Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster
With this season’s FA Cup crown up for grabs on Saturday afternoon, Chelsea and Manchester City will meet at Wembley for what is a heavyweight showdown.
Chelsea
Starting with Chelsea, although the Blues might have been last seen snatching a gritty 1-1 stalemate away at soon-to-be former Premier League champions Liverpool, they find themselves at the heart of an infamous crisis. Breaking a string of unwanted records this season and dealing with a string of high-profile issues behind the scenes in west London, they have already watched both Liam Rosenior and Enzo Maresca leave the club so far this calendar year. Facing a real uphill battle in the race to book any kind of European adventure for next year, Chelsea have astonishingly collected just one-point from any of their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances. Despite punching their return to Wembley last month as they claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Leeds, the Blues will be bracing themselves for another stern examination at Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Chelsea Team News
Set to miss out of Brazil’s World Cup this squad this summer with a hamstring injury, Chelsea will once agains be without 19-year-old Estevao. However, despite missing out away at Anfield last week with concussion, Robert Sanchez is free to return this weekend.
Bagging a ninth Premier League strike of the season against Liverpool last time out and certainly Chelsea’s standout performer in west London, midfield talisman Enzo Fernandez will play a leading role. Skipper Reece James could be handed a first start since March 14th after recently returning from a hamstring issue.
Manchester City
As for Manchester City, while Pep Guardiola’s side might be seeking a miracle in the race to recapture their Premier League crown over the next week, they are enjoying what has been an extended purple patch. Putting in a dominant display on Wednesday night and picking up some perfect momentum thanks to a routine 3-0 victory at home against Europa Conference League finalists Crystal Palace, the one-time Barcelona boss has not seen his superstar squad suffer a single defeat from any of their previous nine appearances across all competitions (eight wins, one draw). Likewise, securing another 3-0 win when they travelled to Stamford Bridge for a Premier League showdown against Chelsea on April 12th, Man City will be confident of producing a repeat performance when they return to Wembley on Saturday afternoon.
Manchester City Team News
Not featuring over the past month after sustaining a groin injury, Manchester City are once again expected to be without former Ballon d’Or winner Rodri. However, aside from the Spanish international, Guardiola’s side have reported a clean bill of health ahead of Saturday’s trip to Wembley.
Handed a full rest against Crystal Palace on Wednesday night, leading marksman and Norwegian icon Erling Haaland will be handed a full recall. Set to be part of Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup squad this summer, James Trafford could replace Gianluigi Donnarumma between the sticks in north London.
Chelsea vs Manchester City Key Factors to Consider
- When Chelsea and Manchester City last met back on April 12th, the Sky Blues secured a thumping 3-0 Premier League victory at Stamford Bridge.
- In fact, Man City are unbeaten in all of their previous 13 consecutive meetings against Chelsea – a run that stems all the way back to May 2021.
- Chelsea have astonishingly claimed just one-point from any of their previous seven consecutive Premier League appearances.
- Guardiola’s men are unbeaten in all of their previous nine consecutive appearances across all competitions (eight wins, one draw).
- Chelsea’s 1-0 FA Cup semi-final victory against Leeds on April 26th is the only clean sheet they have registered against Premier League opposition since the middle of January.
Conclusion
Keeping their fading Premier League title dreams alive earlier in the week as they secured a thumping 3-0 victory at home against Crystal Palace, Manchester City certainly picked up some perfect momentum ahead of Saturday’s trip to the capital. Likewise, landing a routine 3-0 win when they travelled to Stamford Bridge back on April 12th, Guardiola’s side hold a remarkable record against their historic rivals. In fact, unbeaten in all of their previous 13 straight meetings against Chelsea, the Sky Blues will be relishing another trip to Wembley here.
Verdict: Manchester City win
Best Odds: 7/10
Bookmaker: Luckster