Chelsea vs Manchester City: prediction, preview, team news / FA Cup 2020-21
The FA Cup is back in action with a crucial semi-final fixture this weekend as Chelsea lock horns with Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.
The two Premier League giants have been impressive in recent weeks and have a point to prove going into this match.
Chelsea are aiming to go one better in the FA Cup after losing to Arsenal in last season’s final, while Man City were knocked out at this stage by the Gunners in the 2019-20 tournament.
Chelsea are currently in fifth place in the league table and have been a resurgent force under Thomas Tuchel this year. The Blues thrashed Crystal Palace in their previous league encounter and will have to play out of their skins in this match.
Manchester City have been exceptional under Pep Guardiola this season and edged Borussia Dortmund to a place in the UEFA Champions League semi-finals earlier this week.
The Cityzens are arguably the favourites to win the FA Cup this season and will be confident ahead of this match.
Chelsea vs Manchester City predictions:
- Manchester City have won 28 of their last 30 fixtures.
- Man City beat Chelsea 3-1 when the teams last met in January.
- Chelsea have lost two of their last four matches.
- Manchester City have scored exactly twice in five of their last six games.
Having lost last year’s FA Cup final to London rivals Arsenal, Chelsea will be determined to go one better in 2021. They have shown some signs of vulnerability for the first time under Thomas Tuchel of late.
The Citizens have now won an incredible 28 of their last 30 games as they continue their relentless assault for trophies on four fronts, however, their 2-1 defeat to Leeds last weekend showed that wholesale rotation from game to game can present problems.
Chelsea have a good record against Manchester City and have won 68 games out of a total of 166 matches played between the two teams. Manchester City have managed 59 victories against Chelsea and have a point to prove in this match.
The previous meeting between the two teams took place earlier this year and ended in an emphatic 3-1 victory for Manchester City. Chelsea struggled to cope with their opponents on the day and will have to be more robust in this encounter.
The two sides last met in the FA Cup during the 2015-16 season, where Chelsea eased to a 5-1 win in the fifth round, but they have tried and failed three times to beat Man City at the new Wembley Stadium since 2013 – most recently losing on penalties in the 2019 EFL Cup final.
Manchester City have exceeded expectations this season and their recent performances hold Pep Guardiola’s tactics in good stead. The Cityzens have had their issues in knock-out matches, however, and will have to be wary of their opponents this weekend.
Chelsea are a formidable force and Thomas Tuchel will want to make a statement against the Premier League’s best team on Saturday. Manchester City have been excellent this season, and hold a slight edge going into this game.
Our prediction: Manchester City win @ 1.87
