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Coventry City vs Manchester United
- Date: Sunday April 21 – 15:30 BST
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London
- Teams: Coventry City vs Manchester United
Coventry City, who sit just outside the Championship Playoff places, face Manchester United in their first FA Cup semi-final since they won the famous trophy in 1987. They beat the Red Devils in the fourth round at Old Trafford enroute to Wembley that season. United are bidding to reach their second successive FA Cup final after finishing runners up to Man City last season.
Coventry boss Mark Robins is an important figure in the history of Manchester United. Robins played a vital role in the Red Devils’ FA Cup win in 1990, the first trophy they won under Sir Alex Ferguson, who led the club through their most successful period. Robins hit the winner in the semi-final, but perhaps more importantly, bagged the winner in the third round against Nottingham Forest. At the time Man United were in 15th position in the league and were out of the EFL Cup. It was rumoured that Ferguson was on the brink of the sack. That win and the subsequent run to the final where they beat Crystal Palace after a replay proved to be a significant turning point in the club’s history,
Coventry City
After making the playoffs last season, Coventry have a chance of repeating this, They will hope to go one better after losing to Luton Town in the final last season. However, it is a trip to Wembley in the FA Cup which has really captured the imagination of their fanbase and after seeing off Midlands rivals Wolves they face Manchester United. Who they beat enroute to their only FA Cup win in 1987.
Manchester United
After an EFL Cup win, an FA Cup final and a third place finish last season, it was expected that Man United would build upon this. However, this season has been disjointed and, while enough results have come to keep Erik ten Hag’s side in the hunt for Europe and to get them to the FA Cup semi-final, performances have often lacked fluency. Ten Hag has not been helped by the injury situation, but this is, clearly, still a team in transition.
Coventry CIty vs Manchester United Odds
The odds for this match are as follows:
Wembley Stadium, London
Prediction
Robins has done a great job with City and the Sky Blues go into the semi-final with no pressure. The FA Cup has a habit of throwing up shocks, therefore it is possible for Coventry to upset the odds. However, Manchester United, naturally, have higher quality players and have greater strength in depth. Man United to win.
Manchester City vs Chelsea
Result: Manchester City 1 Chelsea 0
- Date: Saturday April 20 – 17:15 BST
- Location: Wembley Stadium, London
- Teams: Manchester City vs Chelsea
Holders Manchester City take on Chelsea, who are looking to make their second domestic cup final of the season after they lost to Liverpool in the final of the EFL Cup.
Manchester City
The big games are coming thick and fast for Manchester City. Pep Guardiola’s side are trying to become the first team to win the Premier League, and, indeed, the English top flight, four times in a row. City lost out to Real Madrid on penalties in the Champions League in midweek, ruling out a historic back-to back treble. They will be keen to make amends against Chelsea and keep their hopes of securing the Double alive.
Guardiola will hope to have a fully-fit squad available, however, a number of players face fitness tests as the 120 minutes against Madrid look to have taken their toll. Kevin De Bruyne, Erling Haaland and Manuel Akanji will be monitored and assesed after being substituted prior to the penalities with Guardiola stating that they were unable to continue. Kyle Walker completed 120 minutes in his first start since returning from injury so a decision will be made on whether the England defender is ready for another start on Saturday. Stefan Ortega has kept goal in all of City’s FA Cup ties so far this season and is likely to replace Ederson.
Chelsea
Chelsea are striving to climb out of midtable and avoid a second successive season without European football. Mauricio Pochettino has made progress since taking over in the summer, leading his side to the EFL Cup final. However, The Blues are still struggling for consistency. The FA Cup offers the chance, not only of silverware, but a passage to European football. Chelsea go into the tie on the back of a resounding 6-0 home win over Everton on Monday, where former Man City youngster Cole Palmer helped himself to four goals. This took Palmer level with former teammate Haaland at the top of the Premier League scoring charts.
Reece James, Christopher Nkunku, Lesley Ugochukwu (all hamstring), Wesley Fofana (knee) and Romeo Lavia (thigh) are all still on the injured list while Cesare Casadei is cup-tied. There are doubts over Raheem Sterling, Robert Sanchez (both illness), Axel Disasi and Enzo Fernandez (both unspecified) all of whom missed Monday’s win over Everton. They, along with Levi Colwill, who is due to return from a toe injury, all face fitness tests.
Prediction
Chelsea have done well against Manchester City this season and there is a danger that Palmer could haunt his former club. However, all things being equal, City will have too much for Chelsea and, if they can cope with their relentless schedule. City to win.
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