, April 20
- Where: Wembley, London, England
- Watch it on: ESPN+
- City -163; Draw +333; Chelsea +380 are the odds.
Team News
City: There are late fitness tests for Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland, and Manuel Akanji, while Kyle Walker’s readiness is in doubt. John Stones and Nathan Ake ought to return, Stefan Ortega might replace Ederson in goal, and Mateo Kovacic and Julian Alvarez might also get starts.
Chelsea: Cesare Casadei is cup-tied following his loan from Leicester City, and Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu, Wesley Fofana, and Romeo Lavia are also out. Levi Colwill has been missing lately, and the players that missed Monday’s victory over Everton were Raheem Sterling, Robert Sanchez, Axel Disasi, and Enzo Fernandez. Conor Gallagher’s placement surrounding the excellent Cole Palmer may depend on Fernandez’s availability to play in midfield alongside Moises Caicedo.
Candidates for the City XI include Ortega, Walker, Stones, Dias, Ake, Rodri, Foden, De Bruyne, Alvarez, Doku, and Haaland.
Palmer, Gallagher, Sterling, Jackson; Caicedo, Fernandez; Gusto, Chalobah, Silva, Chilwell; Petrovic, maybe representing Chelsea.
Expectation
While City recently lost their chance to defend their European championship, Chelsea needs this to maintain their aspirations of qualifying for Europe, so there may be some sort of hangover there. Selection: City 1, Chelsea 2.
United versus Coventry
Thanks to a surprise victory over Premier League team Wolverhampton Wanderers, the championship team is here for just the second time in their existence. Despite the heartbreaking loss to Luton Town in last year’s playoff final on penalties, the Sky Blues, who play in the second tier of English soccer, are hoping to make a comeback to the top table.
With Haji Wright, a USMNT standout who has scored 17 goals, under Mark Robins’ command, Coventry currently has a better chance of winning the FA Cup than making it to the playoffs after losing their last two games. This is necessary for Erik ten Hag and Manchester United to turn around this terrible season, which could end up costing the Dutch strategist his job. Although they defeated Liverpool to advance, the Red Devils have only won once in their previous six games, making them susceptible to a historic cup upset. Coventry should be encouraged by this.
- Time: 10:30 a.m. ET on Sunday, April 21
- Where: Wembley, London, England
- Watch on: ESPN+
- Coventry +450; Draw +375; United -200 are the odds.
Team News
Coventry: Jamaica international Kasey Palmer will be missed due to suspension, but Wright and Ellis Simms have been outstanding up forward for Robins’ Sky Blues thus far, while Callum O’Hare is creative. Although they are without Jamie Allen and Tatsuhiro Sakamoto, Coventry might still pose a threat to United.
Anthony Martial, Scott McTominay, Tyrell Malacia, Luke Shaw, Lisandro Martinez, Raphael Varane, and Jonny Evans are out for United, while Antony is questionable. When United looks to make it to the FA Cup final for the second time in a row, Rasmus Hojlund, Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford, and Alejandro Garnacho should be able to lead the attack. Harry Maguire and Willy Kambwala are anticipated to start in defense once more.
Potential starting lineup for Coventry: Collins, Latibeaudiere, Thomas, Kitching, Bidwell; Van Ewijk, Torp; Sheaf, O’Hare, Wright; Simms.
Onana, Wan-Bissaka, Maguire, Kambwala, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Garnacho, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund are possible members of the United starting lineup.
Expectation
Although there will undoubtedly be moments of tension, United should barely win against a resilient Coventry team that will give it their all. Selection: Coventry 0 – United 1.
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