FA Cup: Chelsea v Manchester City match preview
A look ahead to this weekend's FA Cup semi-final at Wembley
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Your support makes all the difference.Saturday’s meeting between Chelsea and Manchester City is as much a tale of two managers as it is of their respective sides. Rafa Benitez, who has confirmed he will leave Chelsea in May, has maintained his desire to win at least one trophy at Stamford Bridge, while for Roberto Mancini, who has conceded the Premier League title and whose job is under increased speculation, this historic competition is all that remains in terms of silverware.
Current holders Chelsea have dominated the FA Cup over recent years, winning it in four of the last six seasons. In that time they have lost just one of their last seven FA Cup semi-finals and history is very much on their side, too. No ‘away side’ at the new Wembley has won a semi-final in normal time, with Manchester United’s penalty shoot-out victory over Tottenham in 2009, the only time the 'home' side hasn’t progressed in the 10 previous meetings.
City, however, have enjoyed recent success of their own under the arch, winning the cup and their first major trophy in 35 years in 2011. Indeed Mancini, who is likely to be without David Silva for the trip to London, has received backing from former sky blues’ boss, Kevin Keegan, who, in the aftermath of City’s second consecutive victory at Old Trafford, described the Italian as having done a “great job” and dismissed any speculation surrounding his future as “ridiculous”.
KICK-OFF: Sunday, 4pm
PAST THREE MEETINGS…
Manchester City 2 (Y Toure, Tevez) Chelsea 0, Premier League, February 2013
Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0, Premier League, November 2012
Chelsea 2 (Torres, Bertrand) Manchester City 3 (Y Toure, Tevez, Nasri), Community Shield, August 2012
STATS…
Chelsea have never lost a FA Cup semi-final at either the new or old Wembley. Their only recent defeat came at Villa Park in 2006, when they lost to eventual winners Liverpool 2-1.
In the last 10 FA Cup semi-finals, only one team from the second semi-final has gone onto win the trophy – Chelsea (in 2012 and 2007).
Manchester City are unbeaten on the last four occasions these two sides have met – winning three and drawing one.
Roberto Mancini’s side are yet to concede in this year’s competition, scoring 13 unanswered goals in the run up to Wembley.
ODDS…
Chelsea to win: 3.3
Manchester City to win: 2.36
Draw: 3.45
CLASSIC MATCH...
Chelsea 0 Manchester City 0, Premier League, November 2012
Although a game which won’t live long in the memory for action on the field, City’s visit to Stamford Bridge in November was Rafa Benitez’s first game in charge of the West London club. The loud boos which greeted his introduction to the crowd set the tone for what has been a difficult relationship between the Spaniard and Chelsea’s supporters.
TV: Live on ITV 1 at 4pm. Highlights on ITV 1 at 11pm.
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