FA Cup semi-finals preview: Chelsea vs Man City

Defending holders Chelsea will be hoping to beat Man City and progress to their second successive FA Cup final. Should Chelsea manage to outplay Man City and make it through to the FA Cup final, this could be seen as decent result of their otherwise unremarkable season. Man City, in turn are determined to deliver a fight against Chelsea, as this is their last chance of claiming silverware this season. All in all this is a sort of ‘winner takes it all’ situation, as the victorious side will face either Milwall or Wigan in the final.

Chelsea recent form:

Despite losing 3-2 to Rubin in the second leg of their Europa League quarter-finals, the Blues have progressed to the semi-finals of the competition.

What concerns their recent games, the Blues have famously outplayed Man Utd 1-0 in their FA Cup quarterfinal replay, followed by 3-1 victory over Rubin Kazan last Thursday and somewhat lucky 3-1 victory over Di Canio’s Sunderland on Sunday.

Man City recent form:

Man City have recorded six wins in their last seven games. Most importantly they edged Man Utd 2-1 in a tense and heated cross-town derby, which allowed them to retain the slim chances of catching the Premier League leaders. This victory will undoubtedly have an enduring positive effect on the dressing room atmosphere and morale of the players.

Chelsea team news:

Rafa Benitez will undoubtedly reshuffle his squad for the forthcoming game against Chelsea with the likes of Hazard, Mata and Ivanovic poised to return into the starting lineup.

Demba Ba remains a major doubt after picking up an injury in Chelsea’s Premier League 2-1 win over Sunderland.

Gary Cahill (knee) and Ashley Cole (hamstring) are set to miss the clash due to lack of fitness, while midfielder Oriol Romeu will be on the sidelines until the end of the season.

Manchester City team news:

David Silva is set to be assessed by a medical staff ahead of the match in order to determine whether he is fit enough to take part. The playmaker has sustained an injury during 2-1 win over Manchester United on Monday.

Despite Micah Richards returning to full training following his long-term injury, he is unlikely to be back into first-team action. Maicon (hamstring) and Rodwell (knee) are on team’s long-term injury list and will definitely miss the game.